It has only been a short time since I resolved to break my social media habit and delete my Facebook account, however, the difference it has made is simply astounding.
So much of my mental space has been freed up. Just like that.
This is by far the most remarkable difference I've noticed. It's like I've unstrapped a 50 pound pack from my back, dropped it on the road and walked away. And I never want to pick it back up. I'm not sure exactly how many "friends" I had, several hundred or so if I had to hazard a guess, but I'm more convinced now than ever that we just aren't meant to know that much about that many people. I don't believe we were made to operate that way, and it took more of a toll on me, mentally, than I realized.
I don't miss it. At all.
HUGE surprise here. Especially considering how much hand-wringing the thought of leaving Facebook caused me initially. I don't feel left out, or out of the loop. I've had no problem staying in contact with others through email. And I realize now that social media is not even close to being a necessary part of life as I was beginning to believe it was.
I have more time in my day.
Less distraction means more time to build Legos with with my little guy, to chat and laugh with my teenager, and to snuggle up and watch a TV show with my daughter. I have realized, as a homeschool mom who chooses to be with my kids all day, every day, I was using social media as an opportunity to veg out, to escape when my brain needed a break. Now I'm finding ways to take that break that actually refresh me, like reading a good book, watching a TV show, or kicking my feet up for a short nap.
I'm starting to regain what was lost to a lifestyle of distraction.
I'm remembering goals and dreams that had been pushed to the back burner. Things I want to teach the kids and adventures I'd like to have as a family. I've stopped whatever I was doing at the moment to look a child in the face and really listen to what they were saying. I've gone to bed earlier. And instead of spending so much time reading articles about life hacks, recipes, parenting tips, and all the rest, I'm focusing my time and effort on actually living the beautiful life that is right in front of me.
So much of my mental space has been freed up. Just like that.
This is by far the most remarkable difference I've noticed. It's like I've unstrapped a 50 pound pack from my back, dropped it on the road and walked away. And I never want to pick it back up. I'm not sure exactly how many "friends" I had, several hundred or so if I had to hazard a guess, but I'm more convinced now than ever that we just aren't meant to know that much about that many people. I don't believe we were made to operate that way, and it took more of a toll on me, mentally, than I realized.
I don't miss it. At all.
HUGE surprise here. Especially considering how much hand-wringing the thought of leaving Facebook caused me initially. I don't feel left out, or out of the loop. I've had no problem staying in contact with others through email. And I realize now that social media is not even close to being a necessary part of life as I was beginning to believe it was.
I have more time in my day.
Less distraction means more time to build Legos with with my little guy, to chat and laugh with my teenager, and to snuggle up and watch a TV show with my daughter. I have realized, as a homeschool mom who chooses to be with my kids all day, every day, I was using social media as an opportunity to veg out, to escape when my brain needed a break. Now I'm finding ways to take that break that actually refresh me, like reading a good book, watching a TV show, or kicking my feet up for a short nap.
I'm starting to regain what was lost to a lifestyle of distraction.
I'm remembering goals and dreams that had been pushed to the back burner. Things I want to teach the kids and adventures I'd like to have as a family. I've stopped whatever I was doing at the moment to look a child in the face and really listen to what they were saying. I've gone to bed earlier. And instead of spending so much time reading articles about life hacks, recipes, parenting tips, and all the rest, I'm focusing my time and effort on actually living the beautiful life that is right in front of me.