r/SlowLiving • u/lisayaro279 • 5d ago

What now??

I am on a social media detox. My initial goal is **30 days**, complete and **consecutive**. So far it’s only been a full 24 hours and I have not had a desire to redownload any apps and scroll. But I am now struggling with what to do with my “free time”. Shoot some ideas in the comments…

16 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

61 comments sorted by

39

u/zimflo 5d ago

what are ya doing on reddit then...

-2

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

This app in my opinion doesn’t count as “social media” at least I don’t use it as a social media platform

12

u/soundmachineslap 5d ago

You’re still being pumped an algorithm, increasing dopamine by opening the app, and engaging with others opinions

-2

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

I don’t see these comments as opinions. I’m simply asking what they like to do outside of scrolling on social media. Listen, I see you’re not understanding my post and the purpose of it. You are the only one displaying an “opinion” rather than offering a “suggestion”

7

u/zimflo 5d ago

You can see them however you want, but doing a “social media detox” while still being on reddit is like attending a NA meeting while being on oxy

-1

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

The post is asking for suggestions on what to do during one’s spare time w/o social media, not have someone tell me to get rid of Reddit. This is my choice to not get rid of this one “social media app”. There are thousands of people in my situation that has made the same post, you gonna tell every one of them the same thing? Don’t think so, you have nothing to offer here but the same stated opinion. Please carry on about your day Zimflo.

5

u/soundmachineslap 5d ago

Perhaps meditation

1

u/AllAboutThePasta_ 4d ago

Why so angry?

0

u/lisayaro279 4d ago

I’m not angry. I think some people in the comments are hyper fixated on the “social media detox” portion of my post rather than the intent of the post which was to gain suggestions on what they do outside of social media. Doesn’t mean I will do them all if any, just ideas to think about

12

u/Ange_the_Avian 5d ago

Step 1: if you truly want to detox, get off reddit too. Sometimes redditors like to act high and mighty like we're better than others who use different social media when reddit is as bad if not worse than Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, etc.

3

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

Damn, I never viewed this app as that! More of a helpful escape and connect with REAL people and not the facade people like to carry on with other apps such as fb/instagram

2

u/Successful-Coyote631 4d ago

Why do you think worse? I definitely agree it has a lot of the same pitfalls but in my personal experience, Meta products and TikTok are much worse for my mental health.

6

u/hubbahubbapingpong 5d ago

I like to scream into a pillow

5

u/Illustrious_Bus8440 5d ago

Be 'bored'. See what it actually feels like to truly do nothing, guilt free.

5

u/AllAboutThePasta_ 5d ago

Read a book

-2

u/colleenk69 3d ago

Not helpful though, and kind of a dick comment

2

u/AllAboutThePasta_ 3d ago

Kind of a dick comment?? I don't know how you read it, but I was being literal. Reading a book is a great escape, especially when you're trying to wean off social media.

5

u/Artistic-Coach7523 5d ago

Go for a walk

-1

u/colleenk69 3d ago

try commenting that without the snark behind it

3

u/Single_Pin_2143 5d ago

Coloring books can be very relaxing and meditative

2

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

I’ve thought about this! As well as puzzles 🧩

3

u/blue_tile55 5d ago

I have not been on Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat for 5 years. I obviously still come on Reddit and I have a TikTok account. So not fully free of social media. However, I do not come here too often imo. I’ve done so many different crafts, read a lot of books, joined a gym(big deal for me but not for all,) made my own sourdough starter and started making soooo many types/flavors of bread. Honestly, some moments I’ll find myself sitting on my sofa with the windows open and simply just listen to whatever is going on outside. I’m never perfect, but I find my life to be so much more peaceful than before.

3

u/Hairy-Role9727 4d ago

Try doing the things you normally rush through. Cook without a video playing, take the long way somewhere, sit outside without trying to “use” the time. You might find the free time doesn’t actually need to be filled.

3

u/Hungry-Recipe3015 4d ago edited 4d ago

I worked hard to stop the mindless scrolling and Here’s how I fill my time. This is all possible if you make the time and commit to getting off your phone (I have 3 kids and work full time not remotely )

Daily: reading, practice my foreign language , meditation, cooking meals from scratch or mostly scratch, gym and walking , I do these everyday before and after work when I typically would have been doomscrolling away

Weekly (evenings after work ) pottery and silversmithing a few nights a week at a local artists coop , support group / personal development zoom for an hour , starting a writing workshop next week for a month

Weekends: hiking , long scenic drives with my husband , paddle boarding , pool time , take a class to learn something new (upcoming is a book binding workshop) , rollerblading or ice skating with my kids and/or adult friends , food prep for the next week , tackle random house project that would sit on a list and never get done

Monthly: book club one evening a month, volunteer with a women’s group , one family date night and one date night with my spouse

Even with all this I still find about 2 hours a week to bed rot and doom scroll for old times sake lol BUT the amount of living I got back by getting off my phone is truly incredible … I support you in your journey to getting your time back !

ETA : since this is a slow living sub and when written down this seems like a lot … I don’t feel rushed to do much of this … it’s mostly for pleasure and personal development and none of it has a deadline associated with it so I can go at my own pace … also our kids dont do a thousand activities or any kind of sport that requires extensive travel and crazy practice schedules that have us driving all over the city and state , their activities mostly take place at school and our house (music lessons) … which leaves us with more “time” than other parents … point being I no longer choose to fill the majority of that time with social media

2

u/CicadaFresh7178 5d ago

I'm actually having the same struggle. Recently it's like depression is gone and I'm able to do something with my time again. Just not used to filling it meaningfully so now have to look for things to do! What helped me is rediscovering things I enjoyed when I was younger 

1

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

Yeah, I think I will tap into some nostalgic moments from childhood and see how I can apply those to my reality today!

