I retreated from social platforms in 2018 after realizing how much time and energy I put in to displaying an image absent of my struggles. I created an unrealistic and unhealthy mental trap for myself during a period of my life when I desperately needed clarity.
While some fall victim to comparison on social media, others use it as a means to hide, gloss over or exhibit a rose-colored version of themselves to cope with a less than perfect reality.
Each practice is poison.
It’s easy to stumble down the rabbit hole of false reality on a timeline of curated images, inspirational quotes, and influencers that seem to have it all figured out.
Limiting my timeline intake and sharing on 7 images on Instagram in 2018 wasn’t part of an initial plan to refocus and regain structure. It just sort of happened that way after experiencing life changes that even the most burnished filter couldn’t fix.
What I found along the way was that there was so much work necessary for mental, emotional and spiritual growth– and it needed to be done without incessant scrolling or sharing content that exhibited where I wanted to be rather than where I was.
Removing myself became part of my therapy, a pivotal step in repairing my mind and learning to accept myself with all flaws. I needed to learn to release the ideal of a faultless depiction and share myself whether it’s accepted and applauded or frowned upon and judged.
Reset and recharge
While I plan on returning to timelines in the upcoming year, there will be times when a cleanse is again necessary to reset or recharge. It’s ok to step back from habits that are not serving for the good in a particular season.
Social media became a draining practice for me. I felt a self-imposed pressure to keep up appearances for hundreds of followers that had no clue about the difficulties I faced. I was uncomfortable with my circumstances, but I thought it necessary to maintain a picture perfect feed to offset the offline challenges.
I encourage you to identify the area in your life that creates too much mental clutter, and spend some time without it – or them. During that time, you’ll be able to find the clarity to address areas that really need strengthening.
If you’re like me, cutting out social may be the hidden key to reconnecting with self and beginning to prioritize healthier daily practices.