Social media is beneficial for several reasons. It’s a wonderful way to stay connected with friends and family you wouldn’t normally get to interact with. It’s always a great platform for marketing and selling products or services of your business.
However, there does come a time when social media slowly begins to creep up on you and take over your entire life. Although you should reap all the amazing benefits social media has to offer, you shouldn’t let it control your life.
Are you in need of a social media cleanse? Below in this guide, you’ll learn about several different signs that you need a cleanse from social media and how to do a social media cleanse as well.
Continue reading to find out more!
- Others’ Posts Upset You
How often do you find yourself scrolling through your social media newsfeed and becoming upset by what you see? Maybe someone you follow is posting about negativity in the world and reading the post has now set the mood for your day.
Maybe you see others posting about getting engaged or starting a family, and it hurts your feelings because you’re unable to at the moment. Are you constantly comparing yourself to others?
If the posts you’re seeing upset you, then what good is it doing you to log on? It’s not worth it if it’s only bringing you down.
- Not Logging in Brings Anxiety
If you’re unable to check your social media for a certain length of time, does it bring on anxiety? When you’re doing other things, are you constantly wondering what’s happening on social media or who’s posting what?
Rather than battling with anxiety about not being able to check social media, you should feel relaxed and at peace when away from your phone and given the chance to enjoy your real life. When you have anxiety due to not being able to check your accounts, it’s time for a cleanse.
- It’s the First and Last Thing You Do
What’s the first and last thing you do each day? As soon as your alarm goes off in the morning, are you checking your social media accounts? Do you check your accounts right before closing your eyes each night as well?
If you’re checking social media first thing in the morning, then you could see something that bothers you and then upsets you for the rest of the day. The same is true for at night, and you should be giving yourself at least 30 minutes of no electronics before bedtime.
When social media is the first and last thing you do each day, it’s time to take a break.
- It’s Affecting Your Productivity
If you’re addicted to social media, then there’s a good chance it’s affecting your productivity. Do you find it hard to complete work or school assignments on time because you have to stop to check your accounts? Are you able to get your work done but it took you much longer because you stopped several times to look at social media?
Productivity at work or school isn’t the only type of productivity it can affect. It can also get in the way of you completing other daily tasks as well, such as getting to the grocery store when needed or planning your child’s birthday party. When using it for branding and customer engagement for your business, then it’s appropriate to be logged on constantly, as long as you’re remaining productive while on it.
- You’ve Lost Yourself in the Real World
Once you’ve become so consumed in social media, you may begin to lose yourself in the real world. Do you know who the real you is, or do you live through social media? You shouldn’t let a fake world take you away from living your actual life.
When’s the last time you met up with your friends in person for a night out or a day trip? If you live through your social media more than you live in your real life, then it’s time to put the phone down.
- You Think About Posting Rather Than Living
When you do get the chance to explore the world and get out of the house, are you enjoying life and enjoying the moment or are you only thinking about what you want to post? Trying to take the ultimate photo for social media can ruin an entire day.
Instead of enjoying the day and having fun, you’re only thinking about where you could take a good picture and how to pose or so on. It’s time to ignore social media and enjoy the moment. This is not to say that taking pictures is a no-go.
Taking pictures is a wonderful way to cherish the moment, just don’t spend the entire day trying to take a picture that’ll get you the most likes.
- Your Phone’s Always in Your Hands
When you’re out and about or even when you’re at home, is your phone always in your hands? Does it give you anxiety to place your phone in your bag or pocket and forget about it?
When’s the last time you put your phone away and forgot to check it? If you need your phone in your hands at all times, then it’s safe to say that you and social media are ready for a breakup.
Make the Cleanse
If any of these signs sound familiar to you, then it’s time to make the cleanse. Completing a cleanse is a process. Removing social media from your life entirely all at once might not be realistic.
Instead, you’ll want to cut back on your social media time little by little.
Track Your Time
How much time do you currently spend on social media each day? Keep track of your social media time and write it down in a journal. Some apps will even tell you how much time you’re spending on them when you go into the settings.
Start the Process
You can start by turning off all notifications for social media. This might help you feel less inclined to open the apps. Once you shut off the notifications, see how long you can go before checking them.
Take note of the times when you feel most anxious about checking them and which apps you want to check the most.
Replace It With Something Positive
Give yourself boundaries for how often or when you’re allowed to check your accounts. To take your mind off of it, replace social media with something positive. Find a hobby you enjoy and spend time doing that instead.
Once you find something in your real life to help ease your anxiety, you’ll feel better about not checking your accounts.
Is It Time for a Social Media Cleanse?
Are you ready for a social media cleanse? If any of these signs sound like how you currently live your life, then it’s time to start the process of a cleanse. Rather than removing social media completely, find a balance by using the tips given above.
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