TAKING A BREAK: 6 things to do without social media

Most of the time, I get carried away with scrolling when I go on social media. There was a time when I planned to spend just 1 hour on social media, but it didn't work out. I found myself scrolling endlessly through the feed, and it wasn't like I didn't want to stop.

Trust me, I really wanted to stop, but then I couldn't because the videos were thrilling and exciting, and sometimes they made me cry. Even the comment section was extensive, so I didn't realise how far time had gone.

I kept repeating this action every day. Sometimes, I make up my mind to just check some messages, but then I find myself scrolling again. And each time I engage in this, I notice that I'm always mentally drained to do the initial things I planned out for the day.

The other day, I was talking to a friend, and during our conversation, I discovered that she doesn't know much about herself. She doesn't know what triggers her emotions, she doesn't know what makes her happiest, and she can't even remember when she last connected with herself. I was dumbstruck while she told me all these, and honestly, she looked like someone lively, but then it also made me wonder what goes on with her when she's in her inner chambers.

All these are what social media is capable of doing. If you're not careful and very intentional about your being, then you'll be swallowed up by social media.

This is why it's also necessary to take a break from this media. You might not know this, but there's a lot of liberty outside social media. Your life shouldn't be dependent on social media. There's a lot you can accomplish by getting in touch with yourself, and this can only be possible if you can give yourself a break from social media. It could be for 2 days, during the weekend, or just during the day, or even for a month.

Now you'll be asking,

What will I be doing during this period?

 What would it be like to be off social media?

Won't it be boring?

How will I survive?

Being off social media won't kill you. Of course, it'll be exciting, and you'll surely come back feeling confident about who you are in terms of personality. You can start by being off social media during the day if you've never attempted it before. But if you have, then you can move a step further to taking a 1-week break.

Now what will you be doing during this break?

6 Things to do when you take a social media break.

• Sit in silence and reflect. 

Taking a break from social media is an intentional act, and it doesn't make life suddenly boring. Instead, it gives you a refreshing feeling — a feeling of wholeness.

During this period, you can reflect on your past actions and the behaviours you've been exhibiting.

 Ask yourself questions like:

Who am I?

What kind of life do I want to lead?

Where do I see myself in the next 5 years?

What am I doing currently that can endanger my destiny?

What should I start doing to become a better person in life whom I'll be proud of?

These questions will make you decisive in becoming better.

• Sleep 

Most times, you stop yourself from sleeping because you're on social media, and this makes your sleep quality poor and irregular.

Even when you set an alarm to remind yourself for bed, you tend to turn it off, and all these also affect your mood. But then, since you're on a break, take your time to rest properly and sleep during the appropriate time. Experts recommend that adults sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night.

• Reconnect with your family, friends, and loved ones.

 Spending time with your family is very important during this break because most times, you tend to neglect the presence of the ones you love while being busy on social media. So during this break, share experiences together. Ask your friends about their life, both the challenging and happy moments. Genuinely spend time with them. Make them feel loved, seen, and heard.

• Engage in any hobby that you truly enjoy.

It could be reading, drawing, painting, biking, singing, dancing, cooking a new recipe, or even taking a walk and admiring nature.

You know, just do what you enjoy doing the most. You can find happiness in doing these little things that you think do not matter. One thing about engaging in hobbies is that it brings a sense of living and fulfillment.

• Prioritize self-care 

During this break, take proper care of yourself. This involves engaging in practices that improve your physical and mental well-being. Eat healthy meals and stay hydrated. Also, take your skin care very seriously. You can go for a spa treatment and relaxation.

Engage in practices like self-gratitude, journaling, exercises, and even yoga. At least 30 minutes of exercise every day. All these help to improve your mental well-being.

• Take yourself out

 This is also one fun part of taking a break. You get to feel your entire being and love yourself up. Go on solo trips; it could be to a beach, to a mountain top, or just anywhere you love. You can decide to go to the art gallery, to the museum, or even go trekking in places that intrigue you a lot. Just plan on treating yourself nicely.

You can also go shopping or go on a date. Get to know someone new and just live in genuineness and peace—away from the toxicity and hypocrisy of social media. 

Taking a break from social media isn't about escaping the world — it's about reconnecting with yourself and the world around you. It gives you clarity, rest, and a renewed sense of purpose. Whether it’s for a day, a week, or more, use that time to reflect, grow, and truly live. You’ll be surprised at how much beauty exists outside the screen and within you.