Experimenting with a social media break

Yesterday, I started a course from Leonie Dawson on how to market without social media. As a result, I also decided to take a one week break from social media. For me, that's primarily Facebook and Instagram. 

Like many of us, I spend what should be a shocking amount of time just scrolling on both of these platforms without having a purpose. It's mindless and mind-numbing. 

While there may be times when mind-numbing might seem like a good idea, for the most part, I think it's a terrible idea. Let's face it:

Social media is not social. 

There are some exceptions to social media not actually being social, but for the most part, I think most of us use it to forget reality, to look for external (yet fleeting) validation, and to feel connected even though it disconnects us over the long run.

Yesterday alone, I was more productive than I have been in a long time. And, it felt good! Instead of scrolling mindlessly, I:

• Completed several modules in Leonie Dawson's Marketing without Social Media course
• Wrote a blog post
• Planned other blog posts
• Read from three different books
• Spent time with my dog
• Worked on my vintage and handmade goods Etsy shop
• Worked on my coloring pages and printable downloads Etsy shop
• Cleaned
• Decluttered
• Chatted with several friends by text
• Made a plan for the week

I could do all of those things on days that I use social media, but in reality, I might only do a tiny fraction of that list consistently when Facebook and Instagram are at my fingertips.

I'm excited to see how this week goes. It's not the first time I've taken a social media break, and it likely won't be the last, but it is the first time where I've also made plans for the time that previously was spent scrolling mindlessly.

Despite the boredom I wrote about yesterday (and honestly, scrolling social media is pretty boring!), I'm feeling positive today and like I will be accomplishing a lot this week. 

Some of those plans include:

• Promoting my college application essay review sessions without social media
• Finishing an e-book on decluttering and posting it for sale 
• Start (and maybe finish?) and e-book on becoming a private tutor
• Make progress on designing my how to become a private tutor e-course

Have you taken a social media break before? How did it go? Share any tips you might have to extend my break beyond a week!

Links may be affiliate in nature. Purchases made through links may result in a small commission to me at no extra expense to you. Thank you in advance!