Social Media Break 2020: Defrag Your Brain
Here we are again with another social media break. This is my 3rd social media break but only my second time blogging about it. Reason being, when I started the first social media break, I had not yet started doing stand up comedy nor did I have this website. Last year I decided to document the month off of social media and I was able to get a lot out of it. I also like this type of writing style and will be working to implement more of it for various other blog ideas I have. One being a weekly blog that I do Day 1 Day 2 etc. Hopefully, I can be as consistent as I was with this blog which by the way is very surprising given my propensity for not following through and my lack of discipline. Anyway, let’s get to the nitty gritty. For you first timers, the daily entries you are going to read below are random thoughts I have throughout the day. I warn you of this because in case you are reading and all of a sudden think “that has nothing to do with what I was just reading. I could have had one thought in the morning and another at night but it might read as if it were the same stream of though. It’s probably not. I am writing this the day after having been back on all social media platforms and while it’s nice to see some people I am realizing one thing I didn’t think I would ever say: I didn’t miss it that much. Maybe that is just how I feel right now but I did a little scrolling and then that was it. Check back with me next week and I could be a social crackhead again but for now I will just take it one day at a time. I hope you enjoy and please reach out to me if you have any feedback or if you try it yourself.
Day 1
My boy DJ is getting married! I actually started the break half a day early yesterday. Just was excited and anxious to disconnect. So many emotions and I’m actually not in a good place going in to this so more than anything I’m interested to how this helps my mood. I’ve been pretty depressed because 2020 just was off to a rocky start with some personal issues and then the Kobe Bryant, his daughter and the other passengers’ death put me close to the edge. Check out my podcast Episode 24 - The Kobe Effect to see how I go into detail about how ALL of the deaths affected me on multiple levels. The most important part of sharing my depression is because I also share how I cope with it. I get feedback from some of you relating to what I’m saying it helps me feel like I’m not alone. This year I’m going back to the basics of logging my thoughts in a nonlinear stream throughout the day. Another thing I’m excited about is reconnecting with the people I interact with on a daily basis off of social media. I have noticed in previous breaks that I get more excited to see people. Also I will be able to talk about it more on the podcast (The V Cast) this year. 🎶 🎵 IVE GOT....THAT SCROLLING FEELINGGGG 🎶 🎵 The wedding was great! And I can’t share that thought or any of the videos or pictures I took. I wonder what pics I’m tagged in...
Day 2
I recorded a podcast this morning. Talked about the break. Very interested to see what I learn this time so the journaling will be key. This method of using my notes on my phone is easy as well. I find myself scrolling through the apps on my phone. I’m sure I will get to rearrange my apps, clean up pictures and focus on more organization while I stare at my screen the next couple of weeks. Just posted the podcast and I’m not able to tell anyone to listen to it. I also went on Facebook, went right to the shortcuts without looking at anything, went to the Laugh It Up Tuesday Facebook page and deleted a post I made a mistake on and got right off. No cheating. Do I need social media? The super bowl came and went and there were a few times I grabbed my phone because I thought of an idea for a tweet. Other than that this has been an easier start to the break than previous years.
Day 3
I feel so much more social. I want to show people pictures from the wedding and talk a little more. I’m excited about the podcast tonight and having a guest. I deleted LinkedIn today as well. I just felt like it was a crutch to hold on to and I don’t need it either. I open my phone and stare at it sometimes. There has to be something else I can do with my phone, right?
Day 4
Tonight is Laugh It Up Tuesday and I woke up considering if it would be cheating if i logged on to Facebook to post the flyer on the Laugh it up Tuesday page and yes, it would be cheating. I am spending a lot of time staring at my phone, trying to figure out another way to escape instead of social media. Very anxious for the first show because the comics might not be aware that I’m off social media and might try to message me that they can’t make it or they’re going to be late. No clue. I wonder if there is an auto reply feature or an away message. I did not explore that but it’s good to know from next year. My anxiety is rising in regards to not having the outlet of escapism that scrolling aimlessly provides. I am thinking of excuses to quit and/or not do it again next year which tells me that I really needed this. Not sure if I mentioned that I think I’m not going to download the Facebook app again. As I typed this I realized that I didn’t mention anything. I just thought of it
Day 5
Some comics tried to reach me to tell me they were going to be late or not show up at all. They passed the message through someone else. So this is what it used to work like... I really do miss being able to express myself to all of my people. This year I’m still putting out content while on the break. Real Gs move in silence, like lasagna. Officially started organizing my photos. Very happy to be off during the end to the impeachment process.
