My 30-Day Social Media Detox Showed Me More Than I Expected

The modern world is characterized by people who scroll, like and share every moment, and so the notion of giving up social media and spending a day without it seemed to be “mission impossible.” Yet, after being constantly disgusted, unfocused, and psychologically exhausted for months, I wanted to check if a 30-day social media detox would work. I cannot believe a simple decision to take a break made me the person who I am now, more than I could have ever expected.

It would be an undeniable fact that the beginning of the detox was the most difficult part. I routinely reached my phone out of habit, only to realize that I had removed the social media apps. I felt FOMO and was anxious about missing out on the trending topics, and my friends' new developments. I was even afraid that no one would realize my disappearance. But, as days went by, the uneasiness started to disappear gradually.

One of the immediate benefits that I saw was the amount of time that I saved. I no longer had to spend countless hours scrolling, suddenly, I was able to read, walk, cook, or even go back to the hobbies I used to have. I restarted journaling which helped me to think and sort my thoughts. It was good to be able to do meaningful things that are worth my time.

My clear brain was the second change that I had not anticipated. I was not bombarded with the non-stop flow of the news, people's opinions, and cherry-picked lives of my own and others' anymore, and therefore, my mind turned lighter. I was not constantly making comparisons with influencers, nor was I bothered about the online impression of my life. I found out that I was not just with myself but with the people around me.

Completing an online inventory of inspirations was how I also made healthy changes in my social environment. I have become more deliberate in my communication without the digital noise. I not only made phone calls, but I have also written more thoughtful messages and had deeper conversations. These interactions were not only better but also more meaningful than those obtained through social media.

The change in the perception of oneself may have been the biggest change. The impact of social media on the psyche was not clear, but the way it affected me and changed my perception, and maybe those of others, was quite evident. The detox process was a time I discovered my true self from the digital world, which is not based on likes, comments, or followers. I can say that I had not noticed until then how much I had been longing for the validation, and I was so relieved to find out that it was not necessary for me to live that way anymore.

Social media, no doubt, is not inherently bad. It is a powerful medium for communication and imagination while used consciously. Still, taking a break from it allowed me the time to clean my slate and restart my relationship with it. So, when I came back, I did it with clear boundaries that included the reduction of the frequency of my being on social media, unfollowing accounts that did not uplift me, and being more selective in my actions and sharing.

In a matter of 30 days, I realized that the life without gadgets is actually fuller than the life with. My detox was not just a matter of reducing screen time but regaining control, clarity, and connection. If you feel stressed out or exhausted, I definitely suggest giving it a try. You may well find out more than you anticipated — about the world and about yourself.