Social media detox: is it possible?

“I am done. I am quitting social media.” This is a phrase we have all said or heard at least once, usually in response to a ruined sleep schedule or an hour-long doom-scrolling session that was supposed to only be 10 minutes. Yet despite our best intentions, the allure of notifications, perfectly curated feeds, and endless posts often pull us back in.

We have all heard the cliche “comparison is the thief of joy”, and it really is

A digital detox will undoubtedly have positive benefits for most people. Many of us open one app, scroll, and close it after a couple of minutes, only to open the same app again 10 minutes later to look for something new. A digital detox is possible when you follow the right steps. For instance, set boundaries with your devices. Set a screen time limit and set a password on your screen time to help you stick to it. Setting limits on your social media apps can have many benefits, including helping to improve your sleep, increasing energy, decreasing anxiety, and giving you more time to focus on yourself and the ones you love.

Social media can be toxic, often causing issues with self-esteem and mental health. Everyone has their reasons for wanting to detox, each equally valid. If the reason behind you wanting to take a break is for your mental health, but you are reluctant to delete the multiple apps, do your best to remove your triggers from your feed. Mute them if you find it too hard to unfollow straight away. We have all heard the cliche “comparison is the thief of joy”, and it really is. Healing and helping yourself is not easy, nor is it a linear process. Mute, restrict, unfollow, block — do whatever helps you.

We are easily sucked into apps such as TikTok, BeReal, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, and many feel a constant pressure to be online. Start your detox by deleting one, and then gradually get rid of the rest in your own time. Out of sight, out of mind. There are other ways to be engaged that do not involve posting constantly, just remember to be mindful of what you are replacing your phone time with. Swapping one digital distraction for another is easy, so make sure you try to refocus your energy toward more constructive activities during your detox period. If it helps, set a timeline for when you want this detox period to end. Having an end goal may help complete a successful detox.

Take a break from social media, and have a detox

Nowadays, most of us are hardly ever without our phones. They’re always there waiting to devour our attention. We bounce from one social media app to another, mindlessly scrolling, double-tapping, and comparing ourselves to others, only to close one app and do the same on the next one. It is a cycle so entrenched in our lives that it is undoubtedly hard to break. But we need to allow ourselves to experience boredom. We need to be able to get uncomfortable and sit with ourselves to be able to become more present and learn more about ourselves. Take a break from social media and have a detox. You might surprise yourself with what new habits and behaviours you pick up.