Now that I have regular weekends off, I'd like to try taking a break from social media on Sundays. A weekly Social Media Sabbath, if you will. A chance to turn off the computer, put down the phone, and spend time doing things that refresh my spirit. Like a lot of you, I spend plenty of time every single day checking in on Facebook and Instagram, reading news articles, reading and commenting on and reacting to silly Internet junk, and watching YouTube. I also spend a big chunk of most days worrying over politics. Since Trump took office it's been one terrible situation after another, and people are full of hate for each other and arguing bitterly on social media. (Speaking of hate, I can't even talk about what's going on right now in Charlottesville, Virginia. I don't have adequate words to express my feelings about a situation this awful). It gets exhausting, and isn't conducive to peace of mind. Not to mention how much time social media wastes, even the entertaining parts of it.
I've decided that from now on, Sundays shall be a day of rest (from social media) for me. No Facebook, no YouTube, no idle messing around on the Internet. I have 7 hours to myself on Sundays, because that's one of the days Gregg works at the pet store. I want to spend time with the dogs, cook nice Sunday suppers, get together with friends sometimes, read, and write for this blog (which is the one social media activity I want to keep on Sundays). I want to make a conscious effort to not think or talk about politics or the news. I need a regular break from the Internet, if only once a week!
How about you? Do you set limits on social media consumption? Do you take a personal Sabbath day for religious or secular reasons? If so, I'd love to hear about it!
I do none of those things but I would be far better off if I did.
ReplyDeleteGood decision Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an excellent idea to me.
ReplyDeleteI set limits on social media. I usually take off the weekend, but I'm still catching up from Lappie's breakdown. I'm also very upset about Charlottesville.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Good idea. I think I will adopt it, too, and suggest it to my friends.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't take time off from the net, most of my time isn't spent on social media other than my blog and reading others, which I mostly keep under control. I check FB every couple of days but rarely post. Instagram I check maybe once a week. In spite of the that, I do spend a lot of time in the chair I am now sitting in.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great idea.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer, I don't do Facebook or the social media but I really should cut back on how much time I spend on my iPad.
ReplyDeleteBlogging and Facebook are my only sins. We keep telling our grandsons to put down their iPods and go outdoors, but I expect we spend a good hour or more each day in front of our laptops.
ReplyDeleteHell, I just took six months off. You take what ever time or day you want off. It's allowed.
ReplyDeleteHey, I'd wondered where you were!
DeleteThat is an excellent idea. Like Ms Moon I feel i would be far better off if I did it too. Maybe I will.
ReplyDeleteAs I am neither on Facebook nor Instagram, and do not communicate with folks via WhatsApp, I feel like the balance between my online/offline lives is rather good. And when I am at O.K.'s for the weekend (where I only have my mobile phone and no "proper" computer for my own use), that automatically limits time I spend on the Internet. Same is true when he is here with me - I want to spend as much time as possible with him, which means I won't Switch on the computer unless we want to look up something, like opening times of a place we intend to visit.
ReplyDeleteIf social media, reading the news etc. stress you, then the best thing you can do is limiting your use of all that media. I very much like the idea of you spending a quiet Sunday with your dogs, planning and cooking a nice Sunday supper for yourself and Gregg when he Comes home from work.
I don't use the net any more or less at the weekends any more than I use alcohol more or less because it is a Friday or Saturday. I just carry on as normal, and norma for me involves no more social media than this blog. Charlottesville: Shocking and deeply depressing.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit late...but your new job(s) sound absolutely wonderful! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI don't have an official day of rest, but I do sometimes tell myself, "Not today." Yours is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good idea. I do limit my Internet time -- I make myself put down the computer and go outside or read a book. Especially when, as you point out, the news of the world is looking dire and I need to get away from it!
ReplyDelete