40 Days Without Social Media

The First Days

When I first began this challenge, it was very hard for me to figure out what to do. I constantly would catch myself turning to my phone, going to open up my apps and then realize that they had been deleted. I suddenly was stuck looking out the window in the car on the way to school or just waiting and doing nothing while I was bored. It was odd not having something to entertain me when I was in a break period between classes, sitting in the car, or even waiting for practice to start.

Adapting to the Change

A couple days later, I had begun finding a book to bring with me to read when activity died down or bringing homework to get a head start on while I was waiting. Suddenly, I had no activity to procrastinate with, and I was getting all my work done faster, using my study hall efficiently, and later even saw my test scores going up. I had started to enjoy things I used to like reading, drawing, and even just listening to music. The constant reflex to scroll on my phone had disappeared, and I was living life to its fullest. I never really understood how my mood and productivity improved so greatly, since in my head I had it that social media was just a fun activity like TV. But soon it clicked that it was addictive. Rather than just using it occasionally, I was always finding an excuse to use it. So, I began to research why this is, and understand more. And a couple weeks later, came the idea for a solution in my community.

My Ideas

I had been brainstorming quite a bit, trying to figure out how to persuade teens like me that social media is an issue. Because really, would I even have been persuaded by anyone to stop? Probably not. So, I began to interview some of my friends, and conduct some experiments as a part of an entrepreneurship class I was taking. Soon, I had some data and had the idea to do what I called an 'Unplugged Challenge' at my school. But, nobody I talked to said they would do it! So, i kept brainstorming and then came along Reels 2 Real.

After the 40 Days

In the end, after Lent was over, I wondered whether or not to even get back on my socials. I eventually decided to keep up with them occasionally, since I need it for my athletic profile, but to be weary of when and why I am using it. What I don't need, is to fall back into this endless loop I was in previously. I decided to set limits and control when and how I went on social media. I ended up learning a huge lesson and found great joy in exiting the reel to focus on REAL life.