5 Things I've learned from being off social media

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In following through with my New Year’s resolution to stay off social media for the month of January, I’ve noticed a few things:

1. I check my phone far more than I thought I did.

*I never realized what a habit it is for me to look at my phone! It’s like any time I have a spare second I’m reaching for the thing! I feel so silly grabbing it so much now since I’m off social media. Like do I really need to check my email 100 times a day? No, because, let's be honest, I don't need to check and see how many coupons have been sent my way from every website/store I've ever shopped at...EVER. Which reminds me I probably need to go through and unsubscribe from all the junk mail I get it my inbox.I get maybe 5-7 legitimate emails that need tending to a day, so to check my email all the time is a waste.

1. I thought I might get FOMO (the “fear of missing out”) but it turns out I’m not.

*I do miss engaging by commenting back and forth with people, but otherwise I’m not sitting around wondering what everyone I follow is doing every second of the day.

1. I’m reading more.

*I forget how much I enjoy reading until I sit down to do it. I know I love to read but sometimes I let mindless activities steal my attention; watching TV and checking social media being at the top of the list.

1. I’m more productive around the house.

*More often than not, if I’m looking at Instagram or Facebook at home, I will get lost in the black hole for 30 minutes or more. I would start clicking around and before I knew it I’d wasted so much time just staring at my phone. It’s like I would black out for a while and when I came to I’m looking around thinking, “Where am I? What have I been doing? How is it already 10:30?! I should be in bed!” Now, instead of succumbing to the social media tractor beam, I fold clothes, I pick up around the house, I unload the dishwasher, I write, I don't put off emails/phone calls, etc. Basically, I get stuff done more quickly because I've lessened my distractions.

1. I go to bed earlier.

*Because if I’m trying to eat healthy AND I’m off social media, what else is there to do after 9:00pm? If I can’t sneak junk food while my kids are asleep or stalk people on the internet, what good is staying up late? Truth bomb.

So here’s to one New Year’s resolution that’s been good for me and hard for me. How are your resolutions going? Good, bad, or ugly? I want to know!

-Courtney

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