Last summer I completed an experiment using Jen Hatmaker’s book, 7. It challenged both me and my habits and got me thinking why I do what I do. A new habit formed from that experiment back in June of last year: Social Media Sabbath.
Every Sunday I take a break from Social Media. From when I wake up on Sunday to when I wake up on Monday, I am not checking Facebook or Instagram or any other platforms. I might check email or Marco Polo, but I am staying off the socials. And it has been so good for me. So good, in fact, I have continued this Social Media Sabbath and am wondering if and when I should take it further, but that’s another post for another day.
How much are we using social media?
45% of the world’s population use social media and 88% of Americans between the ages of 18-29 use it. If you’re reading this, there is a pretty good chance you have a social media account: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, Snapchat, etc. As digital consumers, we spend about 2.5 hours on social media everyday. That’s 38 days a year. 38. That’s more than 10% of our year spent liking, sharing, tweeting, and watching stories.
How does social media affect us?
Whether we want to believe it or not, social media affects our mental health. More and more studies are being done on this topic and the findings are showing both correlation and causation. Basically, how much time spent on social media directly affects our mental health.
Social media can be useful in numerous ways, but intentionality is what keeps it useful and keeps it from being a problem. If we use it unrestrained, it can actually cause harm we may not even realize. If we can be aware of how much we are using it and how we are using it, we can use it in a healthy way.
Social Media Sabbath
Following through with a Social Media Sabbath has been so incredibly good for me. It has allowed me a day of rest from the noise of the world and given me respite to be with my thoughts and my family. It has allowed me to be more present with my people and give them my undivided attention.
As I wrote the above paragraph, it made me a bit sad. I have let social media seep into my everyday, six days a week. It distracts me from my own thoughts and family. It divides my attention and has me thinking about other things when I could be in the moment with my people.
My personal findings as I processed and wrote my thoughts in this post are this: I need to find a way to be more intentional with my social media use on a day to day basis. Taking a break one day a week is good, but I want better.
The way I live my days is the way I live my life.
What now?
Thanks for sticking with me on this topic. If you’re looking to be intentional with your social media use, let me offer a few questions and ideas to get you thinking about how to do this.
Question: How much do you think you use social media in a normal day?
Idea: Download the Moment app to track your phone use and also check in on your phone to check your percentages of use. You can do this by going to Settings > Battery.
Question: How do you feel after scrolling through Facebook or Instagram?
Idea: Check in with yourself often and try to pinpoint if there is anything that makes you feel less than, lonely, or gives you that FOMO (fear of missing out) feeling.
Follow-up Idea: After you pinpoint this, don’t be afraid to unfollow some accounts to help with those feelings.
I want to reiterate I am not ready to burn down social media. I find it useful and a great way to connect with both old and new friends. However, it can be harmful unless we begin to be intentional with the way we use it. How will you start to be intentional with your social media use?