Why the Digital Detox is so damn toxic
Hi Bestie!
Let's chat about something we've all considered at one point – the social media detox.
It's like declaring a timeout from the virtual world, hoping for a mental reset.
But, spoiler alert, it doesn't always play out as smoothly as we envision, well, it didn't for me anyway.
Loneliness, FOMO, and a rebound effect that hits harder than a Sunday evening.
Instead of ghosting your online life, I propose a different solution.
The Loneliness Tango
Imagine hitting the pause button on social media.
Sounds peaceful, right?
Well, when I tried it, I did not find inner peace, for me, it felt like stepping away from a cosy morning coffee with friends and finding myself in an empty room.
The isolation crept in, and so did the FOMO.
I felt like I was missing out.
Who knew my daily scroll was like a comforting chat with a bunch of besties?
I even started to miss the feeds of pages I didn't know in person, the ones who don't even know I exist!
Hi, Selfish Mother! - The moment I stopped my daily scroll Molly packed in her daily life running a small business, and jets off around the world, whaaat?!
The Binge-Worthy Rebound
Successfully complete the social media detox, and then what?
You waltz back into the scene only to be greeted by a flood of posts, updates, and memes.
It's like returning from holiday to find a pile of unread letters, and an overflowing inbox.
Suddenly, you're caught in a digital whirlwind, and clarity seems like a distant dream.
The Solution: Feed TLC
Before you think about ghosting your online life, consider this – a little (or a LOT of) TLC for your feed.
Unfollow the negativity, mute the drama (they will never know), and make your digital space a cozy corner of the internet.
It's not about cutting ties but about nurturing a space that lifts you up.
Taking control of your feed is like tending to a garden.
Prune away the unnecessary, plant seeds of positivity, and watch your online space blossom.
Follow accounts that bring joy, inspire you, and make you feel like you're part of a supportive community.
So, instead of waving goodbye to social media like it's a toxic ex, let's give it a warm hug and a little makeover.
Loneliness, FOMO, and post-detox chaos are no match for a gently curated feed.
Take it easy, tidy up, and let your online world become a garden of happiness.
Your digital self will thank you for it!
My IG, TikTok and Facebook feeds are now happy and colourful places to be.
Although, I did end up f**king off Twitter for good, as it doesn't give you the same control over your feed as the others.
Have you ever considered, or done, a digital detox?
Let me know!
Love this I’ve done this a few times especially over Christmas period this year as I lost my nan suddenly on Christmas Day it’s good to have a break from all social media. Having this had really helped me on so many ways
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Sugar and Sloth replied:
Oh goodness I’m so sorry for your loss lovely, sending hugs your way xx
Digital Detox is one that something that brings fear into the lives of some and joy to others.
My friend group displays this monthly to me. For a few years now, I put my phone away for 1 day of the month – no IG, no X, no breaking news, no text message and no teenager demanding a drink via WhatsApp! I find it allows me some time just to step away, no instant pull throughout the day relaxes and chills me right out but what I never considered was the impact this would have on the people trying to contact me… I always have 2 response “where are you, why aren’t you answering, what is going on” or “it’s that day isn’t it, have a good one” by introducing my own copying mechanism, I never intended to stress others out but even when they know it is coming that is what my non communication does to some and that worries me, how and when did this little magic boxes in our hands become so involved in our lives that time away is harmful to some and glorious to other.
I’m happy I have found my way and I am glad that, you, Anita have found yours…I wish everyone else luck in finding their piece of digital detox heaven. Nx
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Sugar and Sloth replied:
Hi Nen, oh wow, it sounds like that one day is super beneficial for you, and a fab way of gently setting some social boundaries. Enjoy that one day a month guilt-free lovely, you more than deserve it! <3 x
I personally love the concept of digital detox, but putting it into practice is pretty much as you described, I felt lonely and isolated, especially as I don’t have many friends and the friends I do have live hours away. I instead opted for setting timers on my apps, I get one hour in the AM and one hour in the PM (per app). This keeps me socially satisfied but I also don’t feel like I’m glued to my phone. I’ve also been trying to incorporate more of my “digital life” into my real life, for example, I love gardening content. It’s one of the main things I consume on social media. I’ve started planning and organizing so that I can make my own garden come spring and now I feel full filled in my real life too.
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Sugar and Sloth replied:
Hi Eliott, it sounds like you have the perfect social media-real life combo going on there, I’d love to see pics of your garden in the spring, I bet it’ll look AMAZING! :) x
Hi
I don’t necessarily find a total detox a comfort but I do on occasions have a phone free Sunday and I enjoy the time away and then when I’m ‘rested’ from it I get back on and look at dog articles, cosy cottages, self care, look what my friends had for lunch 😂 and smile 😊
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Sugar and Sloth replied:
Ooh, Hiedi-Sarah, you paint such a cosy picture, I love seeing what people had for lunch! :D x
I completely agree with you. I don’t understand the narrative that social media is inherently toxic and I believe it is all about curating your online life to make it work for you. I only keep people on my fb or ig that make me feel happy, comfortable, inspired etc and I delete or mute any that don’t.
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Sugar and Sloth replied:
Aww I’m so pleased the people on your socials make you happy Kate, that’s lovely to know! :) x
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