THE MINDFUL EDIT

Quote of the Day

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

-Albert Einstein

What I’ve Discovered During My Social Media Detox

Back in July, I saw a video of a guy talking about how his kids’ grades were slipping, they were getting in trouble, and their teachers even suggested they might have ADHD. This guy decided to take away all screens, and within two weeks, their grades improved, they were playing outside, and their imagination was back and flowing. It got me thinking—not just about kids, but about myself and my own life. What is my current relationship with social media and how might it be having a similar impact on me?

That’s when I decided to take a break from social media on August 1. What started as a simple two-week detox has now stretched into a full month—and is extending through September. I’m not sure when I’ll be back on, but I’m embracing this time away and wanted to share why.

Here have been the biggest things I have noticed:

I feel way more connected to myself, my thoughts, and my ideas. It’s like I’ve cleared out mental clutter I didn’t even know was there. Social media has a sneaky way of making us compare ourselves to others without even realizing it. Every story we watch, every post we see, subtly shapes what we think we should want or care about. I have noticed this effect was amplified while trying to start and grow a business. I found myself creating false and unnecessary pressure, comparing myself, losing my unique voice and creativity, and chasing things that don’t actually matter to me. In cutting social media, I am back to being a clear and open channel to allow new, fresh ideas to flow in.

Another huge shift is that I feel more present and less distracted. I’m no longer living through a lens, constantly thinking about taking photos to share, recording videos, or checking messages and likes. It’s incredibly freeing, and it’s allowed me to live more fully in the moment.

And perhaps the biggest change—I’ve discovered I have way more time in my day. I’m actually doing more of the things I love or even trying things I previously felt I didn’t have time for. It’s amazing how much space I’ve created by simply stepping back. Not only am I off social media more, but I’ve also been off my phone entirely. I find myself leaving it on DND and putting it in other rooms for hours throughout the day. It has been helping me retrain my brain to break the habit of seeking dopamine hits from mindlessly picking up my phone and clicking on apps.

Most importantly, I’ve realized I care less about what other people are doing and have started focusing more on myself. It’s forced me to reach out directly to connect with my people. It’s crazy to think we watch people’s lives online and feel like we know their every move, so we don’t need to check in anymore. I have found myself reaching out to friends more, texting, and calling them to make plans.

I’m sharing this not to say that social media is bad—it can be a great tool when used mindfully and has so many beautiful pros as well. Writing this book has really allowed me to step back and reassess my habits, and this time has been so important for doing this detox.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, constantly comparing yourself, lacking time, feeling uninspired, or disconnected, I encourage you to try taking a little break. You might be surprised by what you discover.

Before I started this break, I used an app on my phone called ONE SEC, which helps create blocks from opening certain apps. It was a great way to start gradually breaking the habit.

With love and gratitude,

Stephanie

Copyright (C) Want to change how you receive these emails?

You can update your preferences or unsubscribe