There’s no denying that social media has become a large part of the average millennial’s life. We live in a world filled with likes, captions, and filters. Because of this, we can become glued to social media as if it were a commodity.

That’s why I gave up Snapchat for Lent.

I would describe myself as an average Snapchat user. While I have about 50 contacts, I only Snapchat about five of them on a daily basis. I post stories every so often, but go through others' all the time. I never considered myself addicted or dependent on Snapchat, so I figured 40 days without it wouldn't be so bad.

Little did I know when I turned off my notifications that I would be learning a lot.

Stage 1: Fighting the Habit

I quickly learned how much more I use Snapchat that I originally thought. It was weird adjusting to its absence, as strange as that sounds. Whenever I checked my other social media accounts, it felt incomplete without opening Snapchat. Throughout the first week, I constantly reached for my phone whenever I came across a Snapchat-able moment. Learning that my social media habits had become an instinct was an interesting realization.

Stage 2: Experiencing FOMO

FOMO, or the fear of missing out, hit home after two weeks. While I had finally gotten use to its absence, I was starting to miss Snapchat's capabilities. I missed seeing pictures and videos of my sisters back home or my friends at different schools. While Snapchat might not be a commodity, it definitely gives us a unique way of keeping in touch with others.

Stage 3: Finding Alternatives

Once I got past the regret of not having Snapchat, I began to realize that there's more to socialization that a five-second, disappearing picture. I started calling and texting people more. I discovered that hearing about their lives without having seen them on my phone was more enjoyable. I became more conscious of my phone habits when I was with other people. And I also enjoyed taking in moments without feeling the need to snap a picture of it.

Stage 4: Coming Back

On the first day of Lent, I could not wait to re-open Snapchat. But once that day finally came, I wasn't as excited as I thought. I opened all the Snapchats I had missed and watched the latest stories, but I didn't feel any satisfaction being back on. It was like stepping back into a world I didn't miss. That's how I knew it had worked.

I am really glad I gave up Snapchat for Lent. It allowed me to take a step back and observe the many ways we communicate. Social media is unique in that it allows us to communicate in different ways. But it is also good to log off and communicate traditionally once in a while.