Why I am saying See You Later to Social Media…

            As I sit here in my apartment with a broken AC and bright red circles around my eyes from crying on the phone with my friend for the past hour and half, I look like a hot mess (no pun intended J). All this excitement of what was suppose to be a chill night has caused me to realized that I have been too consumed by validation from all the wrong venues: people, what they say about me, and whether or not they like me. I know I have always struggled with this, but as I head more into “adult world” I was convinced I would not have to deal with it anymore. Wrong. It seems to come in so many different forms that I cannot seem to master or understand. One of the biggest hindrances is social media. I have said it since the 9^th grade; social media is the biggest time waster and self-confidence destroyer. Now I am not going to go and say there are not perks of having social media: staying connected, enjoying countless/mindless information sharing, and indulging by living vicariously through the photos of others. I like the rest of the world enjoy the mindless aspect of it. However, I am talking about how being consumed by it so much that it is becoming a habit/addiction. I detest it. I sit down for a brief second at work or at home, I pull up Instagram and scroll through the pictures, wishing I was vacationing in that warm tropical destination, walking down an isle in a fancy wedding gown to a man who looks with joy at his bride, or looking as beautiful, breathtaking as some of the modeltastic girls that post pictures of themselves with their all their designer clothes and makeup.  If it isn’t Instagram, it is opening up my Facebook/twitter/snapchap first thing in the morning or at night to get the newest gossip or not even reading anything just the act of opening it up. It is used as a numbing escape tool after I have a stressful day at work or a time waster when I am bored with nothing to do. I am taking a break from social media as I focus more of my time in studying the word, saving money to put a down payment on my new home, spending times with friends and family, and working on being healthier and my new interest of learning how to cook. I am not unrealistic in my efforts in taking a break from social media therefore I have set parameters. I am deactivating ALL of my accounts and deleting ALL social media apps (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchap, Twitter) for at least two months. You may say, well that isn’t that long, I don’t know if you can do it, or you spent longer time abroad with hardly any Internet at all? Well, you are correct. Two months will give me enough time to start better habits. They say it really only takes 31 days to create a habit, and I am doing 60 just to make sure. There is nothing wrong with validation, loving being connected, or just having mindless activities to do. I am using this as a tool to help me focus and turn my desire towards Christ. I am thankful for two wise friends tonight. Thanks for speaking truth into my life. Whether it is through long awkward pauses in phone conversations listening to calling me out by telling me to keep it real, I thank you. Truth whether I wanted to hear it or not was just the fuel to the fire that I needed. So if you are reading this post on any form of social media, see you Oct. 15^th! Please be praying for discipline and perseverance as I will be working on something I have been struggling with for a long time.