A day without social media: replacing that time with something else
Social media is everywhere: in your pocket, on standby, as a reflex. It connects and distracts us, inspires and makes us compare. A week with no break is a continuous parade of opinions, photos, idealized lives. This weekly quest offers a day of fasting: a day without social media, replaced by something else.
What it looks like in your day
Choose the day. A realistic day: Sunday, Saturday, a day of rest. Announce it to those who might worry: “Tomorrow, I'm off the networks.”
Prepare technically. Uninstall or hide the apps for the day, log out, set a blocking timer. The harder it is to reopen, the better.
Plan something to fill the gap. A void fills up fast. A few ideas:
- Read a paper book, the Bible, a short story.
- See people in real life: a meal, a coffee, a visit.
- Go out: a walk, sport, nature.
- Create: cook, draw, do DIY, write.
- Pray and be quiet.
- Call a loved one instead of commenting on their posts.
Observe the reflexes. In the first hours, you will no doubt want to check. Notice what you feel: boredom, a sense of lack, relief.
Take stock in the evening. What did you gain? What did you miss? What does it say about your relationship with social media?
Decide what comes next. Regulate your use? Deactivate certain accounts? Set time slots?
If you are short on time, try a half day. If you are shy, you don't have to justify yourself. If you use social media for work, choose a day when you aren't working. If you are a parent, it is a fine opportunity to show your children that you can live a whole day without showing your life online, and to invite them to follow you, even for just a few hours.
What the Bible says
Paul writes to the Romans:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”: social media shapes our desires, opinions, comparisons, often without our noticing. Withdrawing for a day offers the mind the chance to be renewed by something else. Jesus himself regularly withdrew from crowds and agitation to pray (Luke 5:16).
Psalm 131, finally, describes a calm and quiet heart, without pretension or agitation (Psalms 131:2): an ideal that social media makes difficult.
Pitfalls to avoid
Replacing it with another screen. If you spend the day watching videos, you gain nothing. Look for the real.
Judging yourself if you give in. If you reopen social media at 3 p.m., it is not a failure. Look at why, and start again the following week.
Demonizing social media. It also serves to keep in touch, to stay informed, to serve. The goal is to become free again.
Isolating yourself. A day without social media is not a day without people. Replace it with meetings.
Thinking you are better. Don't be condescending toward those who stay on it. Everyone has their struggles.
This week, choose a day without social media. Replace that time with something that nourishes you.