Breaking the Habit: A Step Towards Digital Detox and Real Connections

For better or worse, social media is here to stay. It’s been almost 20 years since I created my first profile and I’ve experienced so many versions of myself in that time, versions that I am reminded of each time a memory pops up on Facebook. As a teenager in the early 2000’s, A.I.M was my digital hangout space after school. Some friends preferred MSN or Yahoo, so I had Trillian to connect with all three in one place. These were the original social networking platforms. During my senior year of high school, I joined MySpace, and soon after I created the Facebook account I still use today.

Social media had once been a place where you would engage with friends, comment on posts, and send memes to each other (the 6th love language). The engagement and community aspect are what drew me in. I enjoyed connecting with others through my stories and posts, but nowadays it feels as if people are not paying attention to the content. They’re mindlessly scrolling. With an average of 200 views of my story posts, I started to question who was I sharing these aspects of my life with. Was I posting to share and connect or subconsciously looking for external validation?

It goes without saying there is an addictive quality to these digital platforms. It's the slot machine effect, only worse. Instead of losing your money, you can lose yourself if you’re not careful. While some people have a handle on their vices and know when to walk away, some of us don’t have the same boundaries. I’ve found it necessary to create boundaries and healthier habits by stepping away periodically. While this may feel like a setback, it’s an essential part of the journey towards a more positive and fulfilling relationship with these platforms.

Digital Detox

I’ve found it necessary to create boundaries and healthier habits by stepping away periodically. While this may feel like a setback, it’s an essential part of the journey towards a more positive and fulfilling relationship with these platforms.

When I first started deactivating my account, or detoxing, it was difficult to disconnect. We’re all starved for human connections; what you see online is a highlight reel of what people want you to know about them. We confuse this as thinking we’re staying connected. I needed to find ways to turn my idle time into leisure time, replacing scrolling with new habits like reading books or listening to podcasts. I made the effort to focus more on individual relationships by being available for phone conversations with friends or scheduling one-on-one hangouts to catch up.

This summer’s detox plan was to be present. I signed off Memorial Day Weekend and logged back in after Labor Day. I tried challenging myself, if I could make it to the end of the year, I would permanently delete my Instagram account as I have done with TikTok and Twitter. I didn’t make it to the end of the year, but I clocked in 100 days, setting a record for myself! It feels silly to track these things, but tracking keeps me accountable and builds my strength. Perhaps one day, the desire to log in will dissipate.

On a positive note, I do believe there are some good qualities to social media. I’m stepping into a version of myself that values privacy and real-life connections, so I don’t resonate with these platforms the way I did 20 years ago. I want to consume content that’s engaging and uplifting. I watch podcasts on YouTube or listen to them on Spotify. I sign up for newsletters of businesses and influencers that I respect and value. Social media is a tool, like a magazine, that can be used to inspire, entertain, and sometimes educate. If you own a business, it’s a necessary marketing tool to promote your business and connect with clients. It’s how we use it that makes the difference. Using social media to engage in mindfully, we can transform it into something that inspires and enhances us rather than divides us.

Breaking the Habit: A Step Towards Digital Detox and Real Connections

My Care Team