When I was a senior in high school, I deleted every social media app, except for SnapChat, I owned. It was an impulsive decision, but looking back, I've learned to have a healthier relationship with social media and technology. The first few days were boring. I would check my phone every few seconds, waiting for a notification, only to realize I had deleted my apps several days ago. I downloaded mindless games and soon got bored of those, too. Basically, the first week or so was filled with disappointed glances down at my phone only to realize nothing was there, nor will there ever.

As the days became weeks, and weeks became months, I saw myself using my phone way less, which is something I'm grateful for. I realized that my phone was more of a distraction than anything. It would stop me from completing homework or I'd use it to procrastinate from walking to the gym. Without social media, I found my productivity to be much higher and I was able to focus on assignments faster, rather than wondering what was happening in the online world.

I felt liberated from the chains of social media. I didn't want to know what was going on. I would shove my phone in my bookbag or purse and wouldn't bother to check it again for hours. After a couple of months, I finally redownloaded the majority of my social media apps. I've found myself trying to keep my phone time down since I've realized I don't need to know about the newest, most popular tweets or what my friends just posted about.

In today's world, we're so distracted by social media and we almost crave the attention. Since redownloading them, I try to set my phone aside while doing work or other activities that require my full attention. I even consider erasing them again for a week or so just to remember what it's like without social media and disconnect from my phone. I'd like to take more breaks from social media, especially since it can be toxic. By getting rid of it, my relationship and views of social media truly have changed, and I recommend you try to do the same.