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If you are looking to regain focus, clarity, and balance in your life, then a social media detox could be just what you need. The duration and extent of a social media detox experience can vary greatly, but you should probably plan on setting aside at least a full week if you want to get the best results.
For that one week, you will need to resist the urge to check your phone for updates, alerts, and messages. In fact, you will stop checking social media entirely, and will stop creating any kind of content for social media. And you will focus, instead, on the immediate world around you.
Yes, I know this might sound terrifying if you are used to spending several hours online each day. But, trust me, it can really pay off if you stick to the plan. Here’s what you can expect.
Positive effects of a detox
Let’s start with the positive effects of a social media detox. Most people report being more attuned to their feelings, emotions, and thoughts during a detox. That’s because you have more quiet time alone. Instead of feeling like you are constantly busy at all times of the day and night, you might have some free time opening up for self-exploration.
Moreover, your emotions will not continually be on a giant roller coaster ride. Social media can be a hotbed of polarizing content that is specifically designed to trigger you. The big social media companies call this engagement, and it’s usually most effective if you are angry, sad, or exhilarated. Thus, your emotions are always at one extreme or another with social media. That all changes once you give up social media.
You’ll also probably start to rediscover some of your older hobbies. All of a sudden, you will have more room in your calendar for the things that you enjoy in life. For some people, that might be more time to read a book they have been meaning to read for months. For others, it might be a hobby like cooking, or exercising, or simply catching up with real-life friends – not your Facebook friends.
And, finally, you’ll start to become more aware of the surroundings around you. When you go out for dinner, for example, you won’t be so obsessed with taking Instagram-worthy photos of your food. If you’re working out at the gym, you’ll no longer spend time in front of the mirrors, taking photos to post on social media. And if you’re hanging out with someone in your family, your conversation won’t be interrupted every few minutes by pings, alerts, and messages. In short, you’ll begin to live in the moment once again.
Negative effects of a detox
While all these effects are fantastic and hugely positive, just keep in mind that there can be some negative effects as well. This is what many people forget. For example, you may no longer be “in the know” about current trends, events, or news. Instead of getting updates every few minutes about the latest trend on social media, you may need to wait to hear it from your friends first.
You may also start to miss the interactions with your social media friends. In most cases, you probably won’t have any other way to contact and reach out to these people without social media, and you might feel an immediate sense of loss. Hopefully, this will push you to reach out to your in-real-life (IRL) friends instead.
And, finally, you might start making subtle lifestyle changes without even realizing it. You might decide that there’s no reason to cook an amazing-looking dinner on a Saturday night if you aren’t planning to post any photos on Instagram later. Or you might decide to read the books you really enjoy, rather than the ones that are being pushed by social media influencers.
Enjoy the detox
On balance, of course, a social media detox has more positives than negatives. In fact, it’s not out of the question that you might decide to give up social media entirely after a detox. At the very least, you’ll gain more appreciation and insight into your daily routine, and you might decide to make some of your temporary lifestyle changes permanent. If that pushes you to be the best version of yourself, then you can thank a social media detox for that.
