Good Afternoon Uplyft Wellness Family!
I’ve been considering the content for this post since I began this Social Media Fast on October 10th. I knew I wanted to share with you what I learned from this experience in the hope that you will try it for yourself. But before I explain what I learned, I want to share with you what the 10 Day Social Media Fast is and why I did it.
What is the 10 Day Social Media Fast
The 10 Day Social Media Fast was a recommended fast given to all of the 16 million members of my religious faith. If you haven’t already guessed, I am a Christian. In fact, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And my Faith in Jesus Christ has played an integral part in my wellness journey.
When this fast was announced by the head of the church President Russell M. Nelson during the annual woman’s broadcast, I knew I wanted to participate. The invitation was simple, “I invite you to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind. Pray to know which influences to remove during your fast. The effect of your 10-day fast may surprise you. What do you notice after taking a break from perspectives of the world that have been wounding your spirit? Is there a change in where you now want to spend your time and energy? Have any of your priorities shifted—even just a little? I urge you to record and follow through with each impression.” – Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel, October 2018 But, I waited – almost an entire week.
Why did I chose to take part in the fast
Recently, my life has been turned upside down with emotional, physical, and spiritual trials, and I have been desperately searching to find the light at the end of the tunnel. Any source of Hope. I didn’t know how this challenge would help me, but I felt a firm witness from the Holy Spirit that if I embarked on this challenge it would not only bless my life, but it would also bless the lives of my family.
And so I embarked on this challenge. It was much easier than I thought it would be. I chose to remove Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube from my daily routine. In doing this, I deleted the apps from off my smartphone, and filled my time with other more meaningful experiences. I spent time reading from the scriptures, spending time with friends, listening to uplifting talks, praying, and finding ways to be where God’s presence is.
What did I learn from the fast
My days felt more meaningful. It became easier to wake up in the morning and go to bed at night. I wasn’t so worried about what anyone thought or thinks about me. Checking my phone all the time wasn’t as big of an issue for me anymore. I wasn’t hiding from my struggles. And, I had more time to read and do the things that bring me peace. My anxieties weren’t as strong and my depression not so apparent. I was better able to recognize the Holy Spirit in my life.
The thing I noticed the most though, is that my relationship with my husband was different. I wasn’t as judgmental or critical of the things he was doing. It became easier for me to communicate with him. I wasn’t hiding behind my smart phone every time we disagreed or he made me unhappy. It was even easier for me to love him in a more Christ-like and unconditional way than before, to really and truly see him as a Divine Son of God, my Father in Heaven, and to recognize and know that God loves my husband just as much as I do plus some. And it was easier to know that God is aware of our circumstances and the trials and struggles that we both go through on a regular basis.
Coming back to social media has been exceedingly hard for me. I know it is a tool I use to distract myself from the pain and hardships I face in life. I know it isn’t healthy for me. Just these past four days since I have been back on Social Media have been drastically different, and I see now that I need to make some changes – to set some boundaries and healthy restrictions so that I can be happy, and so that my family can be happy.
I definitely encourage everyone to try a Social Media Fast. Maybe you start for 24 hours, then work your way up to 3 days, then 7 days, then 10 days, and maybe you’ll choose to go even longer. I know that the changes and difference I saw in my life are real. And I know you can find them too.