Social Media Fast Journal: Thoughts and Feelings about Unplugging

This past week I took President Russel M. Nelson's challenge to do a social media fast for 7 days. He gave this challenge a few weeks ago and for some reason I just kind of avoided thinking about it because I knew I would hate it and that maybe just maybe...I wouldn't be able to handle it. How sad is that right? I didn't realize how much time I spent doing absolutely nothing on my phone for so much of the day until I took this challenge! (I also did this for my business--which is one of the reasons I was hesitant to do this--I didn't want to lose followers or potential orders)

For the first few days I took some notes about my thoughts and feelings but by the middle of the week I was getting used to the fast and didn't feel it was necessary for me to keep taking notes. So here is what I journaled: 
   
DAY 1:

• Today I was grumpy doing this social media fast because we did something cool! We went to Bear lake just the hubby and I. As much as I enjoyed the trip there was a weird part of me that was actually annoyed to do anything fun because I wasn't able to post about it! (How embarrassing and shallow is that!?) 
• BLESSING: I already feel like I have more quality "me" time, more quality time with Drew, and with my Hyrum. 

DAY 2:

• BLESSING: I made some really great connections for my business and was able to get started on plans for a city art project. I also got a lead on an order from someone in Tooele.   
• Today I found myself mindlessly opening up the Facebook and Instagram apps and then closing them immediately upon remembering my fast.
• I decided to participate in the Provo Farmers Market and was able to use a ton of the time I would have been on social media mindlessly to prepare for the event. 

General thoughts and feelings:

I do not think that social media is bad. I want to make that clear. I am not going to give up social media forever. I am glad I took this challenge because I personally needed this break, this realization of my "scrolling addiction" and the mindset that if you don't post it, it didn't happen. (I'm so glad I cleansed myself of this thought!) By disconnecting, I was able to reconnect with myself and my goals/plans/dreams, I was able to reconnect with my family/husband/children/ and extendeds, and I was able to reconnect with God by taking time to ponder, study the scriptures and general conference talks deeper, and become more spiritually minded.

Moving forward:

What am I going to do now because of what I have learned?

• Be where I am. Put the phone away when with people--especially when one on one with someone. 
• When scrolling, think: Could I be doing something more useful right now? or am I really okay to do this right now? 
• No social media scrolling on Sundays.

If you haven't done this social media fast challenge yet, I strongly encourage you to do it! You will learn so much about yourself and your habits!