I was a heavy social media user. I was spending hours on my phone scrolling the day away. Ten minute study breaks turned into an hour and I was glued to my phone during car rides with friends and family, completely tuned out. I was convinced that being on social media was going to benefit me somehow. I knew that it was getting to be too much, so I deleted my social media for a month in order to get my life back. Here is what I learned during my social media cleanse. 

Time is valuable. We have 24 hours in a day and it is up to us how we utilize that time. It's not that we don't have time to get everything done, it's about priorities. I learned that I wasn't prioritizing my tasks enough because I was spending too much time on my phone. During my cleanse, I was much more productive and prioritized my tasks and my hobbies. I was writing more than ever before. 

Leaving social media gave me a sense of presence. Rather than being glued to my phone, I paid more attention to my surroundings and valued my time with friends and family more. My family and friends had my undivided attention when we spent time together. I went out on walks and appreciated what nature had to offer. I noticed things I didn't before because I constantly didn't have my phone in my hand.

I thought I was going to get major FOMO (fear of missing out) and anxiety without social media because I wasn't up to date with everything. It turns out, it was the complete opposite. Deleting my apps gave me a sense of freedom, as if a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. My anxiety was at an all-time low and I was more at peace. I was also feeling really good about myself and gained more self-confidence because I wasn't comparing myself to strangers on social media. 

Leaving social media for a month was the best decision I made. It taught me to value my time more and to be more present. I encourage everyone to take some time and disconnect from the world. Trust me, your mental health will thank you!