Social media detox: anyone want to join me?

[Jogrunwalksleep]

I am in desperate need of a social media detox and wondered if anyone wanted to join me, as I think I'll find it hard. I want to spend a week without using Facebook, messenger or Whats App. It makes me anxious and I am terribly addicted. Terribly. It's a problem and I think it comes at the expense of my mental health.

It's not a forever thing, I thought I would try for one week as I think I could do that relatively quietly, and then reassess.

I see MN as different because it doesn't make me anxious as it's not in the same category for me.

Any takers?

Just do it... you won't regret it

I’m interested. How do you plan to do it for just one week?

Join me mistle!! I think more than one week intimidates me and it’s baby steps. I’ve deleted all the apps from my mobile as a first step. Plus I don’t see it as a forever thing, hopefully after some time away I’ll form better habits. I am proper addicted though and social media makes me anxious.

So checking in for day one ...

Does sm make anyone else anxious?

I periodically do this. Or I delete the app so I have to log on to a browser which is a pain in the ass - my bad habit is instagram rather than Facebook though, and I agree, it makes me anxious. I was also getting my screen report times through and feeling ridiculous at literally the entire days I was spending online.

Good luck!

As if on cue - look what’s just come through!

I’m actually ashamed, that’s ridiculous amount of time to have my phone in my hand...... gah!

I agree re the anxiety.

Gosh I’d love to join you but certainly don’t think I could give up WhatsApp. I notice a huge difference with my mental health when I spend lots of time on instagram. And spend FAR too much time on my phone. Wish I could go back to an old Nokia!

I'll join please! Fb and insta are terrible for me at the moment.

I’ve come off Facebook and do feel better for it.

cheezy maybe just give up WhatsApp for a week?

Welcome ina!

wild was it hard?

I spent hours stalking an ex so took drastic action and went back to a non smart phone. It is annoying when trying to organise stuff etc but the difference in my mental health is huge. I also have so much more time to do things that enrich my life rather than make me anxious about it. The first couple of weeks were the hardest. It definitely gets easier over time. Good luck.

I had fb and snapchat (I've never had Twitter or instagram) they were both making me depressed and anxious so I got rid of both. Then relatives were texting me asking for pics of the kids every couple of days 😩 so I made a new fb with only very close friends and relatives (30) so I could put pics in one place rather than having to send them to everyone. Plus I use market place a lot so missed that. Things are much better now and I barely scroll through because there's Nothing to see lol

I’ve just deleted all the apps 😬 my screen time has shocked me - 57 hours this week. 2 and a half whole days. That’s utterly shameful, I’ve genuinely shocked myself.

My screen time is awful too.

My motivation is being less available for a couple of people who blow hot and cold and the stress I feel when I know someone is online and not responding. I know on a rational level I’m not entitled to someone’s time but it doesn’t help. Especially a man I know who is intense and random with contact and it makes my anxiety worse

tootrue a burner phone is a good idea

Good for you ninja!

I've deleted fb 3 years ago and have never looked back.
Dh too.

Do you ever get FOMO robin?

tootrue I stalk my ex a lot too..... it doesn’t make me feel happy, so god knows why I do it. I’m already feeling anxious because I’m wondering if he’s put photos of the kids at Easter on insta 🤷‍♀️

I know I feel better when I’ve gone cold turkey though!

Me too ninja. It's like rubbing salt into a wound though.

I also need to log off because there's someone I want to message me and the reminder that they're not makes me feel bad.

We can do this though ... only a week, then reassess. And who knows how it will go from there.

day one!

Do you ever get FOMO robin?

OMG never but to be fair I am older where as my adult children fb has always been around. So maybe they would.

Back in the day we didn't have fb.

I do like mn and I do have insta but only have 12 selected followers .

I left fb because it had changed so much since it's advent.

It had become a place of bullying, lies and flirting.

I'm not a fan of FB either. I'm in too many groups and when I have a bad day end up spending time grumpy with people I barely know when I ought to just be using my energy elsewhere

I deleted fb about 4 years ago don't miss it one bit deleted twitter too. I have snap chat and instagram I think I could delete snapchat but insta is my fave although I do spend far too much time on it!

Well done for recognising the impact on your mental health OP.

It's actually quite difficult to break because once the anxiety reduces, there seems to be a reason to go back on it, and then it creeps back in again.

I do recommend detox because you just feel much better for it, it's a total refresh, but its also good to periodically review too especially if you start to dip again.

I will join you, I need to reduce my mumsnet time which is wonderful but harming my real life productivity!