Things I learned during my social media detox and more

You know you’ve hit a new low when your thumb has a mind of its own, automatically clicking on that social media—er, Facebook in my case—icon. Yep, that was my wake-up call.

I was already a productivity queen, juggling work-from-home tasks. But then, my feeds turned into a cesspool of angst and shade-throwing. Enough was enough. I hit “unfollow” more times than I’d like to admit (some even from relatives and really close friends) and finally decided to go cold turkey on social media when watching Reels was already getting in the way of work.

Uhuh, the lessons I learned as a mom and as an individual during this detox were eye-opening, to say the least. From rediscovering my love for poetry and Korean dramas to actually having meaningful conversations with my family, my life took a turn I never saw coming. Okay, that’s exaggerated. But honestly, my life has become really peaceful.

The breaking point

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Ah, the breaking point. You know, that moment when you’re scrolling through your feed and it feels like you’ve stumbled into a digital boxing ring? For a whole week, my feed was a battleground of passive-aggressive jabs and full-on call-outs. It was like watching a reality TV show, but without the popcorn or the fun. And let’s be real: as someone who battles depression, this was the last thing I needed. It was draining, overwhelming, and downright annoying.

But here’s the kicker: Facebook had become my morning coffee, my midday pick-me-up, and my bedtime story. I’d open my eyes in the morning and—bam!—Facebook. During breaks? Facebook. Before hitting the sack? You guessed it, Facebook. It was a never-ending cycle of digital chaos.

I thought I’d solved the problem by hitting “unfollow” on the drama Queens and Kings, but oh boy, I was wrong. One day, I found myself two hours deep into Reels during what was supposed to be a 30-minute break. That was the last straw. I did some quick mental math and realized I was wasting hours—yes, hours—on mindless scrolling and watching videos that did nothing but rile me up.

The only thing that saved Facebook from my chopping block was Messenger. It’s the family hotline, so deleting it was a no-go. But everything else? Sayonara! No preparations, no readying me or my loved ones; it was simply cold turkey goodbye social media.

The first 48 hours

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So, I jumped into this detox like a kid cannonballing into a pool—no prep, no second thoughts, just a big ol’ splash. I thought the first 48 hours would be a struggle, like trying to quit chocolate cold turkey. But guess what? It was a breeze! I didn’t even get the itch to open any social media apps. Instead, I was knee-deep in Korean dramas and random house projects.

But oh, how the tables turned a week later. My inbox started filling up with messages like, “Are you alive?” and “Where’d you go?” Even my dad chimed in! That’s when it hit me: Was I really that glued to my screen that people noticed my digital absence? Yikes. Those messages just fueled my resolve to stick with the detox.

Fast forward to two weeks, and the FOMO started creeping up. I had to force myself to open Netflix instead of scrolling through endless posts. But hey, I found a workaround—I started actually talking to people. Imagine that! Texting friends, chatting with my kids after school—the whole shebang!

A month in, and it’s like I’ve been reborn. I felt free, and let me tell you, freedom never felt so good.

The lessons I learned—err, more like things I realized

So, if you’re imagining me in an emotional saga during this detox, think again. It was more like a series of “Aha!” moments that made me cringe at my past self. “Did I really use to do that?” I thought. Before the detox, Facebook was my go-to for updates on family and friends. But once I stepped back, I started having real conversations. The information was less, but the connections were deeper and way more meaningful. It was like swapping small talk for soul talk. I learned a lot, and here are just some of them.

Lesson 1: The art of mindfulness

Before the detox, my idea of mindfulness was making sure I didn’t accidentally hit “like” while snooping on someone’s post from two years ago. But once I unplugged, I started noticing things I’d been taking for granted. Like, did you know air conditioners make serious noise? Mine had been humming like a freight train, and I didn’t even realize it until my daughter pointed it out. And my plants? Gone. My cats’ food? They hated it. Even my morning coffee smelled different—better, like the first time I fell in love with it.

But it wasn’t just the little things. I started tuning into the bigger picture, too. I actually talked to my second daughter, who’s way better at avoiding social media than her mom. We had real conversations, not just emoji exchanges. And my mom? I started visiting her room almost daily. Sure, the nagging increased (she’s old), but this time, I didn’t mind. In fact, I kind’a loved it.

Lesson 2: Real connections matter

I used to think I was the queen bee of social circles, all because I was up-to-date with everyone’s latest posts. But during my detox, I had this moment where I remembered a friend who was always posting negative stuff—throwing shade, calling people out, the whole nine yards. So, I did something radical: I messaged her. What I found out was eye-opening. She was going through a rough patch, and here I was, judging her from the sidelines.

That’s when it hit me. Social media had me skimming the surface, but real life? That’s where the deep stuff is. I realized I could actually help her because, let’s be real, I’ve been in her shoes. I had wasted so much time scrolling and judging when I could’ve been reaching out and connecting. It’s like I was annoyed by the very thing I was contributing to—reading negative posts but doing nothing about them.

Lesson 3: Time is gold (cliche much!)

The phrase “Time is Gold” took on a whole new meaning during my detox. I discovered a treasure trove of free hours that I used to squander on social media. Those hours turned into chapters of books read, poems penned, and heartfelt entries in my long-neglected journal. My kids, who are pretty much grown now, and my equally grown-up cats got to enjoy more quality time with me (or the other way around, because I don’t think they enjoy my company haha)—real conversations, not just emoji exchanges.

Work-wise, I was on fire, finishing projects not just hours but sometimes an entire day before the deadline. And my Korean drama sessions? They became a guilt-free indulgence. I only watch ongoing series, so there’s a natural stopping point, and I even play them in the background while working. No more FOMO. I even revived my dormant blog, adding another level of fulfillment to my life.

Lesson 4: Don’t judge a…err, just don’t!

Talk about a reality check. I had to face the uncomfortable truth that I was contributing to the very toxicity I was trying to escape. I used to share those viral videos without a second thought, not considering the real-life impact on the people involved. And, oh geez, was I ever a card-carrying member of the cancel culture club. I’d dismiss someone’s entire character based on a single misstep, completely ignoring their talents or positive traits.

The detox was like holding up a mirror to my online behavior. It was humbling and a bit embarrassing, to be honest. I was guilty of the same vague, attention-seeking posts that had driven me to unfollow others. But this detox journey wasn’t just about cleaning up my feed; it was about cleaning up my act. I’ve since become a more thoughtful and responsible social media user, and that’s a change I can live with.

The New Me, Unplugged and Unfiltered

So, here we are, at the end of my social media detox journey. If you had told me a few months ago that I’d be this zen without my daily dose of Facebook drama, I’d have laughed in your face. But look at me now—more mindful, more connected, and let’s be real, way more productive.

I’ve swapped the chaos of endless scrolling for the peace of meaningful interactions, both online and off. And the best part? I’ve become a better version of myself, one that I actually like (okay, fine, I’m still really working on that).

So, if you’re on the fence about a social media detox, just remember: sometimes you have to unplug to recharge.

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