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In recent times, we have dealt with truly extenuating circumstances, some we will (hopefully) never relive again in our lifetime. Social media has been a godsend for some, but for some, it's been trying and exhausting.
Recently, I took a bit of a break (ok, it was only one day, but I did take a break!) from social media as my mental health dipped to real low, a low I hadn't experienced for a long time. It terrified me of how low my mental health and wellbeing had sunk. I think, at that particular time, there was so much sadness and negativity in the news, scrolling on social media had lost its joy for myself personally. It was the right time for me to turn off my notifications, stop posting and just take care of myself. A one day break was all I needed. Yet, even after that day off, I still didn't really do much on social media the next day. I felt so replenished and revitalised, I kind of didn't want to ruin or effect the better place I had gotten myself into in terms of my mental wellbeing. It was like I was afraid the bubble would burst.
Sometimes we need that break away from social media, however long, to just reenergise and just step away from the online world. It's all down to personal preference about how long the break should last, but taking one once in a while won't hurt, in fact, it can be extremely beneficial. It's kind of like going on a night out (not in recent times) with friends and being afraid to leave because you think you're going to miss something.
It's time to promote embracing life offline. Not only does it protect our mental health, it's nice to just to focus on the world in front of you rather than staring at your phone and ending up walking into a lamppost. That's something I have almost done in the past, imagine how much of a nob you like if you did that! Get that fresh air, clean that kitchen cupboard or draw which is full of random shit like old chargers and batteries, have a declutter of your wardrobe, check in with family and friends via a text or phone call etc.
You're probably starting to think that, because I am a blogger, I spend most of my free time on social media uploading photos on Instagram Stories or tweeting something on Twitter about something that is trending. Which is kind of true - to a certain extent. I like to take breaks from social media during the day, a daily social media detox if you like. Unless I want to give myself square eyes, I don't like to spend every single minute of the day online, despite being a blogger. It's all about finding that balance.
Finding that balance is like watching a tightrope walker. One wrong move either side, the tightrope walker tumbles on the crash mat underneath them. Once you have found that balance of how much you use social media during the day, you're laughing - but it's not easy, it will take a lot of trial and error to get your personal balance right. Getting that balance right is also knowing when social media gets that little bit too much.
When I realised that all the news on social media was getting to me a lot more than it should, I knew it was the perfect time to step away. Once I got back on there 1-2 days later, I decided to have a scroll through who I was following on Twitter and Instagram. I knew it was time to start following like-minded people and unfollow those who make me feel negative. It's obviously not entirely their fault that they have made me feel negative, our brains work differently, some people will make us happy, but some won't. We're not all the same. Following those who have similar views to your own, love the same topics as you, the ones who inspire you to be creative and/or who are just genuinely happy and positive on their outlook on life!
Before I sign off on this post, I have to talk about the positive impact social media has had on myself and I'm guessing for so many others. During these tough times, social media has been a constant source of funny tweets, happy photos on Insta and I have seen and read about the most inspiring and kindest of people in our world. Social media friends, old and new, have been our constant support - and ones I will always be grateful for.
Protecting our mental health on social media is so important, social media should be a happy place for us, not a sad place. I could honestly go on and on about the importance of protecting our mental health on social media, it's a topic that I feel strongly about. I hope this post has helped you to see how to find that right balance, protecting your mental health on social media and to find that happiness when scrolling online. Remember, don't ever feel guilty for needing or wanting to take a break from it, we all need a break sometimes.
How do you feel about protecting your mental health on social media?
Let me know your thoughts!
*The loungewear I am wearing in this post is from Pour Moi - with no obligation to include in this post. All mental health views are my own. For more details, please read my disclaimer.
For so long I had no idea of the impact social media was having on me but I'm so glad I finally understand how it controls me and affects my anxiety! We all need a break every now and then and it can help so much!
ReplyDeleteKaty | www.katystephenson.com | www.thegrownupsclub.com
I was the same Katy, I had no idea of the impact social media would and does have on my mental health. I'm glad that you have found an understanding with it now lovely!
DeleteJust like Katy, I had no clue what a cloud social media was putting me under. I use it everyday as part of my job for my blog, which is like my baby.
ReplyDeleteI realised some way into the pandemic that something wasn't right. Since then, I have timeouts on my phone during work hours, I don't post on socials over the weekends unless I WANT to and I leave my phone in different rooms and pick up a book when I have a spare minute
Rosie
Like you Rosie, I use social media everyday for blogging purposes. I'm glad that you took action and decided to take time away from social media during the day! I take a break in the evening from social media and it does me the world of good!
