Last January I took a break from social media. I wasn't sure how hooked I was, but I could sense an unhealthy preoccupation. Once I deleted the apps, out of habit I still slid one screen and tapped the top right app every time I opened my phone. Muscle memory glitched for a couple days.
The noticeable hiccups were when I thought of something, or when my kids did something funny ... it was like a tree falling in a forest. If no one on social media saw it and laughed, was it really funny?
Without a daily alert of birthdays across the country, I was limited to sending well-wishes to friends and family whose birthday was already in my calendar or consciousness.
All our January birthdays and our anniversary were celebrated in the quiet, undocumented vibrance of real life.
I started texting photos and some of my musings to individual friends. I enjoyed the chatting that resulted from my need to be heard.
I started asking people how they were doing and checking in with a wider array of friends. I enjoyed the connection that resulted from my desire to hear from others.
I read books and wrote essays, and organized my closet. I took walks and worked puzzles and wondered what I was missing. And, I started watching TV, which I do not enjoy, but it was an easy filler for those mindless moments of vegetative lounging.
I read the Bible every day. I was present with my kids. I'd like to say I began to floss, but that would be a lie. There is so little hope for me in that area.
Eventually, several weeks later, I reloaded the apps and enjoyed freshly appointed boundaries like "only on Friday night and saturday" or "not while kids are awake".
One little taste of freedom helped me to reconsider the habits I had coasted into, and to recommit to better manage my media consumption. In May, several friends joined my friend, Erin, and me for five days of swapping our scrolls for the better. The connection and freedom and growth that soaked in and squeezed out of that week changed me for good!
This morning it feels as though it may be time for another reset, so we've decided to host another 5-Day Change-It-Up Challenge!
Who thinks a break sounds timely? It's five days. December 26-30. You can do anything for five days! Just a little rest time. It will be a challenge, but I promise it will be fun!
Everyone who agrees to the challenge will receive five daily emails filled with ideas and inspiration to help you along the way. 👋🏼
You can also opt in to receiving a text each morning and evening for an extra boost of encouragement. 😂
Each person who accepts the challenge is encouraged to gather a few friends who know about the challenge . . . so that whether or not they also join, they at least have fair warning that you may indeed blow up their inbox with silly photos of your pets for a couple days. 🙃
At the end of the five days, we CELEBRATE!!
If scrolling has you bogged, we hope you'll mark your calendar and consider joining us December 26-30, 2021 for five days of Refreshing RESeT. 💛
Sign up here: December 26-30, 2021: RESeT
