one day without social media
I’ve now spent one day without Instagram, X, or YouTube on my mobile or desktop devices. Although I have Facebook on my desktop, it’s mainly for accessing the tutoring group and not for media consumption. Even then, I have a 25-minute limiter on Facebook in my browser.
I did switch to LinkedIn for a limited 30-minute period. Thankfully, there aren’t many videos on LinkedIn to suck my attention, but it has been useful. I’ve been able to respond to a recruiter and catch up with an old friend.
The cravings to browse the X feed, Instagram feed, or YouTube feed are constant, though. Instead of spending eight hours on social media apps, I compensated by playing 45 minutes of chess during those craving sensations. Chess is inherently tough, so it’s easy to put down after a game. It’s not that my game is improving or anything, but the intense urge to check social media persists.
I’ve had more human interactions today, mostly through texts or phone calls in various forms, but overall, my social interaction has already improved. Without social media, I’m able to browse the internet based on what I want to see rather than what it wants to show me—it feels empowering.
Lastly, I now have to convert that zeal into productive work. I’m not sure why I can’t dive into research work with the same enthusiasm I have for social media.