I think July was the month of detox! You are the second person I’ve heard about taking a hiatus from social media. I also took a break from FB. 👍

I only use(d) two social Apps (if we don’t count Medium): FB and IG. I’m a professional photographer and use them mostly to “try” to grow my visibility. I get hundreds of likes on each photo/post and some nice pats-on-the-back, but honestly that’s it. My ego flutters for a bit and then I quickly wonder, what can I post next. I do tend to spend time scrolling through my feed, but it’s more habitual than intentional. I barely retain anything. Validation is what keeps me coming back. And for this and this reason alone, I decided to quit FB for the month of July. And after, for many of the same reasons mentioned in the article above, I deactivated my account.

I now get my news from other traditional sources, and spend more time time reading good literature, like The Sun magazine.

This article came to me at a perfect time, and has brought into light something very important to any activity, addictive in nature or not, and that’s moderation. It’s never good to let something overwhelm your life, to take full control. And the flip side of that, is complete removal the solution? (I don’t know.) But I do applaud the author for going back to social media with the intention and awareness that he must take precautions not to fall back into his previous habits. I know I do not have the same will power. I say it again, moderation is key.

I still have IG, and I’m probably spending more time on it to compensate for my loss of FB, but it’s a simpler app with less going on. And it’s much easier to manage. I miss the ease of connectivity that FB brings, especially for family and distant friends, but being in the moment and finding affirmation from within is much more fulfilling to me and my well being.

Thank you for the article Steve!

P.S. I can’t help but think of the book, “The Circle,” while discussing this. Scary how close we really are to a fully socialized world with all the peer reviews, thumbs up and positive comments. Is it utopia or bran washing? (What’s the difference?)