I Took A One Week Social Media Detox. What Happened Next Completely Shocked Me
Like most people these days, I was highly addicted to social media. I would mindlessly scroll through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter multiple times per day. I realized I was spending way too much time consuming content rather than creating it.
So I decided to challenge myself to a one week social media detox.
The first day was brutal.
I had a constant urge to check my phone and open my social media apps. My screen time was embarrassingly high each day — often over 4 hours spent just scrolling.
I knew I had a problem. But I didn’t realize just how addicted I was until I tried to stop completely.
By the second day, I could feel my anxiety creeping in.
What were my friends up to? What hilarious memes was I missing out on? The urge to tap those colorful icons was strong.
But I persisted. I went for a long walk instead. Read a book. Played guitar. Got ahead on work.
I started to feel…lighter. More focused. The mental clutter began to clear.
Day 3 brought the strongest cravings yet.
I could hardly focus on anything else except wanting to check my notifications. I even dreamed about scrolling Instagram!
But by pushing through the discomfort, I broke through to the other side.
Because on Day 4, something shifted.
I no longer felt the constant pull to check my device. I realized I had so much more free time — time I now chose to spend more meaningfully.
I started being more present with my kids. I picked up old hobbies I used to enjoy. I meditated and exercised. I got to bed earlier without staying up late doomscrolling.
By Day 7, I was shocked by how different I felt.
I was less anxious, less depressed. I had more energy. My concentration improved dramatically.
Most surprisingly, I didn’t even miss social media anymore. I felt free without its constant demands on my attention.
Now, over a month later, my lifestyle change has stuck.
I only allow myself 30 minutes of social media use per day. And I don’t feel compelled to use that time.
My mind feels calm and focused. I get so much more done each day. And my quality of life has massively improved.
My one week detox taught me just how addicted I was to social media — and just how toxic it was for my mental health.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by endless scrolling too, I encourage you to try a detox yourself. You might just be shocked by the results!
