My 10 Day Fast From Social Media

On October 6th, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited the women of the church to hold a 10 day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative or impure thoughts to our minds. He also invited us to read and study prayerfully The Book of Mormon from then to the end of the year and to mark verses which mention or refer to Jesus Christ.

Doing these things at the same time has been working miracles in my life. Here are some of my results and experiences.

• At first, I was feeling a bit bored. Now what? And anybody who knows me well, would think it impossible that I could be bored (I lead a pretty busy life)… But, I just sort of felt this, “What do I do now?” feeling.
• But being bored was short lived. Because I had a whole 531 pages to read, and my mind had space to think about my goals and desires that do not involve SM (social media) directly.
• I considered the state of my household… not only my children, but my laundry room… my bathrooms, my state of heart…
• I noticed I became more SELF motivated to do the correct/right things. So... I thought to ask myself this question: Is the habitual use of SM, as an escape or a break, disempowering me? (Am I allowing it to rob me of more abundant SELF motivation?)
• Sharing frivolous things may be disrespecting people's time, and while sharing things of value could help many people, they could easily get scrolled over or lost in the sea of posts. Posts which are meant to edify and enlighten, need special consideration to really be appreciated to their potential. Maybe I could pray to know how best to share them before deciding.
• Feeling sadish, lonely, and sullen without my SM friends’ news feed/world. I'm binge eating as well... Withdrawals?

• I'm using time that I would have spent on SM to read scriptures and it seems to be working a ton better for me.
• I'm less distracted. I find myself more in tune.
• I met people today that I probably wouldn't have met, had I not purposely been off of SM…
• I'm recording more by hand and being more open with myself (not holding back my feelings like I normally would have to do on SM because I am writing to & for me).
• Is this detoxifying?

• I did really good on goals, 4 days into it but started getting frantic and looking for alternatives to turn to other than SM.
• My prayers are being answered. I am remembering more of what I pray for (which is actually one thing I've been praying for) AND SEEING the good coming from them.

• Random thoughts and desires are coming that I am wanting to share about my fast… on SM… during the fast… hmm. In other words, I have been thinking about how to make socializing a part of this. But, really... just to get... What? Am I just craving connection? Social interaction? Attention? Or is it that I want to share to help others change their belief and perspective on social media and do I need to share for them to do this? Who is my audience? Would they already know the important information that I want to share?
• Noticing that I'm socializing with my immediate family more - which is how it should be.
• Seeking out and preparing a better place for me to share what God wants me to share and what I feel in my heart, and still accomplish other goals simultaneously.
• Working on my goals more, again.
• Noticing my husband more and what he does for us; how he loves me. I think it's been very good for my marriage. I see our marriage getting healthier with more joy, hope, and respect.

• On the 8th day of the fast during a restful time on the Sabbath, I was noticing how my children were cooking and playing together calmly and delightedly. Through a time I might have normally been sliding through posts on social media, because of my abstinence, I was able to see my children during this beautiful time and feel the joy that is meant to be had as a mother of nine children!
• I don't want to get back on social media. (Really?)
• Noticing how many times lately I've been tempted to run away from my frustrations or stresses and happy to know I have other options. Noticing how much I feel like a responsible grown-up.

• I'm doing more chores, more apt to turn to the scriptures, prayer, exercise or help from a physical presence when things are getting hard.
• I've been doing more projects that I've been meaning to get to for a long time.

• I feel I should drastically reduce the amount of resources and time I put into or give to social media. Channel it. Focus it. Reduced notifications and groups.
• I should share my experience on a blog. Perhaps that will help me and others.  

After The Fast

Thoughts/feelings that came one week after breaking the fast:

• I'm seeing old patterns show up which I don't love. Even when getting on less than before.
• When I get on SM I'm not doing bad things. A lot of what I see, read and participate in has to do with life lessons learned, cute family moments, gospel, and business types of things.

However…

• Randomly checking in to the virtual seems to throw off my physical patterns just enough that I am not as effective as I could be without doing it. To be fully present physically and mentally when my physical and mental presence is truly needed (which is more often than I sometimes have judged it to be) is priceless, the ideal and it’s a challenge I am taking on! I want what I had during that 10 day fast always.

So… No social media anymore? Always read 6 pages a day of The Book of Mormon?

I’d like to pray before getting on. First to know if I really should be getting on SM at this time. And second, for strength to stick to the tasks which would be of most benefit at the time, so that I will return asap to the physical world in which I need to be mentally and physically present. I’m going to see what I can do to allow SM to add spice and flavor to my life and goals, rather than letting it wash them out or throw them off. For business and practical purposes, I will use it as the spirit directs (praying before), and stick with the tasks at hand. With a timer if needed, to keep me from losing track of my other righteous desires, responsibilities and goals for the day.

And I might just go ahead and keep reading this much of God’s word every day. So far, it has only brought more understanding, love and HUGE blessings!