Detox

 ‘Detoxification (detox for short) is the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, including the human body.’

That’s from Wikipedia.

Despite its medical association, it’s interesting how the term ‘detox’ can often be heard in relation to social media.

This and the accompanying idea that social media has become a common drug is something so ubiquitous that saying ‘I’m having a detox’ is almost as synonymous with technology as it is with alcohol, in some circles.

Of course, alcoholism and drug addiction are still very real issues but self-diagnosed technology addiction is perhaps a greater concern for some.

Am I an addict? Who knows. But I certainly recognise that my relationship with social media is not always healthy. 

As a result, I’ve begun to make a conscious effort towards putting some margin in that area of my life.

For the past few weeks I’ve been taking a break from social media for one day a week.

I don’t plan on stopping.

I am a social media native.

Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram burst onto the scene whilst I was at school.

I’ve not always been surrounded by it (I am grateful for those precious early years that were blissfully unaffected by it) but it has become a key part of my social existence for the entirety of my adult life.

Not that age makes a difference to how you use social media. Everybody’s on it. Just in different ways. 

Its addictive nature is indiscriminate to generation and the only way you can hope to be immune is by not being on it at all.

With each notification the allure of activity and affirmation builds. Habitual ticks and instinctive patterns dictate how we use technology in general.

There is nothing inherently wrong with social media or technology. The latter certainly has changed our society for the better and there are many good things to have come from social media. I think.

That said, there’s no denying both the toxicity that can come from it and our own inability to step away.

It’s work 

Part of the reason why I felt there was a need for a change is that for me social media isn’t just for socialising. 

It’s an active part of my work. Not so much as a service I offer but rather an integral part of my own marketing.

And it’s hard work.

Creating good content and posting regularly as well as engaging with other people’s posts is a full-time job. 

I do it on top of my actual work and whilst I may look at offsetting that at some point in the future there’s only so much of that I can do.

It’s still got to be me at the end of the day. Me being a real human being interacting with other real human beings.

Except it’s not really real. To be really real would be impossible. Posting on social media requires manufacturing a persona and filtering what you put out there.

I would never want to put all of me out there. I’m quite happy with people on the internet not knowing everything about me and I’m fortunate enough that I don’t need social media to socialise.

But the fact is if I want to have a successful business, I have to be active. As such I’m constantly aware of not just the desire but the need to be on there.

The ultimate procrastination tool 

The other side of it comes from when I don’t need to be on there. Often when I should be working.

What makes social media so addictive is the fact that it’s always new.

As such it’s the perfect procrastination tool. (As I’ve addressed before.)

If the work in front of me isn’t changing then at least the endless scroll of Twitter will.

It occupies the mind for a short time whilst I can put off the work I’m supposed to be doing. 

At the same time, I’m feeding FOMO.

There’s a subtle feeling in all of us of wanting to be a part of something and to know what’s going on. Social media gives us a taste of that.

When our own lives are momentarily uninteresting, we can always stimulate them with whatever is going on online.

It’s time for a change

This tension between constantly needing to be stimulated and the business’s need to be visible is not, I don’t think, a particularly healthy place to be.

I can manage it for a bit. I don’t think it’s a completely bad thing.

With a few productivity tools and a splash of discipline I can keep it under control and make it work for me. 

But we’re not slaves to it.

It’s a big part of our lives and that’s probably not going to change but it’s not everything.

On the seventh day…

For most of my life in some way, shape or form I’ve practised the Christian Sabbath.

The Sabbath exists in other faiths too but it is an important part of the Christian faith that Western Christianity, weighed down by the Capitalist culture that surrounds it, often forgets to observe.

If you aren’t aware, the Sabbath is a weekly practice of rest. For one day a week (or one, ideally unbroken 24-hour period) practisers of the Sabbath completely rest from work and avoid anything that isn’t restful. A true day off.

Most westerners get the idea of a day off but our busy lives don't always allow us to have one.

For me it’s about doing things which bring me joy. Indulging a little in the good things of life and being grateful for what’s in front of me. Not looking to the future or the past. Just being in the present.

Carpé diem, if you like.

You may practice something similar regardless of your personal beliefs, faith or none.

I realised that social media, as good as it often is, was not restful, for the reasons mentioned above.

Extensive use of it has numerous negative effects including being exhausted and burnt out. Not to mention just feeling down about the state of the world. Time for a detox.

So, for the last few weeks, as a bit of an experiment, for one day I’ve been switching off any remaining notifications (I have most of them off anyway), apart from messenger for if my family wants to contact me, and leaving my phone in my room in the corner of my desk.

It’s not turned off but I find I’m disciplined enough to basically not touch it.

What’s next? 

Well, it’s been a revelation.

By the time I get to Sunday (my chosen Sabbath day, but it doesn’t have to be) I’m looking forward to not looking at my phone. 

I’ll have a quick binge the night before perhaps, to catch up on some Insta stories or the latest news on Twitter, then that’ll be it.

A few times throughout the day I’m tempted to take a peek when I get that little nudge of boredom, but the feeling quickly goes.

I realise I don’t need to know what’s going on. It can wait. As a result, the space in my mind that I would have occupied with social media is now free to just… be bored.

Remember what that was like?

I find myself thinking about stuff. Properly daydreaming and ultimately feeling creative. I get ideas and because I’ve got nothing else in the calendar I can just go and act on them. 

Ultimately, I come away feeling refreshed. A true detox.

I can face the next week with a fresh perspective after an opportunity to just, be. Not hounded by the noise of the internet.

I plan on keeping this up and making a habit of it. A good habit.

Why don’t you give it a go?