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A breakup was all that was required to
push me down the depression pit - cutting myself off from all friends, work and
social media. It wasn’t what I would have ideally wanted but the loneliness
that I imposed on myself was in a way, welcomed.
Getting off Social Media was something
I was toying with, but since I have a blog, the urge to stay relevant in this
(now) maddening world of “blogging” and “influencing” kept pushing me to churn
out content. Once I stopped, it felt the compulsion to post was self-imposed.
While I am still not back on Social
Media, only on Twitter and I blog when I feel like writing, I did learn a few
things in the last 8 months of no social media.
I
don’t need to know what's happening all the time!
When I am bored or have nothing at
hand, I would subconsciously reach out to Instagram and check out stories and
posts. To be honest, the stories weren’t that great – like I don't need 30
videos of the road, I understood you are on a road trip after watching the very
first video.
Sitting without nothing to do used to
be uncomfortable, my reading had gone for a toss because whenever I could find some
time, I would while it away trying to catch up on what others were doing.
Exactly, like the neighbourhood aunty you despise, just a digital version of
her.
Once
the pressure of posting things is gone, you actually start appreciating moments
more
No one had told me that I had to post a
picture of my food even before I ate it, but I did that anyway. And once the
picture is posted, while I am eating my meal, I would be checking my phone to look
for comments and likes on my post.
Enjoying a meal with friends? Mindful
eating? What’s that?
Now, it is more about the company and
the food, without worrying about posting a picture of what I am eating with
people who are someplace else, not enjoying their meal.
Friends knew I won’t check their stories or
updates, thus started messaging me often to inform me, helped connect with a
few friends who took that extra effort to stay connected
The
most important change that I have noticed is that I started connecting with
people more. Now, when I meet my friends, they have a chance to tell me what
they did all week. Earlier, I used to watch what they did all week on their
stories and then barely have anything to talk about once we meet.
I
actually have time at hand!
You know how we always complain that we don’t have enough time? We cannot pursue a hobby, read a book, and spend time with loved ones because you never seem to find time to do those things? Well, that has changed a bit now, instead of scrolling through my social media feed, I read a page or two of a book or an article that I have saved on Pocket. I have enough time to catch up on my favourite shows and then indulge in some gardening as well.
You know how we always complain that we don’t have enough time? We cannot pursue a hobby, read a book, and spend time with loved ones because you never seem to find time to do those things? Well, that has changed a bit now, instead of scrolling through my social media feed, I read a page or two of a book or an article that I have saved on Pocket. I have enough time to catch up on my favourite shows and then indulge in some gardening as well.
So, in all, getting off social media
doesn’t really seem that bad. Yes, there are occasional moments when I feel
like sharing but my depression kind of gets in the way of actually making that
effort and posting things. And at times, when I have to want to share things,
Twitter is at my disposal.
As of now, I am enjoying this
‘ignorance is bliss’ phase; maybe I will get back on the social media when I am
at a better mental state and really start missing the noise and mess.
Once we fall down the terrible spiral of social media, it is so hard to climb back up to normalcy. I enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteNoor Anand Chawla
This post is really interesting how truly you explain here. social media is very big and good platform for sharing information.
ReplyDeleteThe social media is actually a trap i feel. Once you are in, it is super difficult to come out of it. Once you are out from this social media circle, you get to know who are actually your real friends. Totally enjoyed reading your post and eye opener for sure.
ReplyDeleteSocial Media traps you and the more you do the more of solace it takes away from you. I have been occasionally taking breaks in a week from social media and that gives me the real comfort.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy sharing everything on my social media actually i am addicted to daily using 6 to 7 social media platforms. Really loved reading your post
ReplyDeleteSocial media addiction is good and sometimes terrible. The key is to balance both the things.. Very nice writeup.. Loved it..
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I have similar feeling... This virtual world is maddening and it is us who force ourselves to suffer... Honestly written post! Loved it! :)
ReplyDeleteI guess we all need to take a break from social media for few days to come back fresh and refreshed.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post it was I loved reading each and every point mentioned, thank you for sharing this beautiful bit, out of all the point you had mentioned about it's ok to be not be like a happening person all the time!
ReplyDeleteTruly Pooja while growing up I used to hear about peer pressure but today social media has a tremendous extra pressure on all of us. It is great to hear that you realised these valuable things from digital detox.
ReplyDeleteTruly Pooja while growing up I used to hear about peer pressure but today social media has a tremendous extra pressure on all of us. It is great to hear that you realised these valuable things from digital detox.
ReplyDeleteBeing a food and travel blogger, it is so difficult to have a break from social media and the fear of the emails piling up in case I take a break is horrific. Though a detox is well recommended.
ReplyDelete