I was talking with a friend today. She informed me that she had pulled out her crocheting yesterday. She hadn't touched it in years. She felt that she was spending too much time on her phone, especially on social media. She feels it is affecting her mindset. She also commented on the fact that both her son's therapist and doctor encouraged him to limit his time on social media.
A young lady I know decided to get off facebook for awhile because she felt it was affecting her mental health. She posted a "so long for now" picture of her with a pair of Clydesdales, because who doesn't like Clydesdales.
A podcaster that I listen too mentioned that she hadn't been on Instagram because of a big project that she was working on. Her podcast partner then stated that an instagram fast is not a bad idea now and then.
I read an article somewhere about therapists encouraging clients to limit their screen time to help improve their outlook. As a society, we encourage parents to limit their kids screen time so their brains develop more fully. I wonder why it's taken so long for us to recognize that as adults we need to limit our screen time as well.
I know I spend way too much time playing stupid games on my phone. And don't get me started on the facebook rabbit hole of mindless revenge stories, Karen encounters, and HOA nightmares. I am trying very hard to stay away from the rabbit holes. I am trying to limit my social media time to advancing my blog, my crafting and keeping in touch with my family. But it is so easy to get sucked in.
I think the issue is 2 part for me. One is that I am wasting time that I could be putting toward more productive endeavors, like decluttering my home, crafting, or finishing quilts. (All of which put me in a positive frame of mind) The other is the negativity that is so often prevalent on social media. Some memes are just mean. Political satire turns ugly very quickly. Social commentaries are often just attacks that are meant to be divisive. It all leads to a very negative outlook and a depressed mindset.
I know a retired couple who don't watch the news. They get a newspaper to keep track of current events. It is easier to just turn the page when something turns nasty. Neither of them do facebook even though their children and grandchildren live a quite aways away. I think they are wise and probably ahead of their time.
Since I am trying very hard to be more Christ like, many of the things on social media are not in keeping with the frame of mind I want to have. It is past time for me to set a screen limit on myself. And not just limiting social media but the games I play on my phone as well. I just haven't figured out how long, how often and/or when I will do it yet. I may start by uninstalling the games on my phone.
Do you spend too much time on social media? What about games on your phone?
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