F.O.M.O.
Many of us get F.O.M.O. (Fear Of Missing Out) when we think about logging out to take a break from social media. I always struggle with deleting the Facebook and Instagram apps off my cell phone. How about you? Do you ever feel like you have to stay present and be aware of everything going on in the lives of your friends, acquaintances, and celebs online?
Approval Addiction
Think for a second about how important it is to you to post your best self and life on social media. Like many people, you may be concerned about whether your life looks exciting enough, or if people like you. On the other hand, you may secretly envy and desire the lives of people that you follow.
With this in mind, I must stop for a second and make something clear to both myself and you. Listen closely and repeat after me, “This way of thinking is NOT healthy, period!”
Here Comes Hardship
At this point, I figure you may be thinking that approval addiction is not that big of a deal. However, when life around you feels like it is closing in, and you have lost all hope in yourself, the habit of always being concerned about other’s opinions can become dangerous.
Earlier this year, my life felt like it was spiraling out of control. I looked at myself and saw my anxiety building rapidly and depression pushing me lower and lower into a dark hole.
Sadly, I looked at others around me and felt like I was pretty pathetic. Two significant areas of my life were being affected. One was my work life, and another was my personal life. I felt like I had lost all control of my work, and my best friend tragically passed away as well.
Fast forward to today, and I have to tell you that being consumed with what other people might think did not push me back to stability. The only one who pulled me through that storm is God himself. Many times we neglect our time with God when we see life is progressing well, and we feel life is grand. But God wants relationship and fellowship with us in the good times and bad.
Why Does Social Media Matter?
Now you’re probably wondering how social media ties into all of this. Well, it’s simple. Social media rules a substantial amount of time during our day. A portion of this time would benefit many of us better if we are spending it with God. Get a clear picture below of how much time our society spends on social media.
– An average user spends 2 hours and 24 minutes per day on social media in 2020.
– 50.1% of the time spent on mobile is done using social media apps in 2020.
– Facebook is the most popular, costing people an average of 2 hours and 24 minutes each day.
– Youtube takes an average of 40 minutes per day.
– Users spend an average of 30 minutes per day on Snapchat in 2020.
– Instagram users are spending an average of 28 minutes on the platform daily in 2020.
– Pinterest users take it slow and scroll through ideas for only 14.2 minutes every day.
Source: techjury.net
In addition to reading statistics like the ones above, I checked my screen time on my cell phone and realized that this was time poorly spent. Social media can often be a time waster and a highlight reel that becomes discouraging after a while.
My Social Media Hiatus
After realizing this, I chose to take a break from social media recently. The time I spent on hiatus allowed my mind to be free from distractions and available to God. The two hours and some change that I would normally spend on social media became time for prayer, journaling my feelings, reading God’s word, self-care, and being present with the people around me.
During my break, I was able to
- Talk to God more
- Grow closer to God
- Unwind
- Implement Self-Care
- Mourn in a healthy way
- Deal with my feelings through therapy
- Be free from the temptation to compare myself to others
- Spend time with the ones who know me best and sincerely love me
- Gain time back
- Find peace
In conclusion, if you are struggling with mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual anguish, I encourage you to log off. Give yourself time to work through the obstacles before you and regain your strength. Get out of the face of social media and get in the presence of God.
Above all, my prayer for you is that your experience is as fruitful as my hiatus was for me.
Before you log back on, set time boundaries for social media. Stay committed to seeking the face of God in trying seasons as well as seasons of abundance.
You’ve got this!
Until next time!
Be blessed and not stressed,
Priscilla
Are you a believer? Explore the gift of salvation here.
[kofi]