Oh what a reality check. Digital addiction is real.
Monday Morning I decided I was not going to spend another week doom scrolling viral Reels. The scarier part is I don’t even have TikTok… I found that I needed a detox for a few reasons. First, my attention span has significantly decreased. I can’t go a whole song anymore without skipping to the next. The second reason being if a video no longer hooks my interest in the first 3-5s, I move on. I don’t even have the patience anymore to sit through the entire 20s-1min video. Sad.
I am documenting my experience for 1 week on deleting Instagram to track how I feel and whether I recommend it. As well as what I learned. I will preface this experiment with I’ve gotten really good at not utilizing my phone in the morning. When I wake up, I put my phone on the charger and go about my day. The first time I am opening social media is way past my morning routine. But once I start, I can’t stop. Hence the challenge below.
Day 1: Monday
Deleted app in the morning
Withdrawal symptoms
Re-downloaded the app around 1 pm to message someone
Deleted app again
Scrolled other apps at night like LinkedIn and Snapchat
20+ times I tried to search app in my phone (muscle memory)
Day 2: Tuesday
Have not searched for the app in my phone
Utilizing different applications like YouTube
Had motivation to workout and meditate
Felt okay going to bed with no scroll
For the first time in a long time, I sat down on the couch and watched TV without my phone glued to my hand. As of recently, anything I am watching on TV is blocked by hand scrolling my phone. I gave my undivided attention to the show, which was a change of pace for me.
Day 3: Wednesday
Have not felt the need to search the app
Feeling at peace and taking less performative photos
Taking photos for myself less for others/sharing
Dedicating my free time to working on other projects
Grounding myself by making dinner
Day 4-Day 7
I went the weekend without Instagram, gasp! It sounds so much harder than it is. Days 1-3 were definitely a sense of withdrawal. But once Day 3 was over, the shackles were busted off. I was able to stay present in the weekend. Taking photos because I wanted to and not because I wanted to share with the world what I was up to.
This cleanse reminded me that your life is sacred and what you share with the internet is your choice.
While I am excited to download Instagram again, I will take note that it felt good to not have the app downloaded to my phone. My goal is to set daily time limits on Instagram so I don’t fall victim to the mindless scroll. If you’re thinking about doing a digital detox, let me put you on. I feel lighter already.
xx