Ask yourself these questions:
Do I find myself checking my notifications often to see the latest likes and comments on my various accounts?
Does my heart beat a little faster when Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat/Tumblr etc. isn’t working well?
When I’m on the phone, do my friends whisper to each other that I must be on the ‘Gram?
If you answered yes to any of those questions…I did, too! You’re not alone.
Many of us, myself included, are tied to our social media accounts. We love updating, posting, sharing. For some of us, social media is our business, a viable way to promote ourselves and our abilities. And let’s be honest: social media is also fun. You can be creative, feel connected, laugh, think, and share your point of view. But as with everything else in life, sometimes we do too much. It’s very easy for social media to become an addiction and this is when injecting moderation into our usage of it becomes necessary. Let’s talk about three reasons why sometimes a social media break is more than necessary:
Because Taking a Break = Not Going Crazy About Notifications
Sometimes I post a photo and find myself waiting eagerly to see the likes, the comments, etc. Which means I’m checking my phone over and over again. Which means I’m doing too much. A lot of that has to do with the instant gratification that comes with using social media. We live in an instant gratification type of world, where we prefer delight without delay. Newsflash, though: sometimes we need to just chill. Honestly. The anticipation of waiting to see the results of what you’ve shared can be disconcerting and drive you a little up the wall, can’t it? When that feeling takes over, it’s time to mute the phone and take your mind off the notification game.
Because Taking a Break Reminds You of Real Life
What do I mean? Unfortunately, social media tends to blur the lines between reality and curated reality. Very rarely are you going to see the hard times people go through on social media. On the contrary, people are typically living their best lives: enjoying great times with friends and family, experiencing amazing travels and events. All with a lovely filter. Don’t get me wrong! Those things are great and should be shared. After all, very few of us are logging on to hear/see sad stories and lives. The issue is believing that what you’re seeing is evidence of a perfect life. It may make you angry. Even jealous. But there’s no such thing as a perfect life or a perfect reality. When you take a social media break, you remember that. You even decide that some of the wonders of life don’t need a picture that must be shared.
Because Taking a Break Simply Feels Great
When I’m working or busy with other things and don’t think about social media, it’s actually quite freeing. Rather than documenting my life, I’m simply living it. There’s not much else to add to this. Take some time to simply live and enjoy your life without pausing to check your accounts.
All in all, as with everything in life, balance and moderation are key. Social media has its rewards, for sure, but it also has its moments when stepping away to enjoy the moment and for a little self-care is always good for the soul.
Thanks for reading! How do you take your social media breaks? Do you think there’s value is unplugging for a while? Let’s chat about it in the comments below!
For more of my writing, check out my lifestyle blog at www.okyerewa.com. You can also find and follow me on the ‘Gram @frowriter.
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- Give Me a Break: Why Social Media Breaks Are Necessary! - April 11, 2018
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