I Removed Most Social Media & Streaming Apps from My Phone. — A Journey of Changes
10 April 2022
This is the first day I removed Instagram, Twitter, Netflix, Viu, and Youtube from my phone. I do not delete my account and stop my subscription though. It is still there, I can still use them. Just not on my phone. I can open Instagram and Twitter from my laptop and watch the streaming services through TV in the living room.
It was not my first time and effort. I have tried logging out of my personal account on Instagram for a month back in Rajab. I have put Apps Timer on those apps, limiting myself to an hour of each for the past few months. However, I keep on adding unlimited time for the day once it reaches its limit.
How’s the first day? I kind of feel liberated. Like, freed from the instinct to open social media every time I touch my phone (Cause even if I feel like it, it’s harder to access it: I need to install and log in first). I miss the instant source of entertainment though. No more binge-watching over lunch/dinner and before sleep.
So, I start looking for alternatives…
13 April 2022
On to the third day. Now when I have some free time or am in need of some entertainment, I’d go to Tempo instead of scrolling through my Twitter feed; I open Duolingo and continue my Korean lesson to kill time; I read a novel on Scribd when I feel like watching movies; Now I even go to Medium and write because I need to share my thoughts.
One realization that comes to me after these past few days is… Social media may seem to make it easier for people to connect with others (and fulfill their social needs). But on the other hand, the connection and interaction may lose their depth (although maybe it’s just me LOL).
You see, instead of just sharing whatever thoughts and stories to every follower I have and giving responses to what others share, I could make a better effort to build and maintain friendships. Such as genuinely and privately connecting to those who are precious in life in a more intimate conversation.
Here’s the thing to ponder, how much information that we share and that we see of others really matters in our lives?
11 June 2022
Two months after. I have gone back and forth between installing and uninstalling some of the apps. I might also spend too much time on Instagram and Twitter than I thought was ideal. So yeah, it is not like I perfectly get myself out of the platforms. But I feel like I can snap back to awareness easier and faster whenever I dwell too much on social media or spend too much time binge-watching something.
Although I am still working through these, there are some benefits that I already feel:
- There’s more time to do things that matter
- For someone who is still learning how to build relationships with others, I got to force myself to put the effort and personally reach out to people instead of just blurting out what I want to say on social media
- I get back to writing more rather than just short tweets with no context
- My mind is freed from unnecessary information floods
- I can enjoy the moment to the fullest as there is no obligation or pressure to update anything on my social media
- I value the time I have to watch movies more than before
Well, all in all, it is quite a fun experience. Now I have the time to ponder what kind of things I want to share anywhere and what is my true intention.
#30DWC #30DWCJilid37 #Hari10
