This is the most interesting and relatable post ever. I am also a social media manager and have been chronically online as a teen. Social media feels like space, my home, or safe space but over the years it's become so toxic and draining. I've been in desperate need of a detox and to decrease my screen time. I've never heard of these tips so thank you for sharing reasonable pointers and the app! Because pressing 15 more minutes on the timer on the phone just aint cutting it anymore lol
Such an interesting read! I am also a social manager so I feel you. I actually deleted all the apps very recently. And it’s a wild experience. The first day, there were so many times where I subconsciously picked up my phone to click on Instagram even though I knew it wasn’t there. And now, I leave my phone in the other room for hours without even noticing that I’ve left it there.
That’s something I am still trying to figure out actually. Luckily I work in strategy so I don’t have to schedule posts or the like but I will probably run into some issues down the line too with not having it on my phone. But honestly, if I need it in a specific moment, then I’ll just download Instagram and delete it again right after.
I do something similar! I've had my notifications off for ages, and a few months ago I put a timer on my phone where most of my apps turn off from 6:30 pm to 9 am. I've been thinking of expanding it, especially for TikTok because I've been bad about ignoring the timer when it goes off.
Notifications off is another game changer! And don't be afraid to expand it; I thought I was being too extreme with my hours, and then was like "oh! this is easy" 😂
This relates to me in so many ways!! I use Opal to block apps (I paid for a year subscription) for 22 hours a day-- I have between 12pm and 2pm to use them and I've been doing this since March or so. In that timeframe, I've pretty much forgotten about social media. I can access it on my iPad and computer so I do pop in from time to time to get recipes etc but on those devices, it feels like much more of an intentional act versus mindlessly on my phone.
Also so glad I found you on Substack, I loved your IG memes!!
Hii Brittany!! ☺️ The same thing happens to me; I can access instagram on my laptop, but I never stay for longer than 5 minutes because they make it nearly impossible to mindlessly scroll (which is a great thing, in this case). It's almost as if they want you to stay on your phone 😜
Absolutely love the idea of this intermittent social media fasting! A 4-hour window of doomscrolling apps being available. Genius.
A couple months ago I started being more intentional with my social media use (I'm off Facebook and TikTok, my Instagram shortcut was replaced with Substack, and most of my notifications are turned off) but I still (or again?) find myself going into Instagram when I'm bored and doomscrolling.
Your last point - of just *being bored* - is so important, and something I should honour more often. It's okay to not have something to do. You're allowed to passively exist for 5 minutes.
Absolutely! Thank you for reading and sharing your experience. I too go through phases where I'm more or less likely to feel that need to doomscroll, I think it's inevitable. As long as we know how to manage it in a way that works for us ☺️
This was a great piece! One trick I use with my app blocker is to (in addition to my regular blocks) schedule in random times when a particular app will be blocked for an hour (every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10:37am for example). I schedule in enough of these so that when I do reach for an app, at the back of my mind I wonder 'will I even be able to open it right now'? It gets rid of that sense of entitlement (for lack of a better phrase) -- that a particular app will always be available whenever I feel the need for a distraction.
I have to admit ... I do get annoyed when I really *want* to look something up and the app is blocked ... feels like a real emergency 😂 Though I have not once remembered what I needed to look up and gone back to do it later ...
Adore this post so much, it's hard to strike a fine balance but I've also opted out of checking my socials constantly and it's a relief more than a self-imposed ban
Marta, you’re so good! Thank you for such a thorough analysis. You really got the gears turning for me. I’m setting up blocks now. Good for you! P.S. The chronically online definition = hilarious perfection.
Love this! I deactivated all my social media accounts except Substack three weeks ago and, wow, I didn't know my mind could be this clutter-free.
This is the most interesting and relatable post ever. I am also a social media manager and have been chronically online as a teen. Social media feels like space, my home, or safe space but over the years it's become so toxic and draining. I've been in desperate need of a detox and to decrease my screen time. I've never heard of these tips so thank you for sharing reasonable pointers and the app! Because pressing 15 more minutes on the timer on the phone just aint cutting it anymore lol
No, we social media people need something a little more strict than a timer 😂 give it a try, you won't regret it!
