Is It Time To Go On A Social Media Diet?

Posted December 20, 2019 by Prairie Wife - 1 comment

This is a post that has been on my mind for a few weeks now.

In the last week, I’ve had several conversations with friends about this topic, so I think it’s time to chat about it with you.

I’ve talked about breaking up with your phone on here before (a couple of times actually).

I totally admit to having issues with spending too much time involved with the online and social media world rather than dealing with the real world.

I HAVE to be on social media for work. For the radio station, and to help to spread our message of “grit and grace” for this blog. But, just like the dog in the movie “UP” (squirrel) 9 times out of 10 I head to Instagram or Facebook with a work based purpose and end up watching yet another messy bun YouTube tutorial.

I also 100% admit that I have my negative Nancy moments. Looking at all those social media gurus I find myself thinking,  “ugh why can’t I take pictures like that” or “I need to figure out how to get more followers on Instagram” and “why didn’t I take the time to do yoga today.” And don’t even get me started on how I feel if I get sucked into a stream of political tweets and comments. If we’re being real, there are also certain people that seem to get on my nerves with their passive-aggressive posts, vague booking, and hypocrisy.

I KNOW that I’m looking at life through a filter when I’m on social media. I KNOW that it’s not real, but sometimes I just end up feeling yucky and all meh after I’ve been scrolling through Instagram or Facebook. And of course, then I look up and see I just wasted half an hour of my life doing nothing productive.

A few of my friends have recently informed me they are taking a social media break, going cold turkey and quitting it all.

I love that they have enough perspective to notice that social media is causing them more harm than good.

I have no doubt a break will give them lots of free time and perhaps lead to a better outlook on their life.

Quitting social media isn’t an option for me, and frankly, I don’t want to.

Besides needing to use social media for work, I use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family around the world. I enjoy scrolling through Instagram and being inspired, and I absolutely love connecting with my readers in a more personal way through the comments.

As many cringe-worthy posts as I see, I come across way more inspiring ones.

As often as political posts have raised my blood pressure, I’ve been brought to happy tears with an article or video showing the kindness that exists in the world.

But I KNOW I have to do better.

So, I came up with going on a social media diet.

When you go on a diet you pick and choose what’s healthy for you. You limit your portion control and you even set aside certain times you should and shouldn’t eat. You’re intentional about what you put in your body and think before you eat. Sometimes you overindulge or slip up, but you can always start over again the next day.

I’m using the same approach with social media, and my phone in general (because texts can be just as distracting)

There are certain times of day that I will no longer be on social media, and as always, I will be better about enforcing our “no phone at the table” rule. I will continue to keep my phone put away when I’m spending quality time with friends and family. I’m upping my game by saying no more phone when the TV is on and I’m watching something with The Cowboy or Cowkids (I know I can’t be the only one).

I’m going to be more intentional with my phone use. No going to do something on Instagram and then checking all my other accounts too “since I’m there.”

And I’m going to do a “three strikes and you’re out rule”. If a person or account makes me feel like bunk three times in a row I’m going to unfollow, mute or hide them.

I think this is a good fit for me right now, and that these small changes are going to add up to me feeling more positive and productive.

If you follow us on Instagram and Facebook you already know we work really hard to keep it real. So I don’t plan to make any changes to what we’re doing!

You’ll still be able to find posts of a messy house, fashion-loving posed pics, tired makeup and filter-free selfies, silly boomerangs, selfies where I’m loving my look, and quotes of every kind (funny, thoughtful, happy, intellectual, sad, silly, and inspirational).

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Do you think YOU should give a social media diet a try?

Categories: Life As It Happens, Prairie Life

Tags: , diet, facebook, health and wellness, instagram, life changes, mental health, phone safety, phone use, social media, social media diet