Day 6
I get a pit in my stomach whenever I drop my daughter off at school or Nona’s house. Never shared that before. Missing the ability to share random thoughts. I wanted to add some customers from work to my LinkedIn but I keep forgetting I deleted it. So far so good. Trying to understand what impact not having social media is having on my mood. That’s the point of this.
Day 7
Sitting here at lunch wondering what to do with my phone. I feel like I’m coming up with more clever thoughts I can’t share. I don’t remember a time when you couldn’t express yourself to a large group of people at one time. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I’m sitting in traffic so bad after the Hell Yeah! comedy show that I owed twice in a bottle in my car and I’m upset I can’t share that with the world.
Day 8
One full week in the books. I have gotten a lot more done but I’m still not happy with my phone usage. I’m still looking for ways to escape... Spent the day busy building a loft bed for my daughters birthday. It took over 6 hours without spending time on social media. I could’ve added an extra 30-60 mins!!!
Day 9
Kids birthday is tomorrow. She’s not on social media either.
Day 10
Today is Isabella’s birthday! Took some good pics that I don’t share on social media anyway but I was excited to send them to family. Also writing pretty witty captions to go with them. At Dave and Busters. This place is a ghost town. So many games are games that are on my phone. Candy crush. Angry birds. Temple run. No wonder no one is here. No Time Crisis!?!? That’s what you get after 10 days of not being able to complain about shit on Twitter. It comes out in the blog. Kid is having fun and that’s all that matters. Obviously I’m sitting here waiting for the food and can’t scroll so I have time to type these thoughts out. I owed you more after yesterday’s single thought.
Day 11
It does feel better not to have the anxiety of social media. It’s another thing that occupies space in my mind. My mind feels more free. There’s less pressure of staying up to date and taking in the energy other people are putting out. I’m not bombarded by constant influence. My brain is free from the pressures of what others want you to think and I am free to think about what my mind wants to. This is an area that does not convert right away. I feel like the constant checking of my phone could be a way for my mind to look for what to think about next. It’s programmed to be guided instead of roaming free. What is the timeline for your mind to go back to that way of thinking? How long does your brain need to reset from that way of thinking?
Day 12
It’s fascinating to see what people’s reaction is to me not being on social media. It always starts with confusion. Then curiosity kicks in and the question becomes why? Some people get it and some people question the manliness behind it. As a society I think we always view issues of mental health as a weakness. Something real men don’t need or talk about. We deal with it and move on. And I agree with that to a certain extent. There is a need for that type of thinking that helps push through the boundaries our minds place on us for example pushing through that extra mile on a run or that next rep lifting weights. But there is no need to suffer in silence. It’s why I’m talking about this more. Too many of us suffer in silence because we feel like it’s our duty as men to hold it in. That’s no bueno. Also, I really hate not being able to voice my displeasures with companies on twitter. Does it count as social media if you’re reading an article about what the president is saying on social media? I miss making fun of pictures and sharing memes. Another lesson I’m learning or relearning is to make moves in silence. I’m so excited about some of the things going on with my podcast that I want to share them in a post and talk more about it. I’m such a geek.
Day 13
Everyone’s in meetings at work. Except me. I feel left out. Is this social media boil over?
Day 14 ❤️ Happy Valentines day and happy birthday Dad
I just realized that I haven’t been taking any selfie‘s. Tragic. I’m feel like I’m kind of on cruise control. Like this is just the way it is. No social media. Why can I not apply this type of discipline to other aspects of my life? Fitness. Business. Personal. Why is this different from any of those other types of scenarios in which discipline is applied? not having access to socialize with a large group of people makes me more inclined to reach to family and friends.
Day 15
Really getting more work done without distractions from scrolling through social feeds. I rearranged some pages on my site, updated a lot of content, set up the podcast YouTube channel and more...
Day 16
I can’t get any sympathy for my strep throat in social media. I like sympathy which is probably why this is a good thing. Having to is blog has already proven useful for podcast material. Some great insights so far.
