Learnings from the 30-Day Social Media Detox
This article is the written version of all the things I took away from completing
30 Day Social Media Detox Challenge.Why Did I Want to Take This Challenge?
I know that I spend way too much time on my phone. I didn't like the fact that I spent so many hours staring at one type of screen or another. Whether it's my phone, my personal laptop, work laptop—you name it. If I combined all the screen time that I spend on these devices, it would probably blow my mind as well as other people's.
When Marie posted her challenge, it was clear what I had to do. You know, when you're stuck in the middle of something like a bad habit? You're in the mix, you're in the middle of it, and you don't have a way to break out from it. It becomes routine. And there's a part of your mind that realises what's happening, but for whatever reason, it's not possible to easily escape. One of the first things I thought of when the challenge was posted was the accountability aspect. The feeling that you have to report made a big difference. Sometimes when I'm working alone at home, I feel like I'm a lot less productive than, say, if I go into work and there are other people working around me as well. So my productivity goes up in some ways.
Key Takeaways from the Challenge
I'm more engaged in the real world. I'm more engaged with real people. I'm more present, not as anxious, more conscientious, less frustrated, clearer mind, better thinking. I learned some new skills, like I picked up the piano and started playing that. I also started carrying a physical notebook.
Evolution of Information Management
Let me just explain. I've made a couple of different evolutions on my own in terms of information management. It's quite normal to iterate through different workflows and how you do certain things. It's not like you just find one thing and then stick to that one thing forever because it doesn't always work in the way that you think it will. Many times you'll think about a system that you want to implement in your mind and have this romanticised view of a particular system. But the problem with that thinking is that it doesn't take into account many other aspects and different variables and things that can come up unexpectedly. I find it's necessary to iterate through different systems, different procedures, and find what works best for you.
Long before I started this challenge, I had purchased a second-hand e-ink tablet. I've struggled a lot with exactly how I should incorporate this into my daily workflows. Originally, it was a complete mess. I was writing random notes all over the place. I didn't have much of a naming structure. I had so many different folders. It was just a mess. Then on the next iteration, I tried to put in place a better naming scheme for my files and folders. It was still a bit chaotic, but it was an improvement over the first iteration. Sometimes it's two steps forward, one step back. On my next iteration, I purposely created certain folders, but right now I'm only using a select few of them. One reason for that is that previously I was taking on way too many different projects, hobbies, interests, and many things like that. Every time I saw a new tool, a new piece of software, I just had to try it. I would either compile it or install it, just play around with it to see how it works. That's not a good way to go because you're forever chasing that feeling of excitement when discovering something new. As many people with ADHD tend to do, you get a dopamine hit from something, then you want to do that thing again to get the same dopamine hit.
It's not just limited to people with ADHD, but we have a very tenuous relationship with dopamine. The problem is that this doesn't work in the long run because there are diminishing returns. Each time you get that feeling, you do the same sort of thing to get the dopamine, it gives you a little bit less each time. I was finding that I wasn't progressing with the things that I truly wanted to progress with and I was very scattered.
In order to rectify this, I cut out all of my other interests and hobbies and just started focusing on writing. Which I have done before, but previously it was all over the place. It was scattered. Maybe I'll do a little bit of writing on something here or I'd end up writing comments on forums and random things like that. Then I just started writing on Substack and I cut out everything else. I work full-time, I have other responsibilities, commitments, normal life stuff, and outside of those things, I wanted to be able to do something that gave me a further sense of fulfillment. I knew that I loved researching many different topics, many different things. I like finding things out. I like knowing things. Sometimes it feels like I like knowing things just for the sake of knowing them. I like teaching those things. I get a lot of enjoyment out of being able to show these things to my kids and teach them things, help understand them, tailor things for them. When I started writing on Substack, I incorporated that type of thinking where I would just research a topic, find out about it, and then write about it. My writing is definitely not Hemingway level or anything like that, but I still get a lot of enjoyment out of it. I think that if other people managed to get a chuckle out of it or find whatever I write useful, then that's definitely a bonus. Sometimes my humor can be a bit obscure, though I don't have that much feedback on my writing as of now, so I can't really give a definitive answer on that.
Increased Focus and Streamlined Projects
Reducing the number of projects and activities and all other random things I was doing helped increase my focus. I cut out all of that and focused solely on writing. I still branched out a little bit. I'd try and create silly videos and things like that to flex my creative muscles. It was basically a self-exploration activity. My e-ink tablet helped a lot with this. As I mentioned before, I was very scattered. I also use a program called Logseq. It's an information management tool; it's really good at what it does. But it's only as effective as how you use it.
Practical Example: Digital vs. Physical Notepads
Why do I feel like using a physical notepad is better than my e-ink tablet? Let's go through a practical example of how it works in reality. Say you're out somewhere and you want to quickly write down an idea. On my tablet, if it's turned on, you start on the standby page, unlock it with a pin or your fingerprint, then open up the notes app. The notes app will be on the recents, and you can't create new notebooks from the recent tab. So then you have to click on the next tab along, then you can create one. Then what am I going to call this notepad? Because it should be something meaningful. If you're going to write down an idea, you don't want it to get lost. You want to have some place to store it and be able to find it again.
