Day 29 Without Anxiety
No Social Media for 1 Week
What's The Challenge?
To go without Social Media sites and apps for One Week.
Why The Anxiety?
I'm anxious about giving up my social media because I don't want to be disconnected from the world. I want to be able to keep in touch with everyone, and feel like that won't be possible without the use of Snapchat, Facebook Messenger and Twitter. I'll also be giving up my blog and apps I use for daily inspiration eg. Pinterest and Polyvore. I feel like I'm going to be completely alone and ignorant to everything going on in the world and with friends. Social media is the easy way to connect with others and I'm going to have my connection cut off, I'm not addicted to my phone or social media but I like to know I have it with me so I'm able to contact someone if I need to.
Anxiety before?🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕
I didn't really have time to feel anxious about this I was checking my emails as soon as I woke up (as usual) and I noticed a message from a friend sent to my blog email. I saw it was a challenge suggestion and couldn't wait to dive in. My friend (who wishes to remain anonymous) suggested I try going without my social media and Blog for a week. I use social media a lot because of blogging and I feel like she knew I would use blogging as an excuse to keep my social media open (as it's the excuse I usually have for being online). So I got my camera out, filmed (excuse my appearance and croaky voice, I am not a morning person) and accepted to do the challenge. I was allowed to message a few people to let them know, in case I need to get in touch with them during the week.
Anxiety During?🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕
Honestly think I jumped into this waaaay to quickly, without even thinking, I didn't even ask for people's numbers or another means of contacting them !? Why did I not do this? The first few days was when I felt the most anxious. I felt really disconnected from my friends and from the news worldwide, with social media you are literally connected to everything within a second. I started to feel really isolated and a little depressed, I wasn't sure what to do with some of my days and for the first few days ended up binge watching Stranger Things and editing videos (is editing video cheating? I think not).
Then on the third and fourth day it was like a switch flipped, I realised that I wasn't taking in as much unnecessary information, didn't have to get involved in or see any petty dramas (people don't put your dirty laundry out on social media, even if you think "It's the tea!"). I also started going to sleep earlier, I found my night time routine was more effective without using social media or chatting to long distance friends (I love you guys, but a blue screen before bedtime is a killer for this insomniac). I was starting to like not having my social media.
By the end of the week I felt like I had just come back off holiday, it really was a brilliant feeling and I felt surprisingly lighter. I've realised that whilst social media is an incredible tool that helps you to stay connected, it's better to be used in small doses.
Then on the third and fourth day it was like a switch flipped, I realised that I wasn't taking in as much unnecessary information, didn't have to get involved in or see any petty dramas (people don't put your dirty laundry out on social media, even if you think "It's the tea!"). I also started going to sleep earlier, I found my night time routine was more effective without using social media or chatting to long distance friends (I love you guys, but a blue screen before bedtime is a killer for this insomniac). I was starting to like not having my social media.
By the end of the week I felt like I had just come back off holiday, it really was a brilliant feeling and I felt surprisingly lighter. I've realised that whilst social media is an incredible tool that helps you to stay connected, it's better to be used in small doses.
Anxiety After?🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕
When I got my social media back I felt a lot more relaxed, and I didn't want this feeling to fade or to use blogging as an excuse to binge-scroll. I've set myself a curfew of when I can use my social media and my phone and so far (bar a few exceptions) I have stuck to it. I'm really pleased I did this challenge and made this change in my life. I would highly recommend a social media detox (or even a phone detox if you're brave enough) to anyone suffering from anxiety, it is incredibly liberating.
If you have any Challenge Ideas; Please comment down below and let me know.
Thanks for Reading
xo
Enjoy Day 29? Why not Read/Watch Day 28?
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