Such an interesting read! I am also a social manager so I feel you. I actually deleted all the apps very recently. And it’s a wild experience. The first day, there were so many times where I subconsciously picked up my phone to click on Instagram even though I knew it wasn’t there. And now, I leave my phone in the other room for hours without even noticing that I’ve left it there.
That’s something I am still trying to figure out actually. Luckily I work in strategy so I don’t have to schedule posts or the like but I will probably run into some issues down the line too with not having it on my phone. But honestly, if I need it in a specific moment, then I’ll just download Instagram and delete it again right after.
That's amazing! How do you keep that balance as a SMM? Are you able to do everything on desktop?
Needed this. Thank you!!
Me too, sister!
I failed. Today is a new day! 🥴
You got this ;-)
Thank you, you too!!
I do something similar! I've had my notifications off for ages, and a few months ago I put a timer on my phone where most of my apps turn off from 6:30 pm to 9 am. I've been thinking of expanding it, especially for TikTok because I've been bad about ignoring the timer when it goes off.
Notifications off is another game changer! And don't be afraid to expand it; I thought I was being too extreme with my hours, and then was like "oh! this is easy" 😂
hii. i loved this, thank you for the app recommendation, been looking for something like this.
My pleasure! Thank you for reading.
This relates to me in so many ways!! I use Opal to block apps (I paid for a year subscription) for 22 hours a day-- I have between 12pm and 2pm to use them and I've been doing this since March or so. In that timeframe, I've pretty much forgotten about social media. I can access it on my iPad and computer so I do pop in from time to time to get recipes etc but on those devices, it feels like much more of an intentional act versus mindlessly on my phone.
Also so glad I found you on Substack, I loved your IG memes!!
Hii Brittany!! ☺️ The same thing happens to me; I can access instagram on my laptop, but I never stay for longer than 5 minutes because they make it nearly impossible to mindlessly scroll (which is a great thing, in this case). It's almost as if they want you to stay on your phone 😜
One more thing: my brother has this saying “only boring people get bored” 🫢
wise words!
Thank you for the public service. 🤩🙌🏻 Over and out. I will see you on the book club meeting. 👋🏻
Absolutely love the idea of this intermittent social media fasting! A 4-hour window of doomscrolling apps being available. Genius.
A couple months ago I started being more intentional with my social media use (I'm off Facebook and TikTok, my Instagram shortcut was replaced with Substack, and most of my notifications are turned off) but I still (or again?) find myself going into Instagram when I'm bored and doomscrolling.
Your last point - of just *being bored* - is so important, and something I should honour more often. It's okay to not have something to do. You're allowed to passively exist for 5 minutes.
Absolutely! Thank you for reading and sharing your experience. I too go through phases where I'm more or less likely to feel that need to doomscroll, I think it's inevitable. As long as we know how to manage it in a way that works for us ☺️
This was a great piece! One trick I use with my app blocker is to (in addition to my regular blocks) schedule in random times when a particular app will be blocked for an hour (every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10:37am for example). I schedule in enough of these so that when I do reach for an app, at the back of my mind I wonder 'will I even be able to open it right now'? It gets rid of that sense of entitlement (for lack of a better phrase) -- that a particular app will always be available whenever I feel the need for a distraction.
Ooooh I love this! Very smart!
I have to admit ... I do get annoyed when I really *want* to look something up and the app is blocked ... feels like a real emergency 😂 Though I have not once remembered what I needed to look up and gone back to do it later ...
Loved this so much! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading!
Adore this post so much, it's hard to strike a fine balance but I've also opted out of checking my socials constantly and it's a relief more than a self-imposed ban
Marta, you’re so good! Thank you for such a thorough analysis. You really got the gears turning for me. I’m setting up blocks now. Good for you! P.S. The chronically online definition = hilarious perfection.
Thank you Ally! 💕
Does anyone know how to block Substack note