Back in January we did a month long social media detox<\/a> and it was such a great experience for us.\u00a0 In fact, it was so great that by early March I wanted to do it again.\u00a0 I had an idea. Let’s see if there’s anyone else out there that would want to do a social media detox as a team challenge during the month of May<\/a>.\u00a0 I honestly thought maybe 1 person would be interested in joining.\u00a0 And then this little pandemic hit the world and I thought absolutely zero people would want to partake.<\/p>\n Well, I am happy to report that I was wrong!\u00a0 We ended up having 34 people join us, nuts! Honestly, I was shocked and so excited.\u00a0 It made me more amped to do this May challenge with a group versus our solo January challenge.\u00a0 Of course, I figured we would not get a 100% participation rate but even just getting one person to take a break was a win in my books.\u00a0 And just like with our blog, getting comments and feedback from the community was the best part of this experience for me personally.<\/p>\n Looking back, taking this detox during this pandemic might have been the best thing possible.\u00a0 With more time on your hands these days, many people are finding themselves with more screen time.\u00a0 Taking this detox forced us to find alternatives rather than hours of mindless scrolling.<\/p>\n To preface, this was a challenge to disconnect from social media only.\u00a0 Emails, text, internet, non-social media apps, etc. were all still on the table.\u00a0 But Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. – see ya in a month.<\/p>\n We’re not looking to get you fired from your job if you need to be checking email from your phone!\u00a0 However, I would argue that your employer should not expect you to be glued to your email via your phone 24\/7 to read – and potentially respond to – any emails that come your way, regardless the time or day of the week.\u00a0 Sadly, I see more and more corporate employees (especially those who receive a free work phone) expected to “on” more than the typical 9:00-5:00 work hours.\u00a0 I think we all can learn a thing or two from the French labor laws<\/a>.\u00a0 I digress…<\/p>\n To start off, we sent out 5 emails in April to the team as prep for May’s challenge.\u00a0 \u00a0These emails were packed with facts from the two books that I had read earlier that greatly influenced me wanting to escape from my phone addition: Digital Minimalism<\/a> by Cal Newport and How To Break Up With Your Phone<\/a> by Catherine Price.\u00a0 These emails also included action items to mentally prep for May such as taking a 24 hour break from your phone completely, installing apps to track how many times you pick up your phone each day, etc.\u00a0 You’ll have to sign up for our next social media detox group challenge to see all the gory details and action items for the lead up.\u00a0 We also sent over questions for the group to respond back to so it provided a team atmosphere showing we are all in this together.<\/p>\n We then sent out another 5 emails in May while the challenge was taking place.\u00a0 (Yes, we were busy over here spitting these emails out for 2 months on top of weekly blog posts!) These emails provided tips and tricks to help the team to engage in more meaningful connections during those times throughout the month when we’re typically having surface connections online. They also provided a ra-ra-cheerleader-you-can-do-it-positive-outlook for those feeling intimidated\/scared\/nervous throughout the journey.\u00a0 Typically these anxious feelings start to dissipate after the first week of the detox and suddenly you start to feel relieved that you no longer are hooked to your social media accounts and have successfully found more meaningful ways to utilize your time.<\/p>\n We received numerous emails through April and May and we are so grateful for all the feedback and thank yous we received.\u00a0 In order to prevent this from being a 6,000 word post, we selected some of our favorite responses over the course of the challenge to share with our readers.<\/p>\n Here’s some of the feedback we received during the month of May while the challenge was taking place:<\/p>\n \u201cThanks for the great challenge!\u00a0 I deleted all my apps so I wouldn\u2019t unconsciously click on them.\u00a0\u00a0I never had Facebook as an app, though.\u00a0 So I found myself opening my website browse and mindlessly going to Facebook FIVE times a day.\u00a0 I can\u2019t even imagine if I kept my other apps!\u00a0 I quickly realized what I did and I\u2019m still in the challenge!\u00a0 Confession: I did go to Facebook market place one night to find my kids rubber boots and shoes!\u00a0 I feel this week I\u2019ve worried less about my finances, saving, etc (I\u2019m on baby step 6). \u00a0And I\u2019m living life a bit more. (We bought a new sprinkler, water guns and grilling items!) \u00a0I love following everyone on Instagram, but I don\u2019t feel pressured to \u201ccatch up\u201d to any one. \u00a0Or try \u201cthat\u201d persons way of investing.\u00a0 A lot of things fell into place this week. I feel like my relationships are stronger.\u00a0 My kids are outside playing more\u2026\u00a0 I\u2019m definitely happier now to get them off their iPads!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so wonderful to be in this challenge together, and I have no words to thank you for doing this for us. \u00a0Curing my social media and cellphone addiction has been on my New Year’s resolution for years now, and I\u2019m glad to finally able to do it (or trying).