What I learned from my social media detox

​One week off social media, how hard could that be?

Where I stayed in Cottonwood, AZ

When enrolled in a Yin/Restorative Yoga teacher training in Sedona, I was staying in a house tucked into nature away from any main roads or city life. The owner of the house was out of town & I was alone, away from roommates, family, friends, work, jobs, to-do-lists and distractions.

Every morning, I got up at 6am had some coffee, burned some sage grounded and centered for the day and then took the 20 min scenic drive into Sedona from the small town of Cottonwood I was staying in.

The first day of training, I entered the yoga studio surrounded by red rock mountains. Before the instructor introduced herself, she had us all go into a yin posture: Butterfly forward fold. I thought, what is this? The instructor isn’t going to introduce herself?

There was no talking, no introduction at this point, there was only a sense of calm. It was still, quiet, peaceful & relaxed.
​I let go of any expectation or attachments.
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The instructor then introduced herself and on the first day she introduced something called

“Noble Silence”

She said that not everything has to be expressed or communicated and some things are more potent that way.

This was an abstract concept as I always want to feel validated, heard, and supported.

Every morning we practiced noble silence, had a yoga practice and then broke the silence.

As I drove back to the empty house in Cottonwood I felt, if I wanted peace, clarity and freedom from distractions, I thought to myself

“ I must delete all social media off my phone as that would break this peace and stillness and clarity I am feeling”

.........................and so I did.

For the first 2-3 days I was checking my phone, looking for something to stimulate me, excite me, trigger those dopamine hits, but as the days progressed, the the urge and temptation subsided and that is when..........

​ I really started to tap in within.

I didn’t need the external stimuli of validation and praise and for me I was retreating and in a state of rest.

I listened to music, read books, walked barefoot, burned incense, made tea, hiked, everything was a meditation~
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What I realized was that my creative gifts flourished

I had more time to focus on my creative gifts and abilities without worrying what everyone else was doing.

I also slept better

My routine consisted of reading a book when I went to sleep and woke up without the need to check my phone or respond to everything. I was able to fall asleep easier and wake up earlier. There was a sense of calm, peace.

I became more present

I was able to self reflect without judgement, or criticism from others and their opinions. I was able to sit in silence.

I had more time

My days seemed longer and had more substance to them. I felt more fulfilled.

I was able to connect more with real people and have real more authentic & genuine interactions in person.

I met up with a friend, went for a hike and had a deep and meaningful connection.

I didn’t miss out on anything.

It’s been 6 days since I’ve been on social media and to be honest, I’m not in rush to get back on.

Being off social media, I don’t feel like I missed anything, and instead I was able to tap within.
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​My creative gifts flourished, I slept better, I became more present,
I gained time and was able to connect more with real people and have more authentic and genuine interactions.

So if you are thinking of taking a social media “retreat” I highly recommend it and to be honest, I will be doing it again very soon.