I’m currently teaching an online course called “Calm In the Storm,” which focuses on finding peace during these turbulent times. Teaching this course has heightened my awareness of my relationship with the news, social media, and the technology that brings them to me. This new awareness has significantly improved my well-being over the past few weeks. I’m now experiencing less anxiety, more clarity, and a stronger sense of accomplishment.
Previously, I was a heavy user of social media. I used to be very active on Google Plus until it was discontinued, and I’ve since pulled back from Facebook due to its negativity. I also stopped using Instagram because it’s owned by Facebook and because I found myself seeking validation through likes and views. Now, Twitter is my main social media platform, but the principles I’m about to share can be applied to any social media platform.
I found myself spending too much time on Twitter, which negatively affected my emotional life. Twitter often promotes outrage and shallow interactions, contributing to a constant state of anxiety and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). To counter this, I made several changes to reduce my reliance on social media and news.
I started by disabling the custom list of news articles on the Chrome browser on my iPhone and deleting the Apple News app to stop constant headline notifications. These changes allowed me to save significant time. Additionally, I stopped using my phone as an alarm clock and now charge it overnight in the living room, using my Apple Watch to tell the time.
When it comes to Twitter, I wanted to reduce my use, but it was difficult. Deleting the app from my iPhone wasn’t enough because I could still access it through browsers. However, I discovered that I could block Twitter entirely on my iPhone using the settings for “Content and Privacy Restrictions.” This added a layer of friction, making it harder to access Twitter and helping me reduce my usage.
For my computer, I installed the Stayfocusd plugin on Chrome, which limits my Twitter usage to 20 minutes a day. This forces me to be more selective about what I engage with on the platform.
To reclaim my attention from constant distractions, I turned off most notifications on my phone, except for essential ones like calendar alerts, text messages, and phone calls. When I need to focus, I use the Do Not Disturb mode.
Initially, I experienced withdrawal symptoms, like restlessly checking my phone, but those feelings have faded. Now, I see my phone as a tool rather than a source of happiness. As a result, I’m calmer, happier, and more focused. I’ve also been reading more and getting more work done, which has been satisfying.
One course participant shared that they have started noticing how they feel when they read something and then decide whether it enhances their quality of life. This simple practice has deep results.
These changes have had a more profound effect on my well-being than my daily meditation practice, giving my life more simplicity and joy. While I’m missing out on stress, anxiety, and overstimulation, the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) is wonderful, and I invite you to join me in this transformation.
Over the past six months, due to stressful life changes, I realized how much time and energy I wasted on the news and social media. By taking a break from Facebook, the news, and my phone, I found more time for reading, meditating, and other fulfilling activities.
Outrage and negativity online are infectious and don’t lead to meaningful action. By controlling our media use, we can better manage our stress and engage with the world more intentionally.
Although I’ve had to limit my news and social media use to maintain my well-being, I still stay informed about important issues. For example, I follow political leaders on Twitter and engage with them on crucial matters. The goal is to cut down on compulsive information consumption, not to become uninformed or indifferent.
In conclusion, while I’ve found Facebook unnecessary and opted out of it, it’s essential to find what works best for you. Setting boundaries and being mindful of media consumption can help us navigate this information-heavy world while maintaining our mental peace and focus.