It has become second nature for us to pick up our phones and log on to our social media profiles immediately after waking up.
We mindlessly scroll through hundreds of posts. We comment, we react, we ‘like’ and we ‘share’. Many of us prefer not to think of the disadvantages of social media, because of how dependent we are on it as a form of entertainment — a way to kill boredom.
For many of us, it is an unknown addiction. And for those of you who want to give up social media, here are some useful tips.
1. Realise how much time you spend on it
The reality check itself is scary as heck. Do you even know how many times you pick up your phone and use each of these social apps, whether it’s to scroll through or post? It’s a lot more than you think.
Many people admitted recently, in a survey done by IKEA, that as soon as they wake up, they check phone before they speak to their partner, and on average 60 per cent will look at an electronic device within five minutes of waking up. Once you are aware of how much you use and depend on social media, you’ll begin to understand the severity of your addiction.
2. Don’t give it up all at once
A smart way to go about it, is to stop one platform at a time. Start with you least favourite one, or the one that saddens you the most. (Yes, social media takes a heavy toll on mental health) One of the popular image-sharing platforms, causes high levels of anxiety and depression. So kick one of these habits to the curb, then the other then the last one.
3. Uninstall the apps
If you’re too worried about deleting your account entirely, you should at least remove the app icon from your phone. At first you will find yourself checking your phone, as if it was a muscle memory, to find the icons and tap on it, but the more you find no social media icons there, the less you start to check your phone, which is exactly the right path you want to take to freedom.
4. Download other apps
Whenever I wanted less social media in my life, I would start downloading news apps, or quirky apps like Bustle or Buzzfeed, so I can get my fix of “looking at my phone” without browsing social media. It’s a weird thing that I just felt like I needed to do.
I would read the news, I would catch up on the latest beauty products or I’d download books or TV shows that I could fill my time with instead. Ideally, the best thing to do would be to create non-mobile, real life experiences that take you away from your phone and connect you to other human beings.
5. Enjoy your air of mystery
While everyone these days has a social media account, enjoy the opportunity of living a “retro” life, where people can’t virtually follow you, or know all your private information. It feels liberating and great.
There’s no online stalking, companies won’t be able to use the personal information that you disclose on social media and target ads to you. You will know who your real friends are and you can just enjoy a real and meaningful life.
