Dipping Into Digital Detoxing by Coach Anjalon Wimbush
Yes, we are talking about detoxing from the digital world. No, we do not believe that you have to completely "sign off" of all digital content. Smile. But the social media side of our technology is our target. We often get into a cycle of what's called "doom scrolling". It is a senseless habit to just flick our screen, pause for a second or two, then keep going until we literally get fatigued. I, for one, have been guilty of this and I decided at the later part of this year to change that. Honestly, it begins with an uninterrupted conversation with yourself- cultivating your self-awareness. Ask yourself a few questions to determine why this is even a "thing" for you right now. For myself, in all transparency, it developed as an anxious habit. Anxiety about all of the things I should be doing but I haven't even started or completed yet so why not jump on my phone and scroll...
But when I realized how much time I spent doing this... (thank you to my cell phone's digital well-being reminder), I was shocked and embarrassed! I told myself, "Anjalon, what are you going to do to change this?" So I started asking myself some questions:
Why are you using social media to procrastinate? What is it that you want? What would you rather do instead? What could you be doing? What amount of time would be reasonable to spend on social media? Can I do what I want to do on there without wasting so much time? etc.
I am going to share with you some tips on digital detoxing that I have seen around the web.
PREPARE yourself for what you plan to do.
Set Clear Goals: Decide why you’re doing the detox (e.g., reduce stress, improve focus, reconnect with loved ones). Clarity will keep you motivated.
Choose a Timeframe: Start small, such as a few hours or a day, and gradually extend the duration if needed.
Notify Others: Inform friends, family, and coworkers about your detox so they know how to reach you in case of emergencies.
Plan Alternative Activities: Replace digital time with hobbies, exercise, nature walks, journaling, or quality time with loved ones.
Create a Supportive Environment: Remove distractions by putting devices in a different room or enabling settings like "Do Not Disturb."
ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY/FOCUS to do in place of scrolling.
Turn Off Notifications: This reduces the temptation to check your phone for updates.
Set Physical Boundaries: Designate tech-free zones, such as the bedroom or dining area.
Go Old-School: Use analog tools like a notebook, paper calendar, or physical books.
Engage Fully in the Moment: Practice mindfulness by savoring your meals, noticing your surroundings, or focusing on conversations.
Stay Accountable: Share your progress with a friend or journal your experience to reflect on your growth.
WHAT'S NEXT? You did the digital detox, now what's next. Re-entry into the social media world.
Assess Benefits: Note how you felt without technology. Did you feel calmer, more present, or more productive?
Set New Habits: Establish ongoing boundaries, such as no screens before bed or limiting social media to specific times.
Gradual Re-introduction: Ease back into technology use by prioritizing what truly adds value to your life.
KEEP GOING this is not as easy as you think, just keep going.
Be Kind to Yourself: If you slip up, don’t be discouraged. Acknowledge it and refocus on your goal.
Involve Others: Doing a detox with a partner or group can be more fun and motivating.
Track Progress: Notice and celebrate positive changes in your mood, focus, or relationships.
My hopes is that this information is helpful to you as you begin something new. Get back to enjoying your life in the flesh. Be present (Mindful) in the Now of your own life and designate time for your social media instead of the other way around.
We know how difficult it can be to break old habits, especially on your own. Sometimes having will power, alone, is not enough. If you would like help with developing fresh and new attainable goals as well as accountability of a life coach to do so, I invite you to reach out to me. Let's chat how I can support you reach your goals and facilitate your development of a realistic and nurturing self-care routine through self-awareness skills. I use 1:1 coaching, videos, worksheets, and a self-paced course to support your self-care journey.
Coach Anjalon Wimbush is a social worker by trade and has over 23 years of experience with helping others achieve their personal goals. "Be Resilient Like The Lotus"
Comentários