In collaboration with ABC’s new romantic comedy show Selfie, I completed a 24-hour “Social Media Cleanse.” The challenge is inspired by Eliza Dooley, the star of Selfie played by Karen Gillan, who is a modern woman with 250k+ followers on social media. With the help of Henry, played by John Cho, Eliza learns to disconnect from technology in order to live in the moment.
Here’s how my 24-hours without social media went down!
5:30am – Woke up for work. Usually, I snooze for a bit and check email, Instagram, and Facebook as I get up and brush my teeth. I realized I couldn’t, so I was just a zombie as I got ready. I noticed how much I look to social media as a way to pass time, even when I’m at stoplights on my drive to work.
7am-3pm – Coincidentally, I’m teaching my seniors about mass society theory, and students are discussing that the use of technology makes us more passive recipients than active participants in culture. We’re talking about whether digital “likes” and “friends” on social media equate affirmations and real relationships.
I had Parent Night until 9pm that evening, so my 15-hour work day helped distract me from the distractions of social media (oh, the irony). I did catch myself wanting to check activity on my phone out of habit.
Have any of you ever disconnected from social media for any period of time?
To watch Eliza’s adventures, tune in for ABC’s Selfie premiering Tuesday, September 30th 8pm/7pm Central.
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I did this for a university essay, I tried to go without the internet for a week and it really did not work! I didn't realise how much I depended on social media and email to contact people.
x
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Wow a week without Internet! That would be impossible not just because of social media but because of work nowadays! I agree with you, we definitely do depend on technology a lot to be in touch with others.
I've tried the whole 24 hour without social media and it's hard! You never realize how much you 'depend' on social media to get thru your day. Esp at work! I find myself picking up my phone out of habit sometimes and don't realize it. It's kinda sad. haha..
xo – Sheila
http://www.sheislovelyblog.com
haha I feel you. I always check my phone out of my habit, especially to distract from boredom, but also because there is always something "going on" digitally even if there's nothing happening around you. I don't know if I see it as sad, just a more modern way of life now!
I don't think I could ever do this! I'm too attached haha! Hope you have a great weekend!
Mel
http://girlandthepolkadot.blogspot.com/
I don't know if I would voluntarily do this again either… 😉 I'm quite attached as well!
fantastic idea!!! 🙂
I very rarely disconnect from social media as it's my full time job at work as well as my hobby! However, it really is refreshing to not look at the internet for a while! I did that in Hong Kong and it was great!
Agreed! I use the Internet frequently for my full time job and social media for my part time job (this blog) that it would not make sense to be disconnected. I do sometimes like when I'm vacationing in areas without Internet connection just to take a break from the digital world. But I found that whenever I'm in Hong Kong, I'm able to get on wifi everywhere! 😉
really nice
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I must say your style is very impressive! You have a fantastic blog and all the pictures are wonderful! Loved everything!
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Happy weekend 🙂
Charu
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that is really cool! but do any of you like that show, though?
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I've only seen the pilot episode, and I'm looking forward to watching more! Also, I'm pretty excited that John Cho is co-starring in the show. As an Asian American, seeing John Cho acting as a successful corporate businessman rather than an archetypal nerd or karate master is so refreshing. Seems like the show is setting up his character, Henry, with the main character, Eliza, and more interracial relationships (like Glenn and Maggie from the Walking Dead) on mainstream TV would be more accurately reflective of the diversity of cultures in the US!
Oh my, I've never tried a day without social media yet! Everytime my alarm goes off I firstly check out all the social media and then I get myself to get up and get ready 🙂 I'd have to try it one day to, but I feel I'd be a little lost without checking my pages hehe 😀
have a greaat day!
http://www.evesbreeze.blogspot.com
I'm glad I'm not the only one who checks my phone first thing in the morning… 😉
I definitely disconnect when I'm at family dinner, when I'm in church and when I'm with my guy. But other than that, I'm connected. I'm with Eva, the first thing I do after the alarm each morning is check twitter.
It's great that you're purposeful in disconnecting from social media when you're in certain company! We definitely should always be more mindful and present when hanging out with loved ones.
I am addicting to blogging and internet. Great post!
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I do the same, I disconnect when in church, dinner with family, while cooking, and the rest I am connected. I want to try this exercise for at least a day and see how it goes. argh, it feels kind of hard to do though!
Congratulations on getting through your social media cleanse! I will have to try this one day! xo
http://www.chasing-peonies.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing! I'm definitely going to try this – i don't consider myself to be addicted, but a little "cleanse" is definitely needed!
Sonya
http://foreverornot.blogspot.com – blog about a Russian girl living in Oregon, USA with a passion for photography, traveling and exploring.
This sounds like a great way to stay grounded. I love this post!
Kárin
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Lately, I've been disconnecting myself from social media. One reason is because my phone is always dying so that helps haha. But I don't really charge it so I just focus on what needs to be done for that day. I'm also mindful of not using it while out a restaurant. I do take a photo, post it, and then put it aside though.
Thank you for sharing this! Seems like you've occupied yourself pretty well!
Love it!
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This post is absolutely inspiring. Makes me want to go on a Social Media Detox day too. I've been too obsessed and reliant on them to pass time that I kind of lost the touch of the real world. I'm definitely gonna do it. This I promise you.
And thanks by the way for dropping by my blog ^_^ Appreciate it.
Oh my goodness, I am addicted to my instagram and while I love it, I often feel so bad about the amount I use it . . . I really should try an "unplugging" challenge some weekend soon but the idea really terrifies me . . . sad, huh?
Kerrie. xo
http://www.rarelytakenseriously.com/
This is so inspiring. As a blogger I find it hard to cut social media out of my daily life even though I see how it interferes all the time. It gets frustrating and I find myself wanting to disconnect more from it. Thanks for sharing this post! Great stuff!
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