Today is celebrated as “Social Media Day”. While part of the reason behind the day is to
welcome the world to sit back for a moment and reflect on the widespread changes social media and the digital revolution have provided us. Source
I wanted to share why I find it important to unplug from social media..at least every now and then.
As bloggers and content creators, we all want to stay updated on the latest, engage and stay connected with our audience and drive traffic to our blogs. Our social media outlets are generally the preferred way to accomplish all of this. It seems like we’re always tweeting, pinning, posting, tumbling, recording and instagramming. Thankfully, due to constantly evolving technology, we are also able to schedule our interaction so our accounts don’t go “dry”.
Well, I’ll be the first to admit that I sometimes allow my accounts to be a “ghost town” for a few days, mainly on the weekends *GASP*
If you allow it to, social media can consume you. I shared a post on Facebook yesterday from Hey Fran Hey, who so eloquently summed up why unplugging from social media is so important.
We’ve become so consumed with what’s happening on social media that we forget to take time to enjoy life, our life. I know I have been guilty of trying to have a conversation with my husband, while “multi-tasking” on Facebook or Instagram…no bueno. My friends and I often joke that “if it’s not posted on social media, then it didn’t really happen”. It may sound funny, but it’s true.
Don’t get me wrong, I love social media but I like to maintain a healthy balance between it and “real life”.
Social media is the reason why many of us were able to accomplish a lot of the things we’ve accomplished. I have made friends, formed relationships and gotten many opportunities, and built two businesses with the help of social media. I’m so grateful for all of these blessings.
However, unplugging every now and then is important to me, and I’ve made it a point to take time off (mainly on the weekends) to have read, watch a movie, go to the lake and generally enjoy life’s simple pleasures without the distractions of social media. It’s a great way to refresh, renew and recharge your mind and body.
READ ALSO: Why Self Care is Non-Negotiable for Me
YOUR TURN: Do you “detox” or unplug from Social Media? Do you think there is such a thing as “too much” social media? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Until next time
For a while now I’ve been wanting to take a few hours a day to “unplug” I know my little one won’t be little forever and I don’t want to feel like I wasted time on other things and missed all these cute stages he’s going through!
Yes! Time goes by so quickly Sarah. It’s important to take the time to enjoy those moments.
Thanks so much timely reminder that at the end of the day. There are other things and people that matter. At time to recenter ourselves is so necessary especially if we want to provide great content.
You’re welcome Kimberly. Yes, that’s so important. If we’re frazzled and all over the place the quality of our content will suffer. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I try to take off on Sunday but even that day is hard. I did take off last week Friday because I was burnt out and it felt good. I have a lot of my stuff scheduled out on hootsuite so I am not actually on social media daily which is a huge time saver.
Yes, scheduling is a great way to “be present” without actually being present. I schedule as much as possible when I can.
I usually take one weekend day off every week from social media. I need to just take the apps off of my phone! But for that one day, I’m not on facebook or twitter. I can’t give up instagram for some reason, but I manage to post on it, but not scroll through! LOL
lol..that’s when we know it’s real. A friend of mine just did this recently and she told me it felt good. Instagram is so addicting. I’m guilty of scrolling through when I should be in bed.
I removed Facebook from my phone several months ago and have not missed it one bit! I only had Twitter on my phone for a very short time and uninstalled it. I totally agree. I like real live face time with friends and family!
Yes! Way to go Shirley.
I usually take the weekends off from social media and blogging. I do try out new recipes and have photo sessions, but unplugging really helps me to regroup. Sometimes, I’ll slow down on Thursdays as well. I’ll revive an oldie but goody post and share it on social media for Throwback Thursday. Then I’m done for the day.
I so agree Alli. Yes, I love recycling old posts that way too. Great way to repurpose content and be present without actually being there. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I definitely need to schedule time where i detox from social media. I’m one of those who’s checking FB before bed and Instagram when I wake up!
Yes girl. Balance is necessary. Social media is addicting and consuming. Take small steps and you’ll see a big difference.
Blogging is very time consuming and social media sucks up a lot of that time. I try not to post on Sunday. However, I do read other blogs on the weekends. It would be great if I could have blog free weekends, but I just feel like I have so much to do. I think unplugging more would be great for me.
Yes it does. Sometimes I have to unplug just to get stuff done. It’s quite the balancing act 🙂
I am working more on unplugging from Social Media. It’s hard, especially since I’m trying to get my own blog really up and going. But, I do work on not getting buried in all the drama that happens online. So much of the stuff on there is worthless anyway. I do admit it can be a challenge not to get sucked in, though. Great post and I’m glad I stopped by! Oh, and thanks for stopping by my site!
Hey Marie, I totally understand and I agree. Thanks so much for stopping by as well.
Great post. I also read the post by Hey Fran Hey on IG and she expressed how I feel perfectly. I think it’s important to take a break from social media every now and then. Sometimes it’s hard to do when you’re in the process of building your brand, but a break is definitely needed so you can enjoy life and not just post about it.
Thank you so much. Yes, you’re so right. When you’re building it’s hard to take breaks because you have to constantly “grind”. It a delicate balance, but I always remind myself that I don’t want to have built something and have no one to share it with 🙂 Balance is key. I love how you put that… “so you can enjoy life and not just post it”. Love that. Thanks for stopping by.
Girl… you speak truth! Hubby had to “sit me down” and tell me nicely, kinda, (LOL) that I had let social media- Instagram in particular- consume me. Not. Good. I’ll admit, I WAS hooked once I got adjusted to it, which is hilarious because, for months, I fought joining IG in the first place! 🙂 I’ve gotten much better and it’s hard as a blogger who wants to stay connected and “relevant” but, yes, time to just chill w/o feeling the need to post is necessary.
I feel Fran on every point made. Demetria Lucas made similar comments about watching people’s “perfect” lives on social media during the In Her Shoes Blog anniversary panel. I took it to heart. Unplugging is definitely good for us. My time with the hubster is OUR time… and he makes sure of that with a gentle reminder, if needed LOL! Great post. You’ve inspired me.
lol…girl sometimes we need someone to tell us about ourselves *nicely*.
Funny thing is I avoided IG for a long time too, then I got on and was like “oooh”.
Girl yes, I always say you can be anyone you want to be on social media and can easily for the hype if you’re not careful. I’ve been wanting to share this for a long time and this was the perfect opportunity. Thanks Toia.