The Mind Numbing Distraction of Social Media
This week I have been trying to pay special attention to the social media that I consume. Specifically, how much social media I consume on the daily. Usually it is something that I unconsciously turn on when I'm waiting for class, sitting at my desk at work, hanging out in the kitchen waiting for dinner to finish cooking, or any other random, thoughtless moment.
As I've tried to be more conscious of the amount of media I am consuming, just on my phone, not to mention the amount of movies or TV shows I might watch in my free time during the week, I have realized that it is something of a crutch for me. When I feel bored or uncomfortable, I turn to my Instagram or Pinterest immediately. I feel a bit like Linus from the Peanuts cartoons with his safety blanket and thumb.
In an effort to be more present, I am making a goal to really stick to my 15 minute app time limit, which I usually dismiss 5-6 times a day like a snooze button on a particularly early morning. I don't want my phone to be a glorified thumb to stick in my mouth when I'm feeling bored. I want it to be something more intentional and more useful to me than just some kind of mind-numbing distraction.
No more Linuses here.
I looooove this post! I can really relate to mindlessly using my phone and using it to fill time. I also have been trying to be more intentional with my media use and have already seen a difference in my life!
ReplyDeleteAshley, I totally know what you mean. What you said about getting on your phone when you're bored or uncomfortable resonated with me. Lately, I've noticed that I'll get on my phone to avoid talking to certain people or to avoid any sort of interaction with people who might want to engage. I use it as an excuse, it makes me look busy or uninterested. But if I know that about myself, I should find other ways to cope with social anxieties.
ReplyDeleteWow! I have had the same thoughts this week. On Sunday I made a goal to get rid of Facebook and Instagram on my phone. Whenever I turn to my phone when I am bored, I try to go to Instagram and I am reminded that I need to use the time I have available to spend on school work or church stuff. My goal this week really has helped me to be more productive.
ReplyDeleteI totally do the same thing! I eventually turned off my app limits because I got so bad at actually following them. Maybe I should try again haha. Let me know if you figure out a way to stop yourself from hitting "snooze"!
ReplyDeleteHaha, it looks like a lot of us feel the same way you do! Its really hard not to look at the phone when I'm bored or even when I'm stressed and don't want to face whatever I have to do. I like that you said you're making it your goal not to use it as a crutch. That's something I would like to work on doing. I periodically delete social media for that reason, but I think a more permanent solution is to change the reason I look at it like you mentioned!
ReplyDeleteOh my! I totally relate to this. My phone is the thing that makes me feel most comfortable in situations that are awkward, boring, or quiet. It gives me a crutch to lean on when I don't wanna talk to people around me- but I want to change that just like you have committed to! I think it's such a great goal! I hate the notification my phone gives me every Sunday on how much time I've spent on my phone that week- i'm always a little embarrassed. but I really want to improve this in myself! thanks for your post!
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