Sometimes We Need To Take a Break… My Week Without Social Media

“Sometimes we need to take a step back”

“Sometimes stepping back is better option then stepping ahead”

“Its ok to take a step back and breath”

The internet is full of quotes about stepping back, and taking the time to look after yourself. In a simple search you can find blogs, and interviews, about the best ways to take time for yourself, and step back from your everyday life… however it always seems easier said than done.

I openly admit that I on many occasions have said that I am going to take a step back, and re shape my life, (there evidence of my many failed attempts on this blog) however every time I have failed, or given up, or simply just not had the time, however this time, I feel I have no choice but I have to.

Reading this blog back over the last few months, I realise that it was full of negativity, and sadness, and please believe me when I say; this was never its intention. The intention of this blog, was a so that I had a place were I could write down my thoughts, and feels each day. Where I could follow my journey of 100 days of not drinking (which lasted 2 weeks), my random food recipes,  anything you can think off, which fills me with joy, instead it turned into something completely different… It turned into the place where I put my sadness out into the world.

Its only look back now, that I can see what I was doing.

Over the last 6 months I was having a really difficult time. There was a lot going on in my life, and I didn’t really know where to turn. I did not know where to turn, who to talk to, or even what words to use, so I wrote it down, not realising just how negative it was. Just writing it down, made me feel like a form of therapy, and I thought I was dealing with it, however it turns out I was very wrong.

I wrote down everything, acting like I was dealing with it when I really wasn’t. I had my friends asking me if I was ok, and of course they knew I really wasn’t, but I refused to take any of the help they were willing to give, which was more un healthy than anything else.

So I am taking a break…

I am taking a break from pretending to be ok.

I am taking a break from being “functioning” when I actually want to be living.

I am taking a break from being the person who my family are afraid to talk to…

I am not saying that this is going to happen over night.

I am not saying that is going to be easy, or that I am not going to have days where I feel like I want to curl up in bed, and not move for weeks on end. Im not saying that I wont slip up, but I am saying that I am going to try.

I am going to try to take a step back, and look at myself, rather than worrying about everyone else around me. For the first time in months I am going to focus on my happiness, and look at what I need. 

I want to be there for the people in my life, who I love and care about. However right not I can’t be, because I don’t love myself (thanks to the eternal wisdom of Rupaul), and I know that if I don’t take a step back, and take break, and sort myself out, then I wont be able to be there for those who around me!

I am gong to take it in stages.

This week I am stepping back from social media. I know this sounds like the first step that everyone takes, but I really do think that for me it is  good step to take.

I spend so much time online. Honestly I feel like rather than my phone being  something which is external to my body, I am beginning to feel that it is attached to my body.

 Its like a extra limb which I can no longer live without.

I have a:

• Personal facebook account
• A work Facebook page
• A facebook messenger
• A personal Instagram account
• A work Instagram account
• A blog Instagram account
• A snap chat
• A Youtube channel. 
• A twitter
• A Spotify artist page
• A Tinder account
• A Bumble account
• A Personal Gmail account
• A Work Gmail account
• A Yahoo email
• A iCloud email
• A Outlook email for university.
• This blog (which I love)
• A Work website

All of which is run through my phone. I spend so much looking at these accounts in my attempts to stay connected to the outside world, I have began to feel like I am not witnessing life which is happening around me.

I have been at lunch with friends and rather than talking we are on our phones, I have been in a theatre show, and rather than concentrating on the show in front of me, I was constantly thinking about what was going on online.

I have been in the best mood ever, and then I suddenly look at my phone and someone who I haven’t spoken to in years, posts something online, and it ruins my day, something which If I hadn’t been online, would not have had any effect on my life.

I know this sounds stupid because I write a blog, but for the next 7 days I am going to challenge myself to quit social media. I am still going to use my phone. I am going call and text, however I am going to hugely reduce the amount of time I spend online, so hopefully my list will go the pervious list to:

• A Personal Gmail account 
• A Work Gmail account
• A Outlook email for university. 
• This blog (which I love) 

All of my social media is going away for the week. I am keeping my main email accounts because I have no choice to, and this blog. This blog will be use to document my week of no social media, however there are rules.

I will write the blog post in my note book, and then I will have 1 hour, to write up, and post the blog online.

I know this week isn’t going to be easy, but I am determined to make this work!

Love

Emma x