I want you go onto CNN, Fox News, or whatever is your preferred news source, and I absolutely guarantee that the main headline is something critical and negative that shows only the flaws in humanity. If it isn’t, I would be completely shocked. Media outlets like news sources are constantly negative, because it sells. Due to this, they constantly feed this kind of information. Probably unknown to you, but this constant stream of negativity is affecting you mentally, physically, and your attitude towards life.
The news is not the only source of negative emotions that is damaging you. Social media such as Instagram and Snapchat is channeling emotions of FOMO (fear of missing out), envy, desire, and many others. This is not good for you or the fact that you are trying to personally develop. Because of this, I strongly urge you to take a break from social media and the news. This break will do absolute wonders for you.
Delete everything and take a break
I want you to go on your phone right now and delete every app that is related to social media or news sources. For example, I had Instagram, Snapchat, and Google News (I deleted them a little while ago). If you want, you can tell people on your social media accounts that you are taking a break, which should reduce the amount of potential messages that you will receive. If you do not think about the potential messages, then you will reduce the likelihood that you will succumb to FOMO and redownload whatever social media app. Do whatever you think is best, but just delete all of the related the apps.
Completely separate yourself from the world of instant knowledge of information that will not immediately affect you. I absolutely guarantee that you do not need to know about a tweet that a politician sent or how much trash is in our ocean or see how your friend is enjoying a fancy meal. Unless you are doing something about it right now, you do not even need to look at it. What is the point of getting annoyed or angry about something that you have absolutely no control over? Take control of what you can, which is to delete your news and social media apps.
My recommendation is to do it for at least a week. That is it. Just take a break for one week and I can guarantee that you will see positive results. You will notice that you are happier and less angry about the world. Also, you will stop thinking about how great other people lives are or more like how they appear to be great. While you are no longer being busy with other’s lives, you will notice how bored you are and how you will pick up your phone for no reason. This is because you have probably trained your brain to go searching for some form of entertainment on your phone when you are bored.
Now that you have taken that source out of your life, you will have more time to focus on more productive things such as reading a great book, working on that project that you have been putting off, practicing an instrument, exercising, or one of the millions of things to do. Take your break and take control of your life.
Do not let your phone control you
You are not meant to be a slave to your phone. You can accomplish great things. However, you need to take a break from social media and the news. The constant negativity and time wasting is damaging your mind, body, attitude, and is limiting your potential. Go completely cold turkey and take a break. Your life will change for the better and you will not be swept away in all of the nuances of the world.
