Unplug to Tune In: A Social Media Detox Reflection

I just completed a 7-day long social media detox. One of my 2021 goals was to limit my social media time. I was noticing how much time I was spending scrolling on social media. It was like a habit. I didn't even notice that I was scrolling or that I had been for hours. My concern is not necessarily wasting time on social media but the lack of intentionality around my social media usage. Social media has been a part of my life since like 7th grade. It's like a natural habit to be present on social media, to scroll, see endless reels of people's lives and to constantly be plugged in. I realized that I felt an absence without my phone or being logged on to social media. I didn't like that feeling. It made me feel not in control.

My theme for 2021 is "Showing Up" and a big part of that is taking my power back. Not from anyone or anything, but a sort of personal reclamation. Along with being present, is being intentional. To choose what I allow in my life and activities that benefit me and help me to thrive. I realized that my mindless scrolling on social media wasn't serving me and that it really wasn't a mindless activity. The constant stream of media, merchandise, and people's lives is a lot to consume. I'm not blind to the ways social media affects the psyche and emotional health. For a while now I have felt disinterested in constantly knowing about the lives of other people, documenting my every moment, and seeking the perfect, curated image. If we are being honest, so much of social media is a performance. Every day we are performing for others through our various apps. But I want to perform for me. I want to give and save my best self for myself. I want to put on a show for me. I'm my audience and I hope to reflect that on my socials and in real life. I don't think social media is toxic, I think our attitude and usage can become toxic. Ultimately, we are in control of curating a relationship with social media that is intentional and fun.

This is truly my purpose with @SoeSoulFull. In the “about me” section, you’ll see the following:

"This world is full of so many distractions. It's easy to spend this lifetime avoiding others and most importantly ourselves. This is my way to fight the simulation. To confront me. To confront and allow space for my thoughts, feelings, and ideas. I hope to inspire someone to do the same. To come home to themselves and become rooted in who they are...Join me?"

When you engage with this platform, I hope for it to lead you back to yourself. To spark a personal conversation and personal reflection. So you know you are not alone but that you are also a powerful individual. To be a space of mindful social media that leaves you Soe-Full :)

So yea, my social media detox was good. The biggest lesson that I learned was that it's way bigger than social media. It’s deeper than social media. It's less about the social, it's more about the self. Anything in this life can teach you more about yourself and lead you closer to your true being if you allow it. The purpose isn’t to become better, but to live more truthfully. To master self is to truly be in this world. I hope to continue to have mini detoxes to unplug from the matrix and tune into the truth.

SoeSoulFull Suggestion: J. Cole in Conversation with Angie Martinez, Speaks on Unplugging from Social Media and Being in Control of Self.