hiatus n. a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process.
Social media is consuming my life and energy these days. If I’m not at work, sleeping, or blogging, I’m probably scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. It’s gotten to the point where I haven’t even finished a book in over 2 months. Talk about some serious distractions.
I feel like I’ve spent so much of my time and energy hyperfocusing on the events of 2020. If it’s not the election, it’s COVID. If it’s not COVID, it’s racial reconciliation. If it’s not racial reconciliation, it’s family drama. And the list goes on and on! I feel downright inundated by the world and it’s constant noise. And sometimes the best form of self care for our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health is to step away.
Social media breaks should be a regular part of our routine. Truthfully, I don’t always schedule mine, but I do try to take at least one day off a week to focus on living my life. If you think about it, we rarely are given the opportunity to completely disconnect. Most of our jobs and workplaces require us to be in constant contact. But if you’re able, I highly recommend intentionally going on a social media hiatus.
1. Social Media is Addicting
If you haven’t already watched the Social Dilemma on Netflix, please go and watch it. The producers go into great detail about how each social media outlet was created with the intent of addiction. So it’s no wonder why we spend hours of our day glued to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and the like. Taking time away from our devices helps us to build a healthier relationship with them. Don’t believe me, just try it and see if it changes your reliance on social media. You may be surprised how much you enjoy life without it!
2. Disconnecting Allows for Reconnecting with Your People
When was the last time you spent time with your husband, wife, friends, or family and devices weren’t involved? I can honestly say that it happens very rarely in my family. I wish we took more time to be in each other’s presence without the influence of social media, but it’s not a frequent occurrence. Am I to blame? Partly, but sometimes it takes the simple act of saying “no phones allowed” to get everyone’s focus on the present moment. A joint disconnect could be the key to helping you reconnect with the ones you love.
3. Hiatuses Help With Perspective
Social media reinvented the comparison game. Every time I go onto Instagram or Pinterest, I’m bombarded with perfectly curated pictures and posts. Do you ever wonder if bloggers really are THAT perfect or if it’s just a façade? I mean everyone on social media can’t possibly have the perfect marriage, family, body, wardrobe, and life? Seems a little too Stepford Wives to me. But taking time away from the constant comparison can help you gain perspective about your own life. You may not have it all together, but I’m guessing you still have a lot to be thankful for. Unplug from the highlight reels and join reality, you may even seen the world in a new light.
4. Live Life in the Present
Nothing quite hits like the pang of regret. I never want to look back on a season of my life and feel like I could have done more or been more present. But distractions can be the biggest personal roadblock to seizing the day. So if you feel like you aren’t living in the here and now, try putting your phone away while having a conversation with a friend or family member. It may be exactly what you need to embrace the present moment.
5. You Can’t Pour From An Empty Cup
Comparison and the constant influx of information is emotionally draining. If you aren’t finding time to rest and invest in your mental and spiritual health, you’re gonna find it challenging to do the work you need to do. Whether that’s being a parent, running a small business, teaching, or being a loving spouse. In order to be a good wife, mom, friend, and co-worker, you need to invest in yourself. Taking a break from social media could mean more time to read a good book, spend quality time with your kids, get to know your neighbors, and invest in who you love. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Have you ever taken a social media hiatus?
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