A Day Without Social Media

Escaping the Noise: A Day of Silence, Stillness, and Self-Discovery

Let me preface this by saying I’m literally bouncing and typing as I listen to a new artist I discovered today. Have you ever heard a song for the first time and instantly felt the urge to move your body? I love dancing — always have, since I was a kid. But as I got older and developed an anxiety disorder, I stopped allowing myself to truly let go and be free.

I remember attending a family wedding a few years ago. I couldn’t help but feel envious of the guests, especially the younger generation, who were just dancing their hearts out. Sure, some were definitely drunk, but it was the freedom of being fully present in the music and joy they were experiencing that I craved. I got on the dance floor, but I never really let go. I was too worried about what others might think to truly enjoy myself.

All that to say, I love to dance. Today, I discovered some new music and found myself letting go in a way I haven’t in years, something I truly don’t think would’ve happened if I hadn’t taken a break from social media. But that wasn’t the only thing I noticed. It was surprisingly revealing in its simplicity; when you stop scrolling all the time, you start paying attention to the little things hidden under a smog. Things like noticing, during my drive to work, how geese huddled together in the bitter cold, or how stunning a frozen river can be.

I was also able to listen to a Mel Robbins podcast and actually hear it, instead of just letting it be background noise to my nervous system, which lately feels like it’s being chased by a bear. I was truly present, able to absorb the information, and even learned something valuable about morning routines. It turns out that creating stronger morning routines, like not checking social media first thing, could help me manage my anxiety. It’s something I already knew, but today, I was actually experiencing it in real time. It felt like a sign from the universe saying, "I told you so."

Although I woke up late today and was upset that I didn’t have time to follow my full workout plan and had to skip my favorite Taylor Swift Pilates class, I still enjoyed the pop ride with Ally Love on Peloton. I forgot to set my alarm, and Armando woke me up once he realized I had overslept. In my rush to get to the basement and start my workout, I didn’t even have time to think about social media. It took three songs to fully wake up, but once Good Luck Babe by Chappell Roan played, I was up and instantly filled with good vibes.

Those vibes, paired with the endorphins, definitely carried me through the day and motivated me to intentionally avoid any social media apps on my phone. It’s insane how much control a small rectangle in our pockets can have over our daily lives. I must admit, I mindlessly opened Instagram a few times without even realizing it. I ended up moving the social media apps to the last page of my phone so I’d have to swipe a few times before getting to them. By then, though, I was more aware of what I was doing and could stop myself.

So what was a day without social media? It was exactly what I needed — restorative and calm. I felt myself clawing my way back to the surface. The creative, nerdy side of me was no longer buried under boulders of chaos. I want to show up for myself. I need to prioritize my mental health just as much as my physical health. I cannot show up for others if I don’t show up for myself first.

Times are scary, and now more than ever, we need each other. But we cannot show up for anyone if we don’t prioritize ourselves first. I want to keep showing up on social media and exploring the world through words, but I have to set boundaries around what I’m consuming. Do I want to be informed about what’s going on around me? Of course I do. But I can’t allow myself to consume that every time I have a free moment. So, I’ll continue showing up, but with strict boundaries. I will choose joy again, because, remember, it’s revolutionary.

This is one of the decorated shelves in my living room. The four books displayed are some of my favorite fiction titles.

And remember, THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS—you deserve it!