The world can be a strange and challenging place to navigate, especially when it comes to our relationship with technology. We all know how overwhelming and sometimes scary the internet can be, with its trolls, fake news, and bizarre memes that can make us question our own humanity. But sometimes, it's not the internet itself that's the problem. It's how much we let it consume us.
We've all been there, spending hours scrolling through our phones, searching for something interesting to read or someone to talk to, only to realize we've been wasting time scrolling aimlessly. This is commonly known as "doom scrolling," and it's not just a time waster. It can also lead to poor time management skills and more digital detoxes than we'd like.
I'm not immune to this either. In fact, it's what led me to take a hard look at my own lifestyle and habits. The idea of a digital detox became necessary for me after wasting a full day staring at my phone screen for approximately eight hours. I'd like to say this was a one-time occurrence, but to be honest, it happens more often than I'd like to admit. And I know I'm not alone. That's why I'm sharing my story and asking for your help and support.
Let's start at the beginning. I wake up and immediately check my phone, not because I have important emails to read or urgent messages to reply to, but because it's become a habit. It's what we do. We want to see what happened in the world overnight while we were sleeping. But the truth is, I don't think we really care. We're just addicted to the quick fix and the dopamine hit we get from social media likes or a trending video. It's a temporary comfort that distracts us from the general stress and discomfort of modern-day living.
As I've been reflecting on this, I've realized that seeking pleasure and comfort doesn't equate to true happiness. Drinking, eating junk food, binge-watching TV, or even a quick scroll through Instagram may provide temporary pleasure, but it's not the same as true happiness. We need to break free from these bad habits and find healthier ways to manage our time and relationships with technology.
my first week of digital detox.
Let me tell you, it was not easy. The constant fear of missing out (FOMO) was always in the back of my mind, especially during quiet moments at work or when I wanted to unwind in the evening. Even my plan to read more fell flat, as I found it difficult to focus on anything for more than a few minutes at a time.
What surprised me the most was how many excuses I created to engage in my phone. I found myself mindlessly browsing on YouTube, Amazon Prime, or playing games like Candy Crush and 8 Ball Pool. I realized that I was simply replacing one unproductive behavior with another.
To truly commit to my digital detox, I completely deleted Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and Twitter from my device. However, I soon realized that most of these social media accounts were impractical to manage or check from my laptop or an older phone. This led to more frustration and wasted time as I struggled to find ways to get the apps to function.
As I move forward into the week ahead, I want to explore the "digital wellbeing" app available on most modern phones to manage my access via one device instead of the maddening plate spinning I was attempting initially. However, my current thoughts and concerns are about the bigger picture.
Much like an extreme diet, my worry is that this approach is unsustainable, and it's only a matter of time before I'll be back to my old habits. It's clear that this issue is a little troubling, and I'm not the only person who feels this way. But what's the answer?
In a world surrounded by quick, simple pleasures and distractions, how do we navigate ourselves to not get so sucked in without losing out? The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, setting boundaries, taking breaks, and prioritizing real-life interactions and activities can help us maintain a healthy balance between our digital and non-digital lives.
At the end of the day, the goal should be to use technology as a tool, not as a crutch. By taking a step back and focusing on what truly matters, we can break free from the constant need for stimulation and live a more intentional and fulfilling life.
WEEK 2
week 2 has been a little bit more interesting for me in regards to media consumption. returning to my primary phone and using the digital wellbeing tracker i set a 30 minute timer that would block my social media apps after the time ran out. I felt this novel idea would be more useful and productive especially when it came to communicating with people.
Unfortunately it wasn't long before i was running out of time before lunch and having to find clever ways to get more out of my devices. hitting my laptop more often just to check messages once my fun had expired like a guy who orders a diet coke after ordering 3 big macs because he was watching his calories.
This got me thinking about the parallels i could draw between what we consume nutritionally and what we consume digitally. It became very clear that my want for technology wasnt to put "good" substance in my body but to gorge on empty junk in search of comfort and dopamine. As a trainer and nutrition coach ive seen these symptoms 100s of times before but in relation to diet. We all know a healthy salad is very affordable, filling, packed with nutrients and good for us....but donuts are comforting and convenient regardless of how empty the calories might be.
So maybe there needs to be a diet for digital usage that we haven't thought of? Am I embracing an extreme liver king style diet of over restriction leading to cravings and binges? If the similarities are as true as i believe can balance be struck or at least a methodology that doesn't leave me wanting and craving the bad stuff and left able to enjoy the benefits of my pocket genie?
A big giveaway for me this week was that i used my time (much like my calories) on treats and on the mindless scrolling i was annoyed at myself for doing in the first place. It comes as no surprise that the content creation side of my business has all but ground to a halt. posting is very limited as it takes time and effort and without seeking the applause and likes my serotonin deprived mind would rather not bother.
Im keen to see over the next 2 weeks if i can retrain my mindset much like an obese man who changes his life by embracing healthy eating and exercise. I know whats good for me....I just need to put it into practice. more next week....stay tuned
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