For example, "notepad 10" is not a very useful name. It's a placeholder name. So then you have to think about what you want to name it. When you figure that out, then you have to choose a template that you want. Do you want the horizontal 30 space line template? Do you want the blank template? Do you want the English calligraphy one? After all that, you can hit create, and then you finally start writing. Or not so fast because last time you used the notepad, it was on the highlighter, so now you have to change it from the highlighter to the pen. All of this is taking up time.
When you have an idea, time matters and milliseconds count. You could technically reduce this time a little bit. Say if part of your daily routine is to create a new notepad with today's date or something a bit more meaningful, then it reduces the time to writing a little bit, but it's still a bit clunky. I use a 10-inch tablet. That can be quite cumbersome. But if you have a smaller physical notepad, it can make quite a difference because for one, it's easier to carry. You can just keep the pen in the spine, whip the pen out, open to the page you want, and start writing. It's so much faster.
When I started the challenge, when I first started using the notepad, in the space of maybe 30 minutes, I came up with three different ideas for articles, and I was able to expand on them and write quite a bit. There are some cons to it. What you write in the notepad is open to everybody. If you leave the notepad on a bus or in a coffee shop, it's basically up for grabs. Anybody can read what's in there. Whereas, if you use an e-ink tablet, it'll be locked behind a pin or a fingerprint. There are a number of benefits for note-taking that go beyond just getting the ideas out of your head.
Benefits of Physical Note-Taking
Dr. Kenneth Kiewra, an educational psychology professor, says that writing notes by hand can boost memory and learning because doing it in this particular way engages different parts of your brain compared to typing. This makes sense because typing is quite static compared to handwriting. You can see how it would engage different parts of your brain. Mueller and Oppenheimer's 2014 study found that students who took notes by hand performed better on conceptual questions than those who typed their notes. Handwriting allows for better processing and understanding of the material.
Productivity expert David Allen suggests that the physical act of writing engages your brain in a more active way than typing, helping maintain focus and engagement with the material. Handwritten notes help create cognitive maps in the brain,
making it easier to recall and connect information later. Cal Newport, the author of "Deep Work," advocates for physical note-taking because it minimises digital distractions. I found that as well during this challenge. It significantly reduced my distractions. When you're taking physical notes, you don't have to worry about notifications or other apps trying to grab your attention. You can just concentrate solely on the task at hand.
Writing by hand can also stimulate creativity and idea generation. The key is that it's slower. The slower process of handwriting allows for more time to think and develop ideas.
Reflecting on Content Creation vs. Consumption
Not being on social media and not consuming so much content gave me time to reflect on the topic of content creation versus content consumption. Balancing content consumption and creation is crucial for maintaining mental well-being, productivity, and creativity. Here are some strategies to achieve a healthy balance:
Awareness: Assess how much time you spend consuming content. Use screen time trackers to get a clear picture.
Mindful Consumption: Be mindful of the content you consume. Focus on quality over quantity.
Purposeful Creation: Set clear goals for your content creation. Dedicate specific times for creating content.
Create Before You Consume: Start your day with creation before diving into consumption.
Curate Your Consumption: Subscribe only to channels, blogs, or podcasts that provide value. Regularly review and prune your subscriptions.
Combine Creation with Consumption: Use the content you consume as inspiration for your creation. Engage actively with the content by taking notes and reflecting on it.
Engaging More with the Real World
Here are some activities and habits to help you disconnect from digital distractions and connect with the physical world:
Mindful Walking: Take daily walks without your phone. Focus on your surroundings and sensations.
Physical Exercise: Join group fitness classes or engage in sports like tennis, basketball, or swimming.
Reading Physical Books: Join a local book club or spend time at your local library.
Creative Hobbies: Take up drawing, painting, knitting, or woodworking. Learn to play a musical instrument.
Social Activities: Volunteer at local charities or community events. Host or join regular game nights.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness meditation and mindful breathing exercises.
Cooking and Baking: Cook meals from scratch or join cooking classes.
Gardening: Start a small garden at home or get involved in community gardening projects.
Travel and Exploration: Explore your local area, visit museums, or plan short trips to nearby towns or natural attractions.
Technology-Free Time: Create device-free zones or times in your day, such as during meals or before bed.
Conclusion
Setting boundaries with technology and incorporating more real-world activities can lead to increased mindfulness, deeper relationships, and improved mental well-being. By being intentional with your time and efforts, you can achieve a healthier balance between digital and physical life. Track your progress, remain flexible, and don't be afraid to adjust your approach as needed.
With these strategies and activities, you can enhance your connection to the real world, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life.
That's it for now. As always, good luck, stay safe, and be well. If you enjoyed this or think somebody else might, share it with them. See ya!
Share this post