LIFE

Go check your phone's screen time. Higher than you expected, right? Our phones are like an extension of ourselves. They're always with us, we use them constantly, and the mere sound of a ding sends us compulsively looking for it. The reason for this? Social media. 

Social media runs our lives. We wake up? We check social media. We're anxious? We check social media. We're with friends? We check social media. We scroll for hours on TikTok, barely even conscious of what we're watching because we're addicted to scrolling. We compare ourselves constantly with unhealthy and unattainable standards of beauty. 

A social media break is a key to cultivating a healthier lifestyle. Here are some signs that taking a break is what you need right now.

You find yourself not living in the moment

We've all been there. You're hanging out with your besties and suddenly, everyone's on their phone. Do you ever stop to ask yourself what you're doing? We should be enjoying the time we're spending with others, but instead, we're mindlessly scrolling. If your phone is getting in the way of other activities, definitely consider taking a break from social media. You'll immediately find yourself more present, which is the key to loving life.

You view yourself through the lens of social media

Social media is always pushing the "ideal" into our faces. The ideal aesthetic, the ideal body type, the ideal life. Because of this, it's impossible not to compare every aspect of your life with what you see on social media. Comparing yourself to others on social media is not only harmful to your mental health, but it distracts you from the incredible ways in which you're unique! Taking a social media break literally reminds you who you are. Going without the constant consumption of harmful standards sheds light on those unique aspects of yourself without comparison.

You're always on your phone

We're not advising this btw...

Remember when I asked you to check your screen time? If you're not happy with how high it is, pull yourself away from your phone by deleting social apps. Without the ability to open Instagram as a nervous crutch, or scroll through TikTok when you have nothing else to look at, you're bound to spend a lot less time looking at a screen. 

You don't feel fulfilled

Do you ever just binge content on Instagram? You're clicking on account after account, and suddenly, you look at the clock and it's been two hours. Then you feel jaded, maybe you have a headache too, and you don't really want to do anything else. Spending less time on your phone with no social media will help you feel more vibrant, and waste fewer hours scrolling.

Your days feel clumped together, and the time you could spend doing activities you enjoy, you spend on social media. All of those hours make for you not feeling great at the end of the day. If you don't feel good—and you're not sure what to do about it—start with a social media break. 

The first time I took a social media break, my world absolutely changed. It grounded me in my life because I was more observant and appreciative of the environment and people that surround me. It's simple: when you're on your phone less, life is better.

People are hesitant to pull themselves away from social media, which makes sense considering it's such an integral part of our lives. But it doesn't have to be permanent. Try it out for a week: delete Instagram, TikTok, and whatever other apps you want to rid yourself of and see how you feel. Do you have more fun? Are jokes with your friends that much funnier? Do you smile at people in the street? Do you love yourself more? If there's one thing I can promise you, it's that you won't regret it.

Frontpage image: Becca Tapert on Unsplash.

by Ari Sheinberg | 6/16/2021