For sorority recruitment, Panhellenic Council makes all the sorority members on campus deactivate their social media for two weeks during spirit week and recruitment.
This year being my first year doing this, I was a little hesitant, but it honestly was one of the best things I have ever done.
I have always wanted to take a social media break, but I have never had the guts to do it. But when recruitment came around and I had to do it, I was glad that it happened. At first It was really tough. I kept checking my phone to go on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, but then I would remember that they weren't there.
After the first two days, I realized how dependent I really was on my phone. I was constantly checking for notifications and updates from my apps, but after those first two days I started to feel better about it. I wasn't so worried about my phone, and I was making more conversations with people. Also, I was getting back into my favorite hobby: reading.
By the end of the two weeks, I was really contemplating whether or not to re-download all my social media apps. I ended up doing it just because I was curious to see what people were up to while I was offline. Also, for sorority purposes I have to have Facebook.
But I am planning on taking another break soon because it felt so good to have a break from it.
By taking a social media break, I was able to stop comparing my life to others. I was able to focus on myself and my relationships with the people closest to me. I was able to live in the moment more in those two weeks than since I got my first iTouch in 5th grade. I was in such a good place because I didn't worry about what people thought, I didn't determine my decisions on how it will look on social media, and I stopped comparing myself and my life to others on social media.
So if you're thinking about taking a social media break, do it. It'll be hard at first but once you do it you will be so relieved. Having that break will help you have a level head and make you feel so much better about yourself.
