Social media, for most, is a daily necessity. We usually find ourselves waking up with an immediate instinct to check our phones for the latest news, tweets, and Instagram posts. We usually find ourselves interacting more on social media than in real life, and it may feel like we’re stuck in this perpetual cycle of Twitter to Snapchat to Instagram then back to Twitter again. I, for one, have definitely felt myself becoming more and more dependent on social media, especially as a teenager, because it’s usually where most of my news and entertainment is situated. Therefore, I decided to take on the challenge that most teenagers (and even adults) have deemed strenuous and unnecessary: I quit social media for seven whole days.
(Also, quick side note, this was inspired by a Buzzfeed video revolved around adults quitting social media for a week.)
I should preface this by saying I quit Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Reddit since those are the ones I use most frequently.
After deleting my social apps, my feelings were very mixed with regret on one side and relief on the other. Considering my dependence on social media and how often I use it, there are only two outcomes I could see occurring at the end of the week: I go insane from the lack of contact and social media and exhibit side effects of a drug addict deciding to stay off of cocaine for a bit; or I realise how peaceful and serene life is without social media and I decide to make this adjustment somewhat permanent.
Day 1:
As soon as I wake up, though my immediate instinct is to check Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram, I remember that my phone has been rid of those apps. This removal makes it look extremely bare and desolate. As the day goes on, the urge to revert back to those apps only intensifies and the mirage of those apps remains embedded in my mind, as I keep scrolling to where my apps usually reside because I expect them to be there. Overall, no drastic lifestyle change has occurred yet, however, I do feel as if this impending feeling of regret will unravel as the week emerges and how addicted I truly am to social media will become abundantly clear as well.
Day 2:
Today was the first day where my social media leave has formed an actual, genuine inconvenience in my life because my first article (for Affinity Magazine) was released and it took an exponential amount of willpower to resist the yearning to go back on Twitter to discuss my article and see the reaction from people. But I did resist it, as I somehow managed to keep my mind off those apps for yet another day. So far, the only thing that is tempting me to return is my habitual fear of missing out on anything ‘important’ in the realm of social media.
Day 3:
Although the urge to use social media is slowly fading away, one thing that definitely hasn’t is the ridicule I am receiving from my family and friends, whether it’s them making fun of my situation or obnoxiously laughing at memes and tweets on their phones in front of me—it’s blatant that they find this humorous. Furthermore, I have also realized that my mind has formed a coping mechanism already, which is that essentially every dream I’ve had thus far has been revolved around using social media or being caught on social media after promising to take a leave. All in all, I’m just going to keep convincing myself that social media is the root of everything evil until I can return.
Day 4:
By pausing my use of social networking, as a result, I have developed new interests and began watching more documentaries, which in turn is expanding my mindset and knowledge. This means that quitting social media is already sustaining a positive effect on my life, which is inevitably going to occur considering I’m quitting something that is usually seen as detrimental to not only one’s health but also one’s education. Overall, I feel like I am slowly becoming accustomed to life without social media.
Days 5 & 6:
As I’m becoming more and more detached from social media, I’m aware now that my obsession with the internet stems from my want to talk about things and to have my opinion out there. In hindsight, the majority of my social media use was discussing topics and relaying my opinion for others to see. Although staying off social media hasn’t made me stop having opinions or anything, but it has helped me realize that I don’t have to announce all of my opinions or denounce anyone else’s.
Day 7:
There isn’t much change in my demeanor today, but I am much calmer and relaxed than I was at the beginning of the week. As I’m reaching the final moments of this challenging yet rewarding week, it’s become abundantly clear to me that social media is a vital aspect of all of our lives whether we want it to be or not, especially considering it is only going to keep growing and progressing, it’s inexorable that it will remain important. Without social media, you become left out of most conversations and feel ostracized and dissociated from the internet and society in general.
Therefore, teenagers shouldn’t be criticized for partaking in something that is already proving to be a predominant part of society and the way the world works, but also we’re young and shouldn’t refrain from thriving and enjoying the things we enjoy just as our grandparents did in their generations. And if social media is our Marilyn Monroe then so be it.
In conclusion, even though I’m using it less often, this week has made me grow a certain appreciation for social media. It’s a tool that has the ability to connect people worldwide at the click of a few buttons and we should value it.
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