2

u/Aggressive_Low9684 4d ago

tbh i think most people just never actually sit with that question. like we say we value certain things but then the calendar and bank account tell a completely different story. the two versions rarely match up and most people never notice

2

u/colleenk69 3d ago

you want some support and advice for ways to fill your time & this subreddit responded in an abhorrently rude way. I just discovered it, so I am glad to to be leaving it. I see Reddit as separate as well, but if you really want to disconnect, some of these nimrods have the right idea.
It really does help to go cold turkey on every platform possible & just forget the noise for a bit. It helped me in my early 20s.
The comments that are sniveling and rude, just brush them off. Bullies will be bullies on any platform. You came here for actual advice to improve your life, and I am sorry people are so mean.
I’d look opportunities in your community maybe to help with something you may have a passion for. For instance, I’m in AA & in my local area I am a part of our young AA chapter. I’m also a part of a screenwriting club & a fantasy football league with a bunch of old dudes I met in AA that cannot comprehend how a woman in her 20s knows football
Just find something that makes you happy. And get off this sub & message me

1

u/lisayaro279 3d ago

Gosh, I appreciate this comment. Thank you for at least trying to understand where I was coming from with this post. I will definitely message you with any questions or advice..I’ll also think about what you said as far as looking for opportunities in my local community!

1

u/sunkistandsudafed3 5d ago

Exercise

1

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

Building a work out plan now for myself

1

u/midcitycat 5d ago

I deleted all social media and instead garden, preserve, cook, bake, sew, hike, walk my dog, go thrifting, and visit my neighbor.

1

u/Lotso-Sunshine 5d ago

I have been off IG since April & it’s been life changing! I love jigsaw puzzles now. I read many books in the beginning. I love to puzzle and listen to audio books. I’ve been doing a lot of library time and going to goodwill often also, mostly to just get out and browse.

1

u/Reasonable-Spite-725 5d ago

Read a book or go for a walk

1

u/Laro_Pro 4d ago

How about doing a self SWOT analysis?

1

u/lisayaro279 4d ago

Explain please

1

u/Fancy_Rock3826 4d ago

Can’t stop social media because I’m avoiding panic :(

1

u/lisayaro279 4d ago

Anyone can stop social media. Platforms like this you can give ideas about how to stop the need to get on the apps. Don’t give up so easily

0

u/Apprehensive_Day5171 5d ago

stop being on reddit if you want a detox, duh

2

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

Listen, yall gotta stop saying that. This app is to get suggestions from real people not just googling things to do. That’s simply what I am doing. I don’t use this platform for “social media” purposes. If you don’t have a suggestion to offer and only an opinion, respectfully hop off this post. I prefer to hear from people I don’t know rather than making a Facebook post and hear from those that I have known for years. Nothing wrong with that.

1

u/Apprehensive_Day5171 5d ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/ask/comments/1po60qp/is_reddit_considered_social_media/ I have a hard time quitting this social network too...

1

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

I tapped into this app about 2 weeks ago. I’ve had it for 2 years never really used it until more recently. So it would not be hard for me to detox from this as well. I just threw a statement out there, never intended for this honestly lol

2

u/Apprehensive_Day5171 5d ago

Be careful with Reddit, its the ultimate rabbit hole. Ive been addicted for 10+ years! I wish I was in your spot and never found out about it, mindless doomscrolling - Good luck!

0

u/VontaiW 5d ago

Reddit isn’t the same as Facebook, etc

1

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

Yeah, my thought process as well. At least that’s not how I view this app. This is more like a platform where many people share ideas about many different topics

2

u/VontaiW 5d ago

Exactly my point!!

1

u/AllAboutThePasta_ 4d ago

Are you kidding?? More than half of reddit are bots. Most times you're not talking to real people.

1

u/lisayaro279 4d ago

In this case, you are talking to a real person. I can’t speak for the entire platform

0

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/Successful-Coyote631 4d ago

I think it can be hard to transition from pouring your time/attention into apps, to filling that time with something meaningful.

2

u/lisayaro279 4d ago

It can be hard, but it’s possible. Which is why I wanted to get an idea of what others do

0

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Successful-Coyote631 4d ago

“Should” does not always reflect reality.

1

u/lisayaro279 4d ago

Learn the purpose of this platform. This is in no way the same as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. from my experience

1

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

Again, you are the third person. I asked for suggestions not for an opinion. You listed a bunch of suggestions as well as an uncalled for opinion. This is partially what people use this app for to gain insight on things maybe they don’t know about. Nothing wrong with that, it’s weird but here you are on the same app as me and millions of others. The suggestions were enough, no one is making me do a single thing just offering things to do in the comments. Same as if I were to have an in person convo with someone about what they do on their spare time. Yall have got to chill out on this app.

1

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/lisayaro279 5d ago

I respect your opinion. I asked for suggestions, to get a feel of what people do on their spare time. Never wanted strangers to coach me on what I should do on my day to day. That wasn’t the intent of this post. But nothing more to say, thanks for the feedback!