Social Media Cleanse

Social media is both a curse and a blessing. It's a blessing because as if the world isn't small already, we make it smaller by staying connected and in the loop by uploading everything to a single site. This is good don't get me wrong because now things are much simpler and people are easy to reach when you need them, but there is a bad thing to this too. Have you ever sat and thought what you use to do in your free time before social media? Let's see, there was playing outside, playing games online or board/card games, going out and actually doing something like the movies or even something productive like... homework. Social media has made life simpler, yet made people lazier. Social media makes it okay for guys to DM a girl instead of going out to meet the girl and asking her face to face. Social media has made networking okay to do via email rather than scheduling meetings. Social media has made it okay for people to only think of you when they see you on their timeline instead of calling or texting every now and again to check in. Social media essentially has made the world... less social. 

On Tuesday November 28, 2017 I decided to go on a social media cleanse. It was random. I just woke up (in my feelings) and it triggered me to go on this cleanse to see a few things. For one, to see who I would actually still communicate with while not popping up on timelines. For two, to unconsciously find new things to do instead of spending hours on my phone. Lastly, to really get into this school project (a survey about social media, the down sides, the business side, why people use it and the ages/people who use it). From this, I hope to gain a perspective on myself and my own life. Revolving my life around social media can't be good when there's a whole world out there that deserves to be seen, people to be met and memories to be made. It shouldn't take for me to post a picture for people to suddenly be concerned with how I've been and what I'm up to. Social media is for fun (can be for business), but it should not consume my entire life. 

Day 1 of the cleanse was a breeze. This was the day i randomly decided to embark on it, so all day my motivation level was high and my determination level was even higher. 

Day 2 of the cleanse was a little less enthusiastic. This was around the time I started to get bored and frustrated because I didn't quite know how to occupy my time, but I continued to stand firm in my decision. 

Day 3 was a little depressing because this was the day I started to realize just how many people I do not talk to if I am not present on social media. I started to realize that without social media the same people I always talk to were the same ones checking in on me and making small talk. Which was fine because this was the purpose of the cleanse right? 

Day 4 I anticipated anxiety because the cleanse was getting closer to being over. On this day I actually went out and did something with my life. I went to a couple places with my friend and it was honestly awkward because I was out and didn't focus on my phone at all, which I typically do. You know how us girls go out, get cute, take pictures and snap all night... nope, by being on this cleanse, it forced me to really live in the moment (which I've been told I do not do) and utilize what was around me to have fun. 

Day 5 wasn’t as bad because I was busy. While doing a video shoot you can’t really be on your phone, so that helped with taking my mind off of my phone. (Even though there were many times I just wanted to hop on snapchat just to use my favorite filter to produce the bombest of the bomb selfie.) 

Day 6 was calming as I had another busy day that distracted me from the thought of being on my phone. It was also filled with a little reflecting which was the purpose of the cleanse. While reflecting I really had to face some of the harsh truths I realized while on this cleanse. 

On Tuesday December 5, 2017 my social media cleanse was complete. I was beyond proud of myself because prior to this cleanse, I would wake up on my phone, fall asleep on my phone and sometimes be on my phone when I shouldn’t have been, stopping me from doing things I actually needed to do. From this cleanse I was able to gain more understanding on how other’s operate (which was good and bad realizations). During this cleanse, I spoke to the same people I always do. I sometimes found myself forcing conversations with people just because I was bored, but through doing this I realized who thought about me/actually enjoyed holding conversations with me and who only cares for temporary moments. I also learned just how much you can get done without being glued to your phone. Being off social media halted me from being in my feelings online and allowing people to see me vulnerable. It also prevented me from reaching out to people I had no business conversing with. There were also some down things to this cleanse, as I realized that some of my most important connections were via social media. Being without it closed the line of communication with these people. Overall, this cleanse showed me the difference between wanting and needing it. It now allows me to monitor how much time I really spend on it and the many other ways I can occupy my time. Would I suggest a cleanse? Why not? Test your limits, take a break and ease your mind. In the end you may come back more in tune and feel a sense of control over your habits.