\u00a0 I deleted my Instagram app and haven\u2019t looked back. \u00a0I still check LinkedIn for professional reasons (virtual meetings, webinars,\u2026) but I\u2019ve never been addicted to LinkedIn, so it wasn\u2019t an issue. \u00a0I checked Facebook \u2013 my main addiction \u2013 maybe 4-5 times, but managed to stay under 15 minutes each visit. \u00a0It\u2019s not perfect, but it\u2019s a hell lot better than my life since\u2026 maybe 2012? \u00a0I don\u2019t remember when my addiction started.\u00a0 I think the longest stretch I was able to go was 4 full days. \u00a0I\u2019m going to keep trying to do better next week. \u00a0I\u2019m definitely still committed. \u00a0Progress over perfection, right?\u00a0 I\u2019m defending my PhD dissertation this month so this detox has been a life saver, which gives me the time I need to write and sleep, instead of mindlessly scrolling.\u00a0 Thank you and until next time!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSurprisingly I have found this easier than expected\u2026 I had to get on Instagram once (to get a recipe of all things), but pretty much went in and out!\u00a0 I don\u2019t actually miss\u00a0social\u00a0media\u00a0per se, and it\u2019s nice not being triggered by all the stuff other people post\u2026 having said that I am still spending a lot of time on my phone (reading the news hahaha). Still, much less than I was! \u00a0I\u2019m almost at the point where I pick my phone up and put it down again because there\u2019s nothing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a good week. I kept checking my blog analytics and news more than usual but have since dropped off with that and removed analytics from my phone so I can only check at work on desktop.\u00a0 It\u2019s felt easy not checking socials, we\u2019ve both been on Facebook briefly and only work related \u2013 like checking our tech support group for the blog etc. but no personal use yet!\u201d<\/p>\n Here were some comments we received in early June after completing the challenge:<\/p>\n “I have completed the challenge and thank you for that. Breaking up with my phone in the past is really hard. This challenge reminded me about the past in 2009 where I could go out of the house without any worries if I forgot my phone at home. Yes, that was me back then. Things have changed when I switched to a smartphone. It totally stole every minute of my life. Maybe that’s too dramatic. But the reality is I spent too much on my phone just like everyone else. The challenge gave me a different perspective and I realized that a phone is just a tool if we know how to use it.<\/p>\n During that 30 day period, I have created a quieter morning where I started my day with prayer and gratitude without looking at what’s happening on Facebook or Instagram. I have found the time to adapt a skin care morning routine followed by making coffee then doing a free yoga on YouTube. I have also found my passion about plants. Though we don’t have a backyard I used pots to plant. Adding greens inside the house makes a huge difference. Taking time off from the noise of social media taught me to slow down and be kind to myself. Sometimes, I tend to compare myself to others when I see what’s out there. But then, with the challenge, I am seeing my progress and I became more focused about me alone and not others.<\/p>\n Last night, I logged in on Instagram for the first time to check my inbox and replied and that’s just it. I no longer scroll and watch every story of people I follow. In short, I’m way better now and I am going to spend my time on the things that matters. Thanks once again!”<\/p>\n “Thank you so much for putting this challenge together. I had been implementing different ways to reduce or hinder my time on social media for the last 6 months or so, but couldn’t bring myself to delete the apps from my phone until you announced this little challenge. For some reason, knowing that other people (people I didn’t even know) would be trying this too gave me the courage. So I’d like to give you some feedback on my experience the last month.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/p>\n Cons:<\/p>\n The challenge was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Maybe because I had eased into it prior. I only found myself really wanting to check or post on social media a few times. I did go on 3x to participate in a neighborhood event. But I only went on for about 5 min each time, I only went to the specific page, and I did zero scrolling. I tried to get my husband to participate too, but as he works out of town and is pretty secluded a lot of the time, he was not ready for something of this nature. As it was, I was still on my phone a ton since I prefer to use it for emails, messaging my family and friends, and talking to my husband when he’s away (75% of the time).<\/p>\n Now I’m sitting here on June 2nd, I still haven’t gone on Facebook and I’m debating the merit of it and whether I want to download it onto my phone again. I probably do, but I think I might set some ground rules first. Thanks again!”<\/p>\n “What were the pros and cons of the challenge?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Haha only con is that it’s for 30 days! I say keep going lol.\u00a0 Pros are definitely more time reading, journaling, cooking and working on fun things for our business.<\/p>\n Was it easier or harder than you imagined?<\/strong><\/p>\n Easier, loved it, and only going back to minimal usage at this stage.<\/p>\n What did you learn from it?<\/strong><\/p>\n A lot. Mainly the platforms and profiles I really wasn’t enjoying, and still don’t miss. I’ve made changes that have completely changed the way we use social media – in particular for business.