By Alexa Wolforth-
While brainstorming what I should write for my blog this week, I recalled a few months ago listening to a podcast that really caught my attention. It was about social media and how much it affects our everyday lives without even realizing. It was so eye-opening to me that I implemented changes right away and have loved the results of those adjustments. I don’t think we always realize how much time is spent mindlessly scrolling through the app(s) of your choice (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter, etc.) when we could be using that time to do other things that actually enhance our lives. According to Google, the average person spends 2 hours and 24 minutes per day on social media… I disagree. From personal experience, I think people spend way more time than that.
While my social media is not deleted completely, the changes I have implemented for myself have helped me remarkably.
The first change I made was I immediately deleted TikTok. I spent an embarrassing amount of time scrolling through videos of people I didn’t even know. Worse than that, I found myself absentmindedly reaching for my phone to open the app first thing in the morning (which I found scary when I actually sat down and thought about it). To validate my decision even more, I haven’t even missed it since I deleted it.
Next, I turned on the new setting on my iPhone that creates a limit to your screen time. I started out with 2 hours originally (before knowing the Google statistic), but now have it set for 1 hour per day. It has helped me cut down tremendously on my time spent on social media. The way it works is, when you are approaching your limit, you get a 5-minute warning before it locks your apps for the rest of the day. I still scroll through Facebook or Instagram but having a limit set for myself everyday truly helps hold me accountable.
Lastly, I removed the “like” count from all of my Instagram posts. These “likes” keep us hooked, consciously and unconsciously, to the app. Researchers have discovered that the act of receiving “likes” and “comments” is linked to the concept of social reward, which floods our brain with happiness-inducing dopamine. So, the more “likes” we get, the more we want to keep posting. However, there is a negative side to this as well – if you post something that doesn’t have enough interaction based on your standards, then it has the opposite effect. For myself, it has helped decrease the cycle of social media addiction. It makes me feel like I have more of a sense of control over my social media and leads to me posting content that brings me joy instead of validation from others.
I’ve found that I have so much more time in the day to do things that are important to me. I’m reading more books, having more present in-person conversations, getting back into a morning routine, playing card games with the family, putting my phone away at dinner time, taking walks, enjoying the weather and sunset outside on our back patio, cooking, and listening to music (the list could go on). I feel happier the less time I spend scrolling through my phone and the more time being present with the people I love.
When scrolling through your phone brainlessly becomes your go-to time filler, it is probably time for you to find avenues to help you become more intentional with your time on social media. If this is you, I encourage you to make some adjustments in your screen time. You won’t regret it!
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Important TBR Updates
- Information and dates for our 2022 3-Day Elite Pitchers Bootcamps can be found on our website. Call the office or fill out the online registration form(s) to reserve your spot! https://www.texasbaseballranch.com/elite-pitchers-bootcamp/
- We’ve just released the information on our Extended Stay Summer Program. Ranch athletes receive messages like the one above at the start of every training day. If you’d like more information, go to https://www.texasbaseballranch.com/events/tbr-summer-program/ There’s a $500 Early Bird Savings through March 31st. Space is limited each week so don’t delay.
