A few weeks ago I made the decision to take a month long break from social media.
I thought that taking the break would provide me with more time to learn prayers and practice rituals. I felt that I could build my spiritual strength, in hopes of being prepared for the one year life celebration for my father, and the seven year life celebration for my daughter.
At first, I struggled most with trying to program myself to be okay with my decision. I was trying to talk myself out of it most of the time. I would think, “I don’t have an issue with social media, is it really capable of distracting me from what I want to do?” Eventually those type of thoughts faded and I began to turn my attention towards spending more quality time with my little people and going for morning walks for alone time. When I thought of a loved one, rather than finding their profile on social media to “see” how they were, I started calling or texting them. In the quiet times between tasks, I started to listen to music rather than pick up my phone to “see” what was going on in the news, via social media. So here I am, about two and a half weeks into this temporary break. I have not learned any new prayers nor have I studied rituals. I have grown an appreciation for reading and listening to music. I have enjoyed long talks with my mother. I have laughed with my little people. I have reached out to loved ones that I have not spoken to in a while.
What I have noticed is how socially isolating this has been. I notice that many of my friends and relatives would probably not know if I were dead or alive because we just do not communicate outside of social media. We don’t pick up the phone to call or text. We do not eat meals together. We do not plan gatherings. We do not touch in on a personal level. Now I certainly understand that this is my experience, and I cannot possibly speak to someone else’s. The reality of this experience has left me to believe that I should rid my closest relationships from social media in an effort to build more personal connections with those I love dearest.
I wonder how it I will feel about it by the end of the break. Until then I plan to continue enjoying the gift of life.
Ifayinka 