I hadn’t “given up” anything for Lent in years, but when my pastor asked on Ash Wednesday, “What’s keeping you from growing in your relationship with God?” I knew social media was my answer.
Now that Lent is over and Easter has come and gone, I’m back on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, this time, I hope, a wiser, more discerning user. I can tell you straight up: the fast made a difference. I spend a lot less time on social media than I used to, and I’m much less inclined to pick up my phone when I have a few minutes of downtime.
Here are five things I learned from my fast.
Social media can be addicting.
I’d read the scientific research about the connection between social media and the release of the feel-good brain chemical dopamine, but I’d always assumed I was somehow immune…until, that is, I gave up social media and found myself picking up my phone two dozen times a day. It was almost like I’d trained my brain and my body to need to have my phone in my hand.
I was surprised by how long it took to break the addiction; more than two weeks passed before the urge to reach for my phone finally began to diminish.
Social media is distracting.
Turns out, there was a pattern to my social media habits. I typically scrolled Facebook or Twitter and then, when I glimpsed a headline that piqued my interest, I clicked over to the site. I rarely read an article from start to finish, but instead quickly skimmed the content before clicking over to something else, repeating this process a half-dozen times before finally clicking off the Internet altogether.
The cycle left me feeling fragmented, rushed, distracted, and vaguely anxious. Stepping away from social media allowed me to identify this pattern and see the harm it was causing my mental and spiritual well-being.
Social media impacts our ability to think critically.
My social media fast helped me see that my critical thinking skills had grown rusty. Instead of forming an educated opinion of my own, more often I simply regurgitated the opinions and arguments of others. Away from Facebook and Twitter, I was better able to ask myself, “What do YOU think about that?” and figure out my own answer.
Social media blunts our sensory perception.
Two days after Ash Wednesday I sat in my front yard, eyes closed, faced tipped toward the early spring sun, and listened to the birds. The longer I listened, the better I was able to identify distinct calls from the cacophony of chirps and cackles. I realized then that it had been a long time since I’d heard the birds. Without my nose in an app, I was more present to the nuanced beauty of God’s creation.
Social media is not the spawn of Satan.
I missed my long-distance friends during my six-week fast, the people with whom I’ve formed real relationships across the cyber waves. I missed the random pictures of sunsets and beach vacations and birthday celebrations. I missed the conversations, the curious musings, the bits of goodness scattered here and there.
My fast helped me see where my social media habits cross the line into unhealthy behavior, but it also reminded me that I needn’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.
Although it was challenging for the first few weeks, my Lenten social media fast turned out to be an enlightening and fruitful experience. And while I’m mostly glad to be back in the world of hashtags and emoji, I have a clearer understanding of why it’s better for my spiritual and mental health if social media is enjoyed in moderation.
An edited version of this post was first published in the April 29 edition of the Lincoln Journal Star.
Michelle,
I’m relatively new to SM, only “do” FB, and only last March bought an Android. As you know, I was headed to Iona, Scotland, and my husband felt it would be important for me to be able to connect back home on Viber, and also to snap a few digital memories. I surely appreciated being able to chat w/ my “beloveds,” especially when I felt a bit unnerved while traveling. But, unlike many of you—my at-first-online friends, next in-person friends, and now my friends of the heart—I have not succumbed to SM possibilities on my phone because, frankly, the thing drives me nuts. I don’t know what the heck I do, but somehow, at just the slightest touch, I end up lost in space, with no idea how to get back. So thus far, I’m using my phone only minimally. And then I found this book, and I would highly recommend it. I started reading it yesterday, and it’s a great warning to me of how not to go overboard on my new phone or w/ any SM. It’s called 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke (a 2017 release), with a glowing foreward by pastor/author Dr. John Piper. From his endorsement and others, and from what I’ve already read, I know it’s an important work. Reinke doesn’t throw out the phone with the bathwater either, but his warnings and research are impressive. And I love that he brings a theological approach as well. I will tell you this: I never cared to get on FB. I only finally succumbed because many author friends felt I was missing out on their conversations and that it would be important for me to establish some kind of web presence if I write professionally again. Ironically, I haven’t ended up connecting with them all that much, though, like you, I’ve made wonderful friends generally, reconnected with “lost” friends from times past, and also family who live out of state. There have been many blessings. But oh my, can FB be a horrendous time waster. Last night when I was exhausted after having been at the hospital much of the day, rather than just go to bed, I got on FB and spent 45 min on vapidity. I was really surprised when I looked at the clock. I am often reading FB dribble that, were it written in a book, I’d demand a refund. What am I doing?! Books like Reinke’s and posts like yours are bringing me to my senses. Thank you!!! So as with many things in life, we need to be wise stewards and use technology to work for and not against us and to glorify God and to advance His Kingdom. This is a great post and I hope others will learn from your wisdom!!
Love
Lynn
Great thoughts here, Lynn (as always!), and thanks for the book recommendation – I will definitely check that out!
I think you’ll like it. Again, I can only yet recommend the first couple of chapters, but I think it will be great! Now you will have to write an essay about how booklovers can read too many books! oh my! I tried that fast one Lent, and boy was it hard, and yet rewarding. Love you!
I, too, took a social media break for Lent. I’ve done it a few years, but this year it seemed most impactful for me. I completely understood your thoughts on distraction and critical thinking. Because I was not distracted, I was able to think more on my morning devotions/bible study/prayer throughout the day. My husband and I are in a season of life where we’re considering what our futures hold for work and expanding family and it was very helpful to give myself more time to process and really think without the distraction of social media.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Yes, exactly – I hadn’t realized how distracted I really was until I took a big step away…then my lack of concentration and my urge to pick up the phone really was quite obvious.
Thinking of you and your husband as you discern this season of your life, Jen. 🙂
I’m so, so glad I fasted from Facebook during Lent. It really broke me of the habit of going to it the moment I felt “bored.” Yes, I agree, that I missed the same things as you, Michelle, but am so relieved not to feel chained to the social feed.
Blessings!
I felt a kindred bond with you knowing you were on the social media fast during Lent, too, Martha. It definitely broke me of the habit – I just hope it sticks!
This was my first attempt at giving up social media for Lent. I stayed on email, as I have people that still need contact that way. It was a good thing to do, it took me a while to get used to not going on to read emails and then flip over to FB, my only form. I had some good letters from friends who came over with me for the time and it took us back about 20 years. It made us wonder what we thot we had to say on such a continual basis, but it took a few days to put proper letters together, like teenagers we seemed to be reporting our every move. Two weeks later I’m still gettiing used to the negativity and familiarity that goes on on FB, maybe I don’t want to.
Meg
I hate it now when friends and family eat out they are all looking at their phones OR if a text comes in it stops all conversation. Good for you for what you learned and the boundaries you are implementing. I agree that is is addicting and to be honest, I am addicted. The lesson of yours that surprised me the most was how social media affects critical thinking. mmmm, never thought of that before but then again, my phone was chirping. LOL
Michelle:
I am still weighing in on whether to join Facebook – mostly for book promotion reasons – but also to keep in touch with my son who travels a lot. I still don’t have a cellphone – as I have been partially employed over the last 5 years. I used to bring the cellphone from work home when I was the middle mgr. on call for the weekend at the nursing home – staff didn’t use it to call when it was most necessary.
If you or any of your readers are interested – this CBC comedy show – The Debaters, first debates – Inside vs. Outside; then “should you delete your Facebook account” – great debates for seeing both sides of issues in a humoress way. (I think the deleters won)
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thedebaters/indoors-vs-outdoors-delete-facebook-1.3868026