Monday Musings: How I’m Dealing With My Social Media Addiction
Film photography by Kris Jou
I have a serious social media addiction. The most effective thing I’ve found against it is an app called OneSec. Basically, it forces me to do journaling, a breathing exercise, asks me to specify the reason I’m trying to access the social media app at the moment, suggests other activities I can do, and then finally asks how long I want to use the app so it can shut down after the allotted time - ALL of these steps happen before I get to open the app. So far it has prevented me from opening my apps almost 14,000 times and saved me about 30 solid days of my life this year. I know it can be more, except my work revolves around social media. Still. It’s an achievement I’m proud of.
The past couple of weeks, I’ve also come back to avoiding my phone until I’m ready to sit down and actually work. Before, I’d pick up my phone first thing after I wake up in the morning at 5:30 AM. To check the time, I tell myself, but before I know it I’ve spent 1.5 hours in the bed just looking at random crap! I literally feel ill and get a headache from this nasty habit. So now I’m simply choosing not to pick it up until I’m actually about to work on something.
Instead of using my phone, I’d sit down in my office and do something with my hands. I would write in my diary, update my art journal, paint, write a letter with my pretty stationery that I carefully curated from Tokyo, or maybe sew. Maybe I’d sit by the window with my dog and watch the sun rise. Maybe I’d read a book and have some tea. I decluttered and reorganized my office so that I can do all of these activities without being hassled by stuff all over the place.
By the time 9 AM rolls around, I feel rejuvenated and ready to face the digital world. My phone and apps, once a source of endless distraction, now become tools that I approach with a clear, focused mind, ready to earn my living.
Maintaining this habit has been a game-changer for me. It's astonishing how these small, deliberate acts have significantly reduced my anxiety and stress levels. They've reminded me that sometimes, in the hustle of life, taking a step back to indulge in simple pleasures can make all the difference.