DeleteThank you for sharing, we all have to think about our health when it comes to what we say on social media, sometimes it can be a great support other times not so much. I think having a couple of days off does help plan what to say and do, also to relax :)
ReplyDeleteNic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes
You're right Nic, we have to think about our mental health and put that first! Taking a little break every now and then really does help!
DeleteThis is such an important topic. Social media, especially as a blogger is consuming! I have stepped away from the social, friends and family side now and instead mainly use it for the purpose of blogging.
ReplyDeleteEven that though, I am finding quite tough. It's great to hear that having a break was really helpful to you. I will definitely be following your lead there x
It sounds like you have made social media work for you Claire which is lovely to read!
DeleteTaking that very short break did my mental wellbeing the world of good, would highly recommend! x
This post resonated so much! I never understood the impact of social media until i started blogging and it can truly be stressful! I really want to try a social media detox, for now i usually just step out for a bit and follow like minded people is also helping! Thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteIt really can be stressful Cristina!
DeleteFollowing like-minded people can make your social media feeds a much happier place x
Great post pet. I've been trying to take time off from social media more often as of late. It's all just getting a bit too much lately, and it can be difficult to know how to cope.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you have taken time away from social media to focus on you and your mental health, it does you good to get away from it all!
DeleteSuch an amazing post!! I do adore social media but I am never afraid to step away from it. I think it helps a lot that I can schedule my content too as a content creator so there I'm still active! A break is definitely needed! Thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteLynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Thank you Lynn!
DeleteIt's a good idea to schedule social media posts when you want to take a break away! x
I agree, social media can definitely be a double-edged sword! It's been a great source of entertainment throughout lockdown, that's for sure haha. But yes, breaks are totally necessary from time to time.
ReplyDeleteaglassofice.com x
It's most definitely been the best entertainment during the lockdown hasn't it Gabrielle?! x
DeleteI think I'm pretty fortunate in that I'm able to take a break from social media at the weekends. My job is social media as well as my blog, so I do treasure my time offline, it can get quite overwhelming otherwise! x
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that time away offline on the weekends does you the world of good Lisa! x
DeleteI agree, it's really important to protect your mental health, espeially since all of us have gone through such a state like this pandemic. For the past six years, I have taken digitial breaks once a week, it helps so much. Have a great week. /Madison
ReplyDeletehttp://fashiontalesblog.com
Absolutely Madison, it's so important to protect our mental health, especially during these tough times!
DeleteAlthough I have not fully taken the plunge, I do go on social media breaks quite often and I strive to make more of an effort to stay off my phone. Thanks for sharing this post!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Lovely
www.mynameislovely.com
That's good to read that you are taking time away from social media when you need to xx
DeleteI can relate to this so so heavily. I like to follow people on Twitter who are like minded and those who differ massively because I see a value in knowing how other people think and respond to situations but I'm at a point where I get no positivity or enjoyment from Instagram at all. Everything about it makes me see fault in myself, whether that be something appearance related, or even dumb things like 'my photography will never be that good', so I took a pretty much permanent break from that platform and can't say I miss it at all. You don't realise the negativity until you step away sometimes x
ReplyDeleteSophie
www.glowsteady.co.uk
I like how you follow people who are like minded and also people who have different opinions and values to yourself, I like how you can then see the different perspectives of everybody you follow! Instagram is an app that definitely makes you see the faults in yourself which then unfortunately allows you to compare yourself to others. I'm happy to read that you took yourself away from it as you know seem a lot happier from doing that lovely x
DeleteI love taking days off social media. For the most part I find social media a positive space but I've grown a lot over the years and I've started to care a lot less about validation and only posting things that I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteDays off social media can be so rewarding for our mental health, just to step away from it can do wonders! x
DeleteSocial media is wonderful and has given me so many opportunities. However, there are so many things that I would change. It can be a really negative and hateful place, so taking a break is so important. Thank you for sharing this post and I hope you're doing okay!
ReplyDeleteEm x
I agree Em, social media can be a good place and I like that it's given you so many opportunities! But like you said, it can be a negative place sometimes and it's important to step away when needing to x
DeleteThis is so important to talk about - it's all about getting the balance right on social media. I do love it but it is addictive and the days I'm on it less, I feel better xx
ReplyDeleteIt does help to stay away from it sometimes doesn't it Della? xx
DeleteThis is so important to talk about! Through my work I speak to so many people who are struggling with their mental health these include children as young as 13 and it is so sad. I think social media can play a huge part in affecting your mental health. Seeing "perfect" people or the "perfect" life on social media can be so damaging especially if you are young and just starting to figure out who you are. I personally, think there needs to be more education and monitoring of social media also even a social media break one day per week can make a huge difference too.
