Social Media Detox
I have a confession to make. I am a total Youtube addict. I dont care for Facebook, Insta or any other social-media platform. But Youtube got me good. I watch 10 minute video after video. Trading, addiction,coding, writing, random algorithm suggestions. Sometimes I have 3 tabs of Youtube open and switch back and forth between them. I even use Youtube to fall asleep, listening to a podcast or an audiobook. Hour after hour passes and nothing really gets done.
I love Youtube, the endless possibilities to educate yourself and learn sth. new. The possibility for everybody to create content. The way I am consuming it right now, is just to much.
This is my plan for detox:
Replace binging Youtube with.
- Calling or texting friend / family member.
- Do something useful in the flat. Clean up / declutter
- Go outside
- Cook something
- Read some pages in a book
- exercise / stretch
I use the extention LeechBlock for Firefox. It allows me to disable websites with a variety of options. I will block all social-media from 9 am to 8 pm for the start. The challenge is for 30 days. I will journal my days in this post in a short form. If you are dealing with a similar problem leave me a comment, or lets have a chat gopeetmedium@web.de
Lets begin:
Day 1 // 24.6.2021
The start always feels easy because I am pumped to do something new. Social media was unreachable till 8 pm No cravings, mission complete.
Day 2// 25.6.2021
The euphoria of the 1st day vanished. Clicked on Youtube 2 times today just to see it is blocked. Fell asleep without YT yesterday, just read some pages. Thinking about blocking Medium from 9am till 8pm too. Thats it bye.
Day 3// 26.6.2021
Today none of the social media was blocked. From Monday on I will try to go harder. Blocking all social media from 9am to 8pm. I wonder if it is possible to stay away from the Messengers too. My concentration is all over the place. I feel like I really need to work on that.
Day 4// 27.6.2021
Sunday is relaxing day. Tommorow the stricter rules are beginning. All of the social media + the news sites are blocked from 9am to 8pm. Claiming back my time and focus. Lets goo !!
Day 5// 28.6.2021
The strict rules were applied today. The day felt very boring. I can’t say my concentration went up bigtimes. Maybe around 5% . Lets see how this plays out.
Day 6// 29.6.2021
Day 6 already, time is passing by. I felt very calm and focused today. No media intake while eating, taking a break or before falling asleep. I realized I don’t need this much input. This realization is liberating.
Day 7// 30.6.2021
It way easy to keep away from social media , because I wasn’t at the computer the whole day. My desire to consume YouTube before falling asleep went away. I am happy now if I can turn off the computer. I guess that is a good thing.
Day 8// 1.7.2021
Worked out of the house today. Don’t taking my phone with me helps. No chance to consume any Apps or Messengers.
Day 9// 2.7.2021
No social media in the working hours but a lot of other ways to distract myself.
Day 10// 3.7.2021
Working outside all day, no social media in visual range.
Day 11// 4.7.2021
Some changes are taking place, even though I could binge today, I don’t feel the urge to. I’d rather go out or relax. My scrolling and binging is coming to a healthy dimension.
Day 12// 5.7.2021
Things are getting better, the binge watching seems to be under control. Nevertheless I will do the 30 days as a minimum. From time to time I want to click on social media during the working day, but its locked. My brain accepts that, which makes it easier to resist.
Day 13// 6.7.2021
Had to communicate with a messenger at the beginning of the day. That was an excuse to use the messengers a bit to often during the day. Seems like if you start, it is hard to stop. You had a look already why not have another one. All in all I feel huge benefits.
Day 14// 7.7.2021
Checking social media in the mornings before 9am and after 8pm. The overall consumption is reduced a lot. I question this whole social media thing more and more.
Day 15// 8.7.2021
I am checking a bit too much in the morning before 8am. I am going to leave the rule as it is for now. Focusing on consistency.
Day 16// 9.7.2021
A day full of work outside and some traveling. Staying away was no big deal.
Day 16// 10.7.2021
Summertime staying outside a lot don’t taking my phone with me.
Day 17// 11.7.2021
Sunday time, some binging is allowed.
Day 18// 12.7.2021
Binged Netflix all day. Actually enjoyed it. I think it is not about going perfect, it is more about. Try, try, try.
Day 19// 13.7.2021
Great productive day. No social media at all. Not even after 8pm.
Day 20// 14.7.2021
Keep on doing it ! Great active day, no need to scroll down the social media mindless !
Day 21// 15.7.2021
I was in the cinema today. I decided I can’t deal with entertainment overdose, there are better things to do and discover.
Day 21// 16.7.2021
My ability to focus and to start some work has improved. While YouTube is blocked, there is no excuse to make a “little YouTube break”. I might as well just work.
Day 22–26// 16–21.7.2021
A lot of outdoor activities without social media. Day 26 already, almost there.
Day 27–28// 22–23.7.2021
Its hard to stay disciplined all the time. I broke some rules. But with every challenge, there needs to be some flexibility. Almost there with 30 days. I will write a conclusion and set some new rules for myself.
Day 29// 24.7.2021
Being on a journey I have my laptop with me. The social media filter is not turned on here. So I might as well binge a bit here and there… Got some excuses going on. It is Day 29 already. After day 30, I will apply the rule no social media before 6pm. I loaded up on some books I will read them to start the day. No pop-ups, no tabs, no hashtags, no notifications, no thumbnails. Just me and 1 book. I am looking forward to that. Have a nice one ! Bye !
More of my stories:
- How I Quit Alcohol / The Point I Decided To Quit (My first story)
- 6 Month Of Sobriety
- Beer Got Me Again
- I Will Never Drink Again
- Replacing Alcohol
