Lately, I have been limiting my time on social media a lot. Which has been hard and sad. I have a lot of wonderful friends I met through the internet, and that I can only talk to online. I still spend a decent bit of time on Discord in more controlled small groups, but I’m even limiting time there and trying to just find other ways to fill my time.
It’s made me realize just how much time I was spending on my phone or mindlessly scrolling the day away.
I’ve been reading more books; in fact, I’ve finished 7 books this year, so I’m on track to finish waaaaay more books than before.
But I also don’t want to abandon social media completely. I think it’s important to have that digital town square to share information and get stories out that media may not be covering.
It’s also a way to support creators out there, and people sharing wisdom, joy, and stories that bring hope. Now, I also get that from time spent with friends in person or in private chats. It’s hard to balance the need to keep up with what is happening with the constant onslaught of news and horror.
So, how am I doing it exactly?
1. On my phone: ScreenZen
This free app lets you block certain apps except for a few times a day for 5-15 minutes. Most of the time when I unblock an app, I realize I really just was bored or looking to post one specific thing. I don’t need to scroll. I’ve almost totally stopped using Instagram, which I may change, but just the pause before unlocking an app has made a huge difference with my phone usage.
2. On Chrome: Quick Focus
(Yes, yes, I know Chrome has issues and I’m in the process of switching over to Brave but it takes time and energy, and I am so very tired.) Quick Focus works very similarly to ScreenZen in that it lets you block sites and have to choose to unblock them for a few minutes. This has been huge in lowering the amount of time I spend mindlessly scrolling from horror to horror or even just getting caught up in talking too much on Discord when I really should be writing.
3. Books
Like I mentioned, I have been reading so much more this year. Most of them have been digital loans or audiobooks, but they’ve all been great. It’s been nice to catch up on some reading, and allowed me to just feel better as I fall into stories filled with romance, horror, and general chaos. I might start book reviews on the blog at some point, but for now, I’m enjoying having my reading just private for myself and close friends.
4. Exercise
This one is partially social media avoiding, and partially health-related. My annual bloodwork showed some concerning numbers this year, so changes need to happen. But truthfully, I love going on walks. And now, with the audiobooks I’m getting from the library, it’s a great excuse to walk and listen. When I don’t have an audiobook on a walk, I’ve enjoyed picking one color at the start of my walk and focusing on anything of that color I can find.
5. Creating!
I am playing more tabletop games than ever before, mostly online or solo, and am loving the freedom to play and just feel like a kid enjoying playing pretend! This has also gone into writing. I’ve hit 71000 words on my current work in progress! It’s been nice to get the chance to just get lost in the worlds of my own creation.
6. Volunteering
I’ve been helping write postcards about issues and mailing them out. I help with a group that teaches English as a second language, and a few other causes that I care about, like volunteering at events around my local library. Finding ways to help and feel like you are making a difference in a tangible way helps a lot. Find people and causes you care about and spend time with them; it will help.
7. Learning
It’s been a long time since I was in school, and I’d forgotten how much I like learning new things. So I’m trying to give myself new things to learn about: lock-picking, teaching, making cheese/yogurt, gardening, history. I just follow what interests me and read books, watch videos, and listen to podcasts from experts while taking notes by hand. It’s been fun learning in a more analog sense, which, speaking of...
8. Going Analog
Writing things by hand has been a great change. At first, it really hurt. My hands weren’t used to writing anymore, but now it’s been a really nice way to make creating more physical. I’ve been working on my novel revision right now and planning it out and noting things by hand has been really helpful; it sticks in my brain more for sure.
So those are the things that are helping me right now. What works for me might not work for you; it’s important to figure out what works for you and how it helps you handle the world.
I know it’s so tempting to hide away from the news and the things happening, but not knowing about anything is not the best option. Find what works for you to keep yourself sane. Some people may have higher or lower tolerances, so don’t feel like you have to do the same as everyone else.