Recently I took a two week hiatus from all social media. It was much needed and surprisingly not so easy to do. I knew it was time to unplug when I began to feel that my mind would get clouded with all these images and my day would consist of aimless scrolling through instagram and checking facebook for new notifications. I felt compelled to disconnect and turn inward. My self care was lacking and seeing all these people appear to be so joyful with their careers and traveling the world only made it worst. My mood was effected and I compared myself more than ever before.
At first I was afraid to log off and go ghost because I thought people would forget about me, unfollow and move on. But the reality of it was my mental state was suffering and losing a few likes and followers online was not worth me losing my mind. Once I finally detached myself I immediately turned to reading. One thing about me is when I began to feel that my mind has no clear direction, my first reaction is to grab a book to read for a sense of stability. It is, and always will be, a spiritual self help type of literature. Those books get me right every time. from there I began meditative writing, which for me looks like a conversation with myself and through these writings birth some of my best ideas. this online journal started in that pause.
Once I was able to step away I could really admire + embrace the beauty that surrounded me off the screen and in real life.
Two of the biggest takeaways from this experience is:
1. I had to confront the idea that I was actually attached to social media. I needed to uproot and evaluate my relationship to social media and how much it consumed my day. Doing this allowed me to find balance between working online and nourishing myself.
2. It is okay to take a break and focus on me. To Intentionally pour back into myself and give my mind, body and soul exactly what it needs and when it needs. This balance will allow me to present my best and most full self forward.
Moral of the Story: Disconnecting from social media will only bring you closer to yourself + the things you love.