4 signs its time for a social media detox
our lives are consumed with media. no matter how hard you try to avoid the negative aspects of media, you’re never going to be able to out run them. imposter syndrome, the comparison trap, screen time limits are things we all know too well. but here’s the thing, you don’t have to let media consume you or your thoughts rent free. here are four signs its time for a social media detox & how to do one! protect your energy, friend — it’s important.
4 signs its time for a social media detox:
sign #1 - comparison feedback loop.
if you find yourself getting jealous, wishing you had what someone else has, or maybe you’re even getting frustrated with your own journey then you’re caught up in the comparison feedback loop. this feedback loop can take a huge toll on your mental health if you let it run wild & free in your thoughts — trust me, i’ve been there. you might start to have negative self talk or lean into your fear-based beliefs. its time for a social media detox, if you’re experiencing this!
sign #2 - creativity slump.
over consumption of media can lead us right into a creativity slump. we are all creative beings and can use our gifts, passions, and skills creatively if we allow our creativity to flourish. but when we consume media for several hours every single day, we tell ourselves lies & create excuses. we tell ourselves that the things we create aren’t good enough or that they won’t be liked enough when we share them with the world. this turns into a creativity slump. we allow media to take all of the joy from our creativity. we lose sight of the process and finding joy in the creative journey. so if you’re in a creativity slump, its probably time for social media detox.
sign #3 - when you’re trying to be like everyone else.
i’ve noticed sooooo many girls lately wearing practically the exact same outfit + it makes me really sad because media has told us we have to look a certain way to be accepted. then there was this huge shift in the mid-2010s to create a movement of owning your uniqueness. but now — since we consume so much media — our “uniqueness” looks like everyone else’s because we’re consuming the same things. whether its the clothes you wear, the words you say, the photos or videos you share, the music you listen to, the hobbies you take up — it doesn’t matter what the thing is — but when you find yourself being like everyone else that’s not a good thing. you’ve essentially masked what makes you special & replaced it with what’s trending. if this is you, its time for a social media detox.
sign #4 - consuming with no purpose.
social media is addictive. we mindlessly pick up our phones, unlock the screen, tap the app icon, and scroll down 5 posts before we even realize what we’ve just done. why? because its a habit that we’ve become addicted to. whether you’re bored or you just find yourself picking up your phone to scroll for no reason then its time for a social media detox. you can be doing so many better things with your time instead of consuming content with no purpose for hours on end.
So how do you do a social media detox?
get clear on why you use or how you want to use your social media app.
is it to connect with people?
is it to boost your ego?
is it to serve your followers?
is it to promote your business?
is it a fun creative outlet?
create energetic boundaries.
if social media changes your mood or energy after you open the app, its time to assess how the app is affecting you.
if someone you follow makes you think negatively or drains your energy, set a boundary. this can look like muting their stories or posts and if necessary unfollowing them. your energy and how you protect it should be one of your highest priorities.
set at minimum one day a week without social media or your phone.
set a time limit for the app to remind you when its time to turn off the app.
be mindful.
mindfulness & being consciously aware is one of the best practices you can implement with social media. notice how you feel when you see someone’s content. notice your reasons for opening the app & set an intention before you open the app.
take extra time away from the app when you need it (but don’t replace it with mindlessly scrolling another social media app!!)
There are so many good things that come from social media but when we let the negative aspects consume us, its time to evaluate our overconsumption. I hope this give you some ideas for how to know its time for a social media detox & how To do one. if you’ve done a social media detox before i’d love to hear what you did & how it made you feel in the comments!
xo,
ally
p.s. if you like this blog post, you should read my post called 15 free things to do other than mindlessly scroll social media.
