7 Things That Happened When I Stopped Checking Social Media For 100 Days

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A lot of us do it: we roll over first thing in the morning, pick up our phone, and check the latest post on our favorite social media app. I was one of the worst offenders. Even before my feet hit the floor in the morning and before my first cup of coffee, I’d check Twitter to see what I missed overnight. What I was really checking was a daily dose of negativity and gossip, which was a terrible way to start my day. I was addicted, no doubt about it.

Recently, I ended a 100-day challenge of not checking social media. Let me be clear – no Facebook, no Twitter, no Instagram, no Snapchat, and not even LinkedIn. To my surprise, it had a major impact on my life. I’ve read that checking social media first thing in the morning wasn’t the best way to start my day. As most, I needed to learn this lesson myself. How could I possibly function throughout the day and have real conversations with people if I didn’t know what celebrities thought and what my friend’s political opinions were? Instead, I’d be forced actually interact with real people and the world!

I put my fears aside and decided to put this practice into action – no more social media for 100 days. This meant I was going to have to change my morning routine and fill it up with something else. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I just knew Snapchat wasn’t going to be a part of my routine. At first, I had to force myself not to grab my phone first thing in the morning, then after some time I got used to it. Eventually, I wasn’t even thinking of checking social media at all. Here’s what happened after 100 days:

SEE ALSO: You Are Only As Happy As You Want To Be

I Became Happier

Or to put it another way, I became a better version of myself. Instead of waking up to what other people thought, I was able to wake up to my own thoughts which could be whatever I choose. I was surprised how much of my day was wasted reading nonsense. Almost any social media outlet provided news that did not benefit my life in any way.

There wasn’t any FOMO

I used to think I wouldn’t have anything to talk to people about. The weird thing is – nobody even noticed I wasn’t up to date on social media and current events. It just didn’t come up. If someone wanted to discuss the latest scandal they read about on social media with me the conversation would be pretty short because I wouldn’t have anything to share.

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I Read a Lot More

With all the time I saved by not checking social media, I was able to spend time reading things that made me happy and made me a better person. Positive books and websites filled up part of my mornings.

I Focused on Me Instead of Outside Factors

Not reading about others people’s problems helped me focus on myself and how I could become better, make the world a better place, and how I can be of service to others. I was able to spend time on things I loved. My morning routine changed to meditation, journaling, and reading something positive.

I Started Worrying Less

My mind wasn’t filled with the worries or the plight of the world. Instead of thinking about the terrible direction the world was going in, (according to social media) I thought about how amazing the world is and what it has to offer. There weren’t any outside forces telling me otherwise.

My Connection with Others was so Much Greater

Without my head being filled with chatter from Facebook, I started to get curious about other people’s lives and wanting to connect with them in a real way and have real, substantive, conversations. I became a better listener because I really cared what others had to say.

My Life is More Fulfilled

I have met more people and enjoyed so many new things I wouldn’t have done if I was spending time reading social media. I go out into the world thankful for all it has to offer and grateful there is more to life and people than our online personas. I do want to stay connected with my friends and the world. I just don’t need to it first thing in the morning or spend so much time doing it. Try 100 days of no social media and see how it transforms your life.

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