21 days without social media? Easy. Or so I thought. When I decided to fast from social media for 21 days, I was confident it wouldn’t be a big deal. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. This challenge turned out to be eye-opening—not just about my habits but also about how much noise I had been letting into my life.
Here’s what I learned:
- I was on social media way too much. Embarrassing, but true.
- It wasn’t just a time-waster—it was a joy-stealer. Jealousy, anxiety, and negativity had crept in through my endless scrolling, leaving my mind cluttered with things that didn’t matter.
The first week (and if I’m being honest, most of the second) was tough. Every time I had a spare moment, my brain automatically reached for my phone to check what the world was up to. But then, something amazing happened.
I realized I didn’t need it. I could do without it.
Instead of scrolling through other people’s lives, I started living mine. I used that time to research, write, and create—this blog is a perfect example of what came out of that newfound focus. Sure, there were moments when I felt like I was missing out (like forgetting my brother’s girlfriend’s birthday—oops!), but those moments were far outweighed by the benefits.
Without the distraction of social media, I refocused on God and strengthened my faith. I restarted my daily quiet time with Him, and it was as if my eyes were suddenly opened to doors He had already unlocked for me. I just hadn’t stepped through them yet.
I read more. I reset my mindset. I spent more intentional, meaningful time with my husband and daughter. And most importantly, I felt peace—real peace—in a way that endless scrolling never brought me.
Now that my 21-day fast is over, I occasionally check in to stay connected with family and friends, but the mindless doom-scrolling? It’s a thing of the past. My priorities have shifted, and my time is now spent on what truly matters.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or distant from God, I encourage you to try a social media fast. You might just find, like I did, that stepping away makes room for what’s truly important.
Have you ever taken a break from social media?