Day 17
Im home from work with strep throat. I’m working on the podcast and setting up the YouTube channel. I am getting a lot done because out of the 5 hours that I have been up so far, I’ve used 0 hours consuming social media. I have definitely wasted time doing other things but it’s not even close in comparison. I’m getting a lot of time back. Something else I’m noticing is the lore I create, the more I want to share it on social media. I am not sure if it has more to do with the gratification of people liking my content or the desire just for people to consume it. I want people to consume and provide feedback. I’ve never texted my friends more about what I’ve been doing. Is it a need for approval or just wanting people to know that I am doing things. Not sure what the drive for this desire is. It could be a vulnerability. 11 YouTube videos today. If you’re not impressed than just stop reading here. I won’t top this.
Day 18
Week 3 and I’m still randomly opening my phone to look for something I don’t need. I am looking for a distraction and I’m glad there isn’t any. What happens in March? Am I going back to my old ways or will I have a new relationship with social media? CREATE > CONSUME
Day 19 ❤️
16 years ago today I was sentenced to prison. 5 years after that on the very same day as I completed my debt to society, I met my María. Moral of the story, you might be down, but if you're breathing, you are still in the game!
Day 20
Today, when I find myself grabbing my
Phone to scroll, I’m not unlocking my phone. I’m just putting it down. Progress until the apps are back...The world is lonely or without social social media. When you’re alone, you’re actually alone.
Day 21
Almost down the home stretch. Floated the idea of adding an extra week to shut up the people that say I picked the shortest month. It just happened to be the month after the month I decided to do it. If I waited until March...who knows. The point is whether it’s an hour, day, weekend or whatever...it’s still extremely beneficial to “unplug”.
Day 22
Birthday party today at the same place it was last year which reminds me that last year, I remember this time being anxious at the party because I didn’t have the security blanket that aimlessly scrolling through your social feeds provides. I actually had to pay attention the whole time. Wife asked me what I missed most about not having social media - my answer was I miss expressing myself whenever I want. She said I should be writing more.
Day 23
Just finished watching a big heavyweight boxing fight and I miss sharing these moments with the world. I have this reoccurring thought of consuming less content on social media and creating more. I should start editing some podcast clips so I can find my pattern the same way I did with editing and uploading. I have my routine which is increasing my efficiency in putting a podcast out. Now I need to do the same for post production and distribution. One of the main feelings of “missing” social media is my ability to share my creativity with others at scale. My wife showed me a meme from the fight and it was hilarious. I miss memes.
Day 24
Not much to report other than it’s the home stretch. I did consider cheating because I was curious about certain people’s reactions to the fight but I let it go. Go me.
Day 25
Last Tuesday of the month which means when I get back on social media, I need to go hard on promotion. Not sure how much social media played a role in the show audience drop off but I will pay attention to see if there is any upward swing. I need to be committed to creating more than I consume. How can I measure that? I also have a show this Saturday that I can make money selling tickets but I haven’t been able to promote on social. No excuses because people used to sell tickets before social media.
Day 26
I think this format of writing for my blog can be effective. I would like to post more consistently on my website to have more content. I can keep daily notes of things I’m going through and then write them out for the blog once a week. More to consider to keep my social media consumption down. I can also unfollow everyone but that would be rude. I should still unfollow a lot.
Day 27
Create > Consume. I have an anxious energy today. I feel really good about some things I have going on and I just want to connect with other people and share that. I am very excited to get back on social and start molding a new relationship with all of the platforms.
Day 28
One more day and a wake up. I came close to cheating today. I had to look up a comics name online and their LinkedIn profile came up. I had to click on it to see their picture and verify it was them. I saw the notifications pop up through my peripheral but I avoided direct view as to not tempt myself further. I have to admit, I really considered cheating and just logging on because WHO WOULD KNOW!?! I would and I really want to keep the integrity of this challenge for myself. I struggle with discipline so the fact that I was able to stick to this 3 years in a row, makes me really proud. I can’t mess that up.
Day 29
It’s actually day 30 because I forgot to say anything yesterday. I had a show last night that I wish I had social media to promote. It was so much fun. I logged back in to all of the social media apps and to be honest, it’s kind of bittersweet. I enjoyed my time off social media and I really think I will have a different approach. Consume less and create more. Anyway, if you’ve read this far you’re probably bored AF or you might be thinking about doing the same thing. Go for it. I couldn’t suggest anything more than I suggest taking a break from all social media if you feel like you need one. If nothing more, you’ll like it more when you get back. The biggest thing I’m coming away with this year is just how much more room I had in my brain for myself and the things I wanted to do. I wasn’t bogged down by being involved in pointless debates, endless scrolling & observing other failed conversations. I just had room to think and it was nice & quiet in my brain.