<\/p>\n One of my favourite things I’ve implemented is creating a Bookmark Folder on my desktop called “Socials”. Here I store all my links to the direct group (on Facebook) or direct Board (on Pinterest) I want to check so it bypasses the feeds and minimizes my chances of getting distracted. It’s been a super win, as I can still get the info I need and then get out of there!<\/p>\n Would you encourage others to take the challenge for themselves?<\/strong><\/p>\n Definitely, and already have!<\/p>\n Did you find this group setting motivational?\u00a0 Did you enjoy the emails or would you have preferred to have done the challenge solo instead?<\/strong><\/p>\n It was a good reminder, and I liked what you came up with to think about during the time off. Also good to be accountable to others, or I probably wouldn’t have been as strict on myself.<\/p>\n Any other comments you may have are welcome!<\/strong><\/p>\n Thanks for encouraging us to do this! I know you put a lot of work into getting it all together, and I appreciate it. It really did make a bigger impact for us than I initially anticipated. :)”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “What were the pros and cons of the challenge?<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros were definitely being more present and finding more time to read actual books! I also felt less anxiety in relation to social comparison which was a surprise as I wouldn\u2019t have said I subscribed to that. Cons were not feeling as linked into a social network and being a bit out of the loop – but that\u2019s easily amended by being more proactive in ringing or texting.<\/p>\n Was it easier or harder than you imagined?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Easier… I missed it much less than I thought. Especially Facebook!<\/p>\n What did you learn from it?<\/strong><\/p>\n I check my phone mainly to be doing something with my hands – and that social media actually does make me feel bad about myself.<\/p>\n Would you encourage others to take the challenge for themselves? <\/strong><\/p>\n Definitely!!!<\/p>\n Did you find this group setting motivational?\u00a0 Did you enjoy the emails or would you have preferred to have done the challenge solo instead?<\/strong><\/p>\n I liked getting the weekly emails! Kept me going.<\/p>\n Any other comments you may have are welcome!<\/strong><\/p>\n Thanks for leading this – really glad I did it!”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n I am so happy of the turnout we received and SO proud for the team members who took this challenge seriously.\u00a0 I know they will have a profoundly different outlook on social media going forward.<\/p>\n There’s so much more I could add to this post but it’s already long and I wanted the feedback from the team members to be the showcase here.\u00a0 I am so humbled by all the amazing responses we received during this challenge and I apologize if your comment didn’t make it into this post – there were so many great ones to choose from!\u00a0 I truly hope this was helpful for those who took part in the challenge.\u00a0 And for those who “failed” kudos to you too for trying!\u00a0 You now have all the emails of ammo we sent out to use as motivation if\/when the time comes for you to try again.<\/p>\n Personally, my happy medium is to have a 30 minute time limit on my phone each day for all social media accounts combined.\u00a0 This way, I can check in and see if there is any pertinent information to address and if not, move on with my day with the things that really matter.\u00a0 I love the connections to the FI community that Instagram and Facebook have presented to me, but now that I have a wonderful community established, my heart is happy.\u00a0 It may only be a few people I actually develop true connections with vs having thousands of followers, but these connections are deep and real and I appreciate them.<\/p>\n Anyone reading who has never taken a social media detox, would you be up to doing one if we did another group challenge later this year?\u00a0 (Hopefully this post inspired you to say yes to this question.)\u00a0 If yes, you’re in luck – we’re game to get ANOTHER group challenge going!\u00a0 Yes, I think this is so important that I want to keep reeling people in haha. And for those who did take part in the challenge, we’d love to have you on board again!\u00a0 Stay tuned for more details in a future post.<\/p>\n If you’re hesitant to take a break, what’s the biggest thing holding you back? (I promise, life as you know it will not end if you escape social media for a month.\u00a0 And bloggers, your traffic will oddly enough likely be the same.)\u00a0 Let us know in the comments below!<\/p>\n If you liked this article and want more content like this, please support this blog by sharing it.\u00a0 Not only does it help spread the FIRE, but it lets me know what content you find beneficial.\u00a0 Writing is NOT my strong suit and it honestly takes me hours to write each post so the more encouragement the better!\u00a0 Engaging in the comments below keeps me motivated.\u00a0 You can also support this blog by subscribing to receive emails anytime a new post is published.\u00a0 Thank you FImily!<\/p>\n We believe in stacking up life hacks to keep your enjoyment levels to the max without depleting your bank account.\u00a0 Here are some ways to further educate yourself and save thousands of dollars over your lifetime by making some simple adjustments:<\/p>\n Back in January we did a month long social media detox and it was such a great experience for us.\u00a0 In fact, it was so …<\/p>\nWhat Did the Social Media Detox Team Challenge Look Like?<\/h2>\n
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