Taking A Social Media & Phone Reset For The New Year

Are you feeling like it’s time for a social media fast? Do you feel like you are chained to your phone? Here are some practical ways to overcome the challenged associated with social media and phone use.

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There are times when I find myself reaching for my phone… even though I have no reason to.

I have nothing to check, nobody I need to talk to, and no need to watch what random strangers are doing on the internet.

And yet… I reach for my phone.

I actually hate this feeling and actively work to fight it. So, every once in a while, I go on a wild hair and do a social media fast. It’s actually easier to do this when you’re out of town, on holidays, or otherwise have some type of extra motivation.

Kind of like the New Year!

The Benefits of a Social Media Fast

I think we can all imagine that fasting from social media can benefit us in some ways. But, have you ever imagined all the ways?

Here are the top 10 ways that having a social media fast are beneficial.

• Reduces anxiety
• Breaks addictive behaviors
• Increases self-esteem
• Fosters peace
• Improves focus
• Makes time/space to connect with God
• Clears up time for projects or hobbies
• Allows more personal connections & relationships
• Tests & improves self-control
• Improves mental clarity for goals or purposefulness

So, the question is not “Does a social media fast help me?” but rather “do the benefits of a fast outweigh the downfalls?”

Coming from experience, it is challenging to feel disconnected once you are used to having the entire world at your fingertips.

I’m wondering if taking a specific time to fast social media can have some real detoxifying qualities on everything from life outlook, to inward emotions, and even to how we treat our children.

When we’re not constantly comparing ourselves to others, we can have more joy for our own families.

Tips for a Successful Social Media Fast

When you attempt a social media fast, you find out quickly if you have any addictive type tendencies when it comes to your social media behaviors.

First of all, I recommend doing a bit of a “test run.” Take a day and attempt to neglect your social apps. See how it feels. Then, make a plan for how you want to precede.

You may be like the select few in this world who aren’t mentally bombarded with their social platforms.

But, if you’re like the rest of us… you’ll have to set some sort of plan for yourself.

Here are some tips:

• Choose what specifically you want to fast. Maybe it’s all social media. Or, maybe it’s just the ones that you proved you had some addictive tendencies in.
• Then, select a timeline for your fast. Are you fasting a week? Two? Maybe it’s just during the daylight hours that you’re fasting. Or, maybe it’s time for a longer fast (a month or more).
• Before going on, remove the apps from your phone (or place them in a folder where you can’t easily access them).
• Have a close friend or loved one hold you accountable. This is especially helpful if you’re desperate for a fast.
• Lastly, reward yourself for meeting your goals. Say… you want to fast for two weeks. Set a personal reward after week one to give yourself some satisfaction. Maybe it’s a pedicure or a new book? Whatever it is, sometimes it’s this that will keep you honest with yourself.

After all that, it’s important to recognize that you may fail… a few times. Don’t throw in the towel when you find yourself on remote control scrolling. Shake yourself back to reality and try again.

It will be worth it!

What is a phone reset?

Do you find yourself frantic when you don’t know where your phone is? Basically, nearly everyone does. There’s a lot of science and technology that has been put into making us feel that way.

When it comes to our smart phones, we are the product. The phone is the user.

As we “grow into” using our device push notifications are sent through to keep us engaged. They are developed by social media and technology experts to force us (the product) to remain active.

Don’t believe me? Time yourself. Count…

How many times do you reach for your phone every 30 minutes?

You may not have even realized it, but push notifications can take over your phone and cause you to become mentally dependent on checking your device.

A phone reset is when you take back the power over your device.

• Check all of your push notifications and turn most if not all, off.
• Select what you want to come through.
• Remove any apps, email chains, or other social media advertisements that you no longer want to see.
• Arrange the apps on your screen to simplify your life and bring you peace.

Doing a phone reset is a great time to move your Bible app closer to home- and set your social media apps further away.

It’s like you’re saying “out of sight, out of mind.”

When you do a phone reset, you are forcing the device you own back into subjection. After all, it was supposed to be used as a helpful tool. It’s not supposed to be using you.

Keeping the healthy lifestyle you deserve.

You deserve peace of mind. A healthy lifestyle starts with mental clarity and purposefulness. However, when a person is chained to their device, these things decrease significantly.

So, if you feel that it’s time for a bit of freedom I want to encourage you to take that leap. Take back control of your time and mental space.

You will be surprised as to what you have time for during your day!

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