ReplyDeleteThat must be so hard Sarah, listening to children as young as 13 talk about things like that must be so hard to listen to. I think people do strive for perfection because they think that people they follow have the perfect life, but that is NEVER the case, no ones life is perfect!
DeleteSocial Media is so draining. I just took a week off from it last week for spring break and it was so nice. I honestly want to do it again soon too lol
ReplyDeleteI bet it was lovely to take that week off it Charity!
DeleteThis is so important! Social media feels like it's the be all and end all at the moment. It's like a popularity contest & gives people a sense of status. I'm not here for it. I use it for my blog, but I'm more than happy to take a few days 'off'... And I just take them off, I don't understand why people apologise for being away from the online world. It just baffles me. Makes me worried for kids growing up now!
ReplyDeleteClaire.X
www.clairemac.co.uk
I totally agree babe, it feels like a popularity contest right now, which is not what it should be about! I like that you are more than happy to take a few days off social media here and there Claire! x
DeleteSuch a good post. Our mental health is so important that we must not be scared of taking time away or making our online spaces better places to be for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI had to take time away during the first lockdown last year as it was just getting too much for me and j felt I wasn't adding anything to the conversation. It felt good to take a step away and not be beholdent to something which has taken over our lives in the last few years.
We should all take breaks & not be afraid to look after ourselves. ☀️☀️ Xoxo
Absolutely Sarah, we should never be afraid to take time away from social media when needing to! I'm glad you decided to step away in that first lockdown lovely, it sounds like it did you the world of good and you definitely helped your mental health! xx
DeleteSocial media can be so packed with toxicity, filtered moments carefully selected before publishing and it creates a false representation of people's lives. Everything can be modified and heavily controlled, from physical appearance to moments of happiness. Knowing when to step away and take a much needed break is essential for our mental well-being and I'm so glad you wrote about this. <3
ReplyDeletehttp://www.couture-case.com/
It's so important to know when to step away x
DeleteSuch an important post! I am on social media for work so it feels like I'm always checking it - either for my client work, my blog or my own personal interest. Breaks are so important and necessary. Thank you for the reminder - I need to schedule another break!
ReplyDeleteBreaks are definitely necessary once in a while!
DeleteThis is such an important topic! I definitely have a love hate relationship with social media. Breaks and finding a balance really help. I agree with following those who make you feel good and unfollowing those who you no longer align with! xx
ReplyDeleteSending light & love your way,
Diana Maria & Co
Finding that balance and giving yourself breaks is so important with social media! xx
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear that you were feeling so low. I agree that social media can sometimes be great but the negative creeps in too. I think this pandemic highlighted this when you could see who wasn't sticking to the rules. I've unfollowed or muted so many people and I feel so much better for it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kelly, social media can be a positive but equally a negative place too, like you, I unfollowed or muted people and it made me feel so much better!
DeleteThis is such an important conversation. Social media can be an incredible tool to connect us, however, we also need to be aware of the potential risks and how to set boundaries to keep ourselves safe. I'm sorry to hear that you've been experiencing some of the lows that come with this online world - I know first hand how difficult that can be. I am sure that sharing your experiences and advice on here will help others that are also trying to find that balance.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Britt, we kind of need to have limits to what we can cope with on social media and step away when things are just a little too overwhelming!
DeleteLove this post as social media is such a double edged sword - it is a great way to build community and connect people, but it can also be so toxic and draining. You did a great job of outlining the importance of walking the line and how to set boundaries. Thanks for this lovely post!
ReplyDeleteThere's always been two sides to social media hasn't there lovely? A positive and a negative side, so it's important to find that balance!
DeleteI love this post so much! It's really important that we take care of our mental-wellbeing, especially during these trying times. Thank you so much for the reminder! xx
ReplyDeletelenne | lennezulkiflly.com
It's so important to take care of our mental wellbeing when being on social media! xx
DeleteTaking a break from social media and keeping tabs on who you follow is so important for your mental wellbeing! Social media can be exhausting!
ReplyDeleteKatie | katieemmabeauty.com
You're right Katie, social media can be exhausting!
Delete