Cut Back on Social Media...Here's How I Did It

Yes, I love scrolling on Instagram and Facebook as much as the next 25 year old but...

Social media has never really been a real friend. It's takes up a lot of my time, and honestly, it isn't awesome for the self-esteem. I think apart of the allure is seeing people living their best lives, even if it's just showing the highlights of theirs, you tend to compare it to the lowest moments of your life. 
So, hey. Just uninstall it from your phone. Stop looking at it. Yeah...right.

I've tried a few ways to cut back on my scroll time and with confidence (being tried and tested) I can suggest what I've listed below. 

1. Organize your home screen

I have an iphone, so I hope this is still helpful if you don't. But, being that it so convenient to click on Facebook or IG when it's right there, I did some housecleaning on what's important to see when I log in to my phone. 

I'm putting this tip first because it has been the most helpful.

Step one: Open your phone to a clean and clear home screen. I put my calendar app there, because you do need something there to keep the screen, but I chose it because it's something not distracting. Now, I open my phone and can continue with the intended reason I checked it. No social media detours. This mostly applies to work or when I'm doing a project. It's a way to keep yourself on track without having to tell yourself to. 

Here's what my screen looks like when I log in... 

Screen 1

Screen 2

Step Two: I moved my social media to the next page. So I swipe left and see my major apps. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and a few more that I use on a daily basis. I took all my other apps and organized them into folders to continue my 'clean and clear' screen streak. 

Screen 3

2. Notifications & Banners

This is a big one. This is one of the big ones, mostly because you look to check the time on your phone and BOOM! Johnny commented on a photo. Kara shared your post. You have 5 likes on your Instagram post. aaaaand into the black hole you go. 

So, again, this is about removing the temptation. You can do this on just about any smart phone. Go to 'Settings' then 'Notifications'... there you'll find all of your apps. You can choose to allow Notifications, Sounds, Badges (those things that appear at the top of your screen with likes, messages...ect) and even whether you want them to show up when your phone is locked. I removed most Facebook and IG notifications. Honestly, you're going to see them when you first click on the app anyway. And the number still appears on the app's icon, so if you really must know if it reaches an extreme amount of likes, shares, and comments, it'll be there. Here's an example of my Notification Settings screen for Facebook....

3. Track Your Phone Time

There's a lot of apps that are made to help you track your time spent scrolling. The one I found to be most helpful is Moment.

You can track your time on each Social Media app you use and how many times you picked up the phone. You also do a 'Phone Bootcamp' where you have goals to meet, like staying off your phone for a certain time. There's a really cool family option as well where you can monitor your entire family's screen time. 

Overall, this app tracks your time spent for the day and it shows progress made. 

4. Give your friends real attention

I think we've all experienced both sides of the phone. Your friend is scrolling through their cyber friend's stories on Snapchat and you're staring at the back of their phone. Spending quality time with your friends is the best gift you can give your friends at no cost. Short of taking pictures together, there's few good reasons to be looking at your phone rather than the valued person in front of you. I'm probably not telling you anything new that we haven't heard our parents and elders tell us before, but taking the initiative to put the phones down as a group can really be helpful. Parents are even going as far as buying timed lock boxes for phones for during dinner and other family time. I'm not saying go that far, but it does show how hard it can be to put the screen down. 

5. DO MORE! Live in the moment.

Science shows, and it's pretty common sense, that spending an excessive amount of time on social networks creates anxiety and FOMO... aka fear of missing out. You're watching people "live their best lives" and makes you feel like you're living your crappy one that you're just hoping for the best lighting to capture a sliver of what could be construed as a happy one. I can say that because I used to do that... all the time. 

Even the dingiest of towns have events, shows, and more importantly, people. Find new hobbies and new faces, that's where the action is. How are you going to live your best life by doing the same old things while watching people get out there and do what you wish you were doing. Instead of letting your phone distract you, let the world distract you from your phone. I'm putting this last because while it seems more like a lecture than a tip, I think this is the most inspiring. It's a reminder that while there are ways to help keep you on the track, ultimately, like most things in life, you have to want it.  

*If you've found ways that are helpful and you'd like to share, reach out via the contact tab. There's a part two coming soon and i'd love to incorporate my readers input!

Thank you!