I decided it was time to unplug from EVERYTHINIG for a while to just feel reconnected to ME and MY world. As of 5 p.m. on Sunday I signed off of Facebook, instagram, twitter (which to be honest I still don’t understand!) snapchat, words with friends, Netflix and my tv. My goal was simple…. UNPLUG my life to RECHARGE my soul…
I find that so often we can fall into the trap of comparing our EVERY DAY life to others HIGHLIGHTED moments and feel so sad or lonely…or just… less. However, I also realize that as soon as we use comparison we lose our gratitude vision. We forget that we DO have our own awesome highlights in the boring, regular, day to day. Here are a few of mine I rediscovered this week….
I am grateful for my healthy, happy family of 4. I am grateful for our cozy house. I am grateful to work with some of the best people around. I am grateful for my quick drive to my church. I am grateful for walks at night with my husband. I am grateful for mother/daughter dates to movies, lunch and nails. I am grateful for deep conversations with my philosophical son. I am grateful for a soft bed and comfy sheets. I am grateful for so much… I am blessed for sure. And even if my instagram/facebook is filled with others highlights, I would NEVER trade my simple, lovely life in for any of those moments I sometimes find myself envying. 
To be totally honest… and surprising to myself… I did NOT miss Facebook or instagram. I found that part really easy to not be so tied to. As a matter of fact, my dear friend Karen told me when she got her new phone she did not install the Facebook app on it and it has brought her a lot of freedom. I think I will follow suit and delete it from my phone, but still be able to check in daily on the computer if needed. Now don’t get me wrong, I do LOVE seeing my friends pictures and hearing about their highlights that they so freely share, so I will never be completely off Facebook!!! Also, my Younique business (3D fiber lash mascara & more) and my Good Carma (hand stamped business) are very successfully run through Facebook, so I NEED to stay active there.
So, what did I miss most of my media fast??? What I found missing most was my nightly TV (since I am often the last one to bed, I usually unwind with a favorite show or a good binge of Netflix. Also I REALLY missed playing my words with friends!!! I love to end my day with some scrabble challenges with my mom, my friends and even some wwf people I don’t actually know. I LOVE my words with friends. So my usual routine of watching a rerun of FRIENDS while I play my WWF was sadly missed! This was the surprise to me. I guess it’s because this allows me to turn off my “thinking” of the day and just zone out and relax before bed. As an empath (who feels others emotions deeply) I am often exhausted by the end of a busy day. As much as my co-workers refuse to believe I am a social introvert (haha) I DO need my alone time to defrag and just be.
One other thing I missed was my silly snapchatting with my funny friends Susan, Ann Marie and my sister. Oh, how those little snaps crack me up during the day! I’ll be snappin’ y’all tonight!!!
So overall, I do feel that my week media fast was a GOOD thing. I have enjoyed the freedom of time it seems to have created. I did read 2 books, space-save bag all of my blankets and comforters, make some yummy meals for the family… but I also look forward to catching up with my social media friends and sharing their joys, highlights and overall community that social media can create. My challenge to YOU is what would YOU miss if you unplugged for awhile? Would you start living your life for YOU and not for that great post you can’t wait to make? What would YOU discover in your media fast? What are YOU grateful for that you have forgotten because of the comparison myth?
Are you wondering how to know if YOU need a media fast? Ask yourself these questions.
- Is the first thing I do in the morning and the last thing I do at night is check my phone for updates on social media?
- Do my kids say I am on my phone too much?
- Do you make sure to have your phone with you EVERYWHERE you go?
- Do you go into a panic if you forgot your phone at home?
- Do you check your social media more than once a day????
Would love to hear your comments…
Will I do this media fast again??? YES!!! I think I might make this a semi-annual event.
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