A few weeks ago, I decided to have my personal digital detox. It’s ironic that social media is part of my work, but I managed to find a way on how to handle business pages and accounts. My goal was to get rid of the “crap” that I consume and focus more on my projects.
I deactivated my personal Facebook and Instagram accounts. I just logged in for business accounts or marketing activities for my clients. I’m glad I did. Such a decision also helped me with the following:
#1 I dealt with FOMO
I knew I had this FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) when I found myself scrolling and scrolling feeds for hours during weekends. I realized I was wasting most of my time snooping other peoples’ lives. Too much time on Facebook led me to feel I’m not keeping up with everyone. I don’t want to miss what’s interesting, what’s hot, what’s happening to whom, to where, and when.
Finally, when I deactivated and enjoyed just living my life offline, I don’t care anymore if I miss anything. Life has so much to offer when I’m focusing on what I have right now rather than wishing for the “if onlys.”
#2 More time on my online courses and learning other stuff
I still have a lot of courses to finish on HubSpot, Udemy, and the 5 Days To Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt. Throughout the day, I have 1 or 2 hours break time or slack time. These are the times where my laptop is already running low. So, I make the most out of the 1 or 2 finishing courses using my mobile devices or writing in my journal.
I also discovered and internalized my limiting beliefs from Michael’s course, which stop me from achieving something. Or accomplish that specific goal. Well. I wrote there that I don’t have time to do this and that. Little did I know I have a lot of spare time to do that, thanks to this digital detox.
#3 Controlled communications
I still use my Messenger, though. And that’s the only app I can’t let go for now as most of my communications with friends and clients are there. Facebook allows account deactivation, but users can still use the Messenger. But one thing that I like about this season was I had full control of the communications. I only communicated with people who are within my closest social circle.
Less noise, fewer notifications, and more time to listen to their needs or whatever they wish to talk about. I realized how important it is to set boundaries in communication these days. It’s not that I’m selfish or what. But we also have to weigh in how we spend our time and with whom.
I like what Annie Dillard said, and leaving you this quote from her book “The Writing Life.”
How about you? How do you spend your time lately?
