Practicing What I Preach: My Social Media Detox Journey

As a business and sales coach, my mission is to help others become the best version of themselves. But if I’m expecting my clients to work on themselves, I have to hold myself to the same standard. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that I have a problem—I’m addicted to social media. And it’s not just a small issue; it’s something that has been taking away precious time I could be using more productively.

So, I made a decision: for Q4 of 2024, I’m focusing on breaking this habit. I picked up a tool to help me out: the Brick. It’s a little device that turns your phone into a “dumb phone,” where all you can really do is make phone calls and send texts. You can schedule what apps are accessible and when, which forces you to break away from the mindless scrolling. Sounds like a great idea, right? Well, it hasn’t been as easy as I thought.

Week 1: The Struggle Is Real

This past week, I made an honest attempt at using the Brick to cut down my social media usage. I have to admit, though, it’s been tougher than I expected. Despite setting limits, I still found myself spending close to an hour on Instagram during the week. That might not seem like a lot, but it’s time I could’ve been using for more meaningful activities—reading, exercising, or spending quality time with my son.

During the day, the Brick worked pretty well. I’d reach for Instagram, only to realize I’d already locked it out. That was a win—it helped me become more aware of just how automatic that habit has become. But the real challenge hit in the evenings. With my wife out of town for work, it was so tempting to just zone out, grab my phone, and scroll. Those quick dopamine hits were far too easy to fall back into.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

The whole point of this challenge is to reclaim that lost time and use it for things that really matter to me. So, moving into this next week, I’m doubling down on my commitment. Not only will I be using the Brick during the day, but also in the evenings, which is when I’ve been struggling the most.

The truth is, this journey isn’t just about cutting down social media—it’s about becoming more intentional with how I spend my time. Whether it’s reading, exercising, or spending time with loved ones, I want to make sure that every minute is used in a way that aligns with my values and goals.

Let’s Do This Together

I know I’m not alone in this. Whether it’s breaking the habit of social media, losing weight, or improving your career, we’re all working on something. The key is to be consistent and hold yourself accountable. It’s not about being perfect, but about showing up every day and doing the work.

So, what’s your challenge? What’s the habit you want to break or the goal you want to achieve? Let’s take the next 70 days to work on it together. I’ll be documenting my progress, sharing the wins and struggles, and I want you to be a part of this journey.

Hit subscribe to follow along, and let’s make these 70 days count.

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