Reducing my use of social media - accountability posts

[Azuresky68]

Good morning. I read all the posts on another thread AIBU about social media ruining people's lives.
Decided to start a new thread for my own accountability regarding the use of social media. Please free to join. It's not about replicating prevoius discussion posts, it's an accountabilty post for anyone wanting to post their strategy for reducing the use of social media in their daily life and staying accountable. Some people on say it's easy - just don't do it, but I am 69 and have found myself wasting too much time scrolling endlessly, despite my intial use being to follow my interests eg health, gardening, arts and entertainment, current affairs etc. I have been on holiday for 10 days and have made a conscious effort to reduce time on my phone.

So why am I posting here! Because I thought a new thread for those who actively want to reduce their time mindlessly scrolling might be of help. It isn't intended to be a chatty thread or it will defeat the purpose! I started off well after deciding to try on my own but the last few days I have found myself back to the scrolling. Wonder if there is an acronym for this activity?
I don't relate to the phrase Doomscrolling as I am usually looking at positive content..just on it for far too long.
I will still use my phone for life admin, specific seatches, listening to music and audiobooks. What i want to reduce is: Binge-scrolling: A term used for the act of engaging in endless, long-duration scrolling of short-form content (e.g., TikTok, Instagram Reels).
Dopamine Looping: Refers to the way digital platforms use algorithmic rewards to keep users hooked in a continuous cycle of scrolling
I will put my first post regarding accountability laater today. Anyway for now I am going back to reading my novel!

I'd like to join. I love reading book reviews and recommendations and have loads downloaded, but am reading at a snails pace. I have ordered the DOSE book mentioned and also have downloaded audible, to see if that makes concentration easier.

I am just to easily distracted by you tube, I don't have any other social media. I think I shall start with a half hour of dedicated reading a day first thing, with a no scrolling rule.

I had very little SM to begin with and slowly deleted Facebook and Twitter. Now I have only insta but my rule is that I am not allowed to ever open it myself. Only if someone sends me some link then I can watch it (and a bit more). Hence I barely spend any time at all on SM.
currently Mumsnet is the app I use the max!!
delete away and read stuff on your laptop. Keeps things sane.

I gave up social media. Just go in and delete the accounts (not just delete the app, the actual account). I still have facebook - but only to pop onto fb marketplace. I have defriended everyone, changed my profile pic to a grey icon and can only access it if I log into a browser.

Its been very liberating :-) If someone says something along the lines of "Have you seen xyz's holiday pictures on fb/instagram/tiktok", I love answering no, that I dont have any social media.

I speak to friends/family via whatsapp

You didn’t give up social media if you’re on Mumsnet. Don’t say it’s different because it isn’t

Ok then, I still pop on mumsnet but everything else has mostly gone.

This is supportive thread....why be negative?!!

So i have struggled a bit over last two days but nowhere near as much logging on. Will log om properly tomorrow

I have done quite well today. I instinctively reached for the laptop for a scroll and read for an hour instead. I met friends for lunch and don't typically use my phone, partly because I can't see the screen particularly well.

A bit more scrolling this eve, but watched a full history channel podcast rather than fluffy stuff, so all in all a good day.

Well done @PlainSkyr@Neuronimo and @CarrotParsnipOnionfor tips and ideas. This might not work but shall we try this then?
No worries if you don't think it's for you.
My aim is to reduce scrolling but I will still use social media of on a limited basis. I am setting a limit of 2 hours to include everything - FB, Insta, Mumsnet, What App and emails. I am retired so I have no excuse! The only exeption is listening to audiobooks, music and podcasts plus maps when travelling.
That's my plan for the moment and i will check in once or twice a week on my progress.
Reducing my use of Mumsnet too..hence not a daily check in.

I bought two novels last week. I havent read for ages and it was lovely. I did download the kindle app but its too easy to nip across and use mumsnet.....

I might treat myself to a kindle, so I pick that up instead of a phone

Is there a need to be so arsy?

personally i swapped to using linkedin, then generating chats on chatgpt, then on facebook its mainly sharing some mumsnet threads

alhtough the chatgpt, i think i do need to do the eg research one topic and then read the responses otherwise i jump from project to project

mumsnet is a lot better than facebook anyday of the week

@Azuresky68

It all sounds like a good idea, I'll aim to check in a couple of times a week too and will work towards the two hour a day limit. It sounds like we are doing similar with audio books podcasts.

I am also going to stop scrolling on Vinted, which has become a bit addictive. I will keep Mumsnet as I do really value the social contact being ND, but will aim to limit the popping in and out. I really do want to set some personal goals over the summer and to do some well being projects with a clearer head. I definitely feel a sense of calm when I scroll less.

Good to see everyone is doing well this week. Thanks again OP for the thread.

I’ve been a really big reader, since I was a little girl, and always read before going to sleep. In fact, I don’t understand how people just get into bed and turn the light off - but that’s another thread …

anyway, I’ve noticed that if I pick up my phone before my book, “for five minutes”, it’s 30 minutes plus , of course.
And that’s taking reading time away from me that really adds up. I’m mid fifties and there is so much I want to read. And I want to re-read all of Dickens and the Wolf Hall trilogy and all the Adrian Mole diaries and all of Austen, well, you get the picture, as well as a heaving in-pile. And all of that is more important to me than my phone.

But just knowing that isn’t enough. I’ve realised have to set my alarm on my phone while I’m still standing up, put the phone down on the floor, and only then get into bed and pick up my book. Made me realise how addictive “just one more refresh/5 more minutes” is once the phone is in my hand.

It's exactly that isn't it? I have some of the same reading goals, Dickens Austen and I think I have books two and three of Wolf hall to go. I've asked for actual paper copies of Swimming in the Dark and On Earth we are briefly gorgeous, for my Birthday too. They have been on my wish list.

Checking in to say I have done really badly over the last few days. Need to get a grip. Not asking for any sympathy ..I know what to do but have not been implementing it. It's partly because a dance group I am in has been trending on tik tok..we have 220k views! Not bad for a bunch of older extrovert people who love dancing and getting dressed up...such fun. But the constant checking has made me really tired so I need to stop for the rest of today! How is anyone else getting on...will check up tomorrow. Have a good weekend!

Is it wrong to say I'm glad you said that Azure, I haven't done so well this week? One stressy day, then a day with lots of reading, but hopping on and off of Mumsnet. Watching you tube once I'd exhausted all the interesting stuff, has been a bit like chewing old gum, that has lost it's flavour this week. Must try harder😅

Fantastic news about the dance troop, what an achievement. I think you can forgive yourself this once!

I did go to a local history group talk about our town this week. It was a bit 'Jammo Crammo' as someone once described things, but all very interesting.