I’ve always had a contentious relationship with social media, but recently it’s taken its toll on my brain.
I could feel the effects of reaching for my phone. The little pleasure receptors in the brain would fire at the mere thought of screen time.
I also noticed how I used it as an avoidant. Something unpleasant was occurring? Having to wait in line, wait for a streetcar, an uncomfortable emotion, an unwanted social interaction? Solution? Reach for the phone!
It was like a little hit of technical cocaine when I needed pleasure. A small puff of digital distraction when I needed to avoid. Studies have proven this dopamine induced response to be true.
In response to this subtle addiction, I decided to no longer scroll my news feed. I would still post, but no longer engage. And the mental space it created?
Fantastic.
I felt less fractured internally. My mind was a bit more settled. My attention more available.
And then it started to creep back into my life.
It was like giving up alcohol for “Sober October”. November rolls around and you start to have glasses of wine here and there, the occasional bottle of beer. Your life isn’t ruined. You’re not spiraling into an alcoholic rage, but you do feel kinda crappy and a bit more irritable.
That’s the effect social media has on me.
I think of social media like alcohol. It’s great in moderation. But if you go overboard? You’re going to make yourself sick.
So I’ve decided for the month of October to have a “Sober October” by drinking in less social media. Only posting when necessary, and checking up on the Instagram my sister posts of my niece and nephew. Like having a glass of wine at the end of a crazy day, I’ll still enjoy looking at a meme that makes me laugh and relax, or a pic of my niece that melts my heart. But I will interact less. Training my brain away from the mindless scrolling.
This media detox is inspired by the very noticeable sense of peace encountered when I do step away from the phone.
Quite often I use the phrase “less is more” when I teach classes (encouraging people to skip chatarunga once and a while). I find this concept incredibly applicable to all parts of life. With that said, for the next little while I will apply it to social media. Just like my shoulders are grateful when I skip a vinyasa here and there, my brain will have a chance to rest with a bit less screen time.
