I didn’t think I could do it.
As a mom and a content creator, social media is pretty much stitched into my daily routine. The scroll before bed. The “quick check” in between folding laundry. The updates, the comments, the DMs. Honestly, it sometimes feels like I live in two worlds, the mom world, and the one where I’m curating a story for my followers.
But last week, I made a bold choice: one full week without social media (granted, I had no wifi lol). No posting. No scrolling. No late-night rabbit holes. Just me, my family, and… well, reality.
And you know what? It was both harder and more freeing than I expected. So, let me tell you how it went so you can try it this fall.
The Wake Up Call
Ok, so on the first day, I caught myself reaching for my phone out of pure habit. My fingers knew exactly where Instagram was, like muscle memory. It felt strange not to check what everyone else was doing, or to capture the “perfect shot” of my morning whether it was my workout routine, having breakfast, etc.. Also, it’s part of my routine to engage with other creators and support their work. The worse part is that the wifi I had I was able to receive notifications, but couldn’t see them or respond to them. Talk about a nightmare.
But by day three, I noticed something: I was actually enjoying this.
That’s when I realized how much of my time and energy social media quietly consumes, and how much joy I had been missing in the in-between moments.
The Beauty of Social Media (Yes, There’s Plenty!)
Now don’t get me wrong, social media is not the enemy.
As a mom entrepreneur, social media has been a lifeline, and it’s helped me in so many ways such as:
- Connect with other mom creators;
- Share my ideas, services, and content with people I’d never meet otherwise;
- Build a community, brand, and even income streams, all from my phone.
It’s a powerful tool that can create businesses which is why it’s so important to detox once in a while and find the balance to use it to your advantage. Fall is the perfect time to start, especially with all of the holidays coming up.
Why a Social Media Detox Matters
There are days when social media feels toxic. The comparison trap. The endless noise. The pressure to always show up, post, and perform.
That’s why giving yourself permission to step back isn’t just healthy, it’s necessary. Social media should add to your life, not drain it. And when you feel that drain, it’s a sign to pause. Don’t come at me, I said pause, not completely remove it unless you really want to, at the end of the day, this is up to you.
Because here’s the truth: we don’t just live in a virtual reality. We also live in a very real one, now that school has started we have all of those parenting duties to handle, meals to cook, and listening to “soda pop” for the 17th time (if you know, you know).
7 Things To Do Instead of Scrolling
If you’ve been craving your own social media detox, here are a few things you can do to fill that space with something more valuable:
- Journal your thoughts – Write down the things you normally might post. It’s surprising how therapeutic it feels.
- Get moving – Take a walk, dance in the living room, or try a quick workout. Movement clears the mental clutter. I know it sounds corny, but trust me, it feels amazing.
- Deepen family time – Play board games, bake cookies, or just snuggle on the couch and catch up on movies without checking notifications.
- Read (or re-read!) a book – Let your mind wander somewhere new. This is where I thrive and get inspiration for upcoming projects, posts or blogs.
- Declutter one space – Tidy up that drawer or shelf you’ve been ignoring. Instant dopamine hit.
- Call a friend – Old-school connection still beats double-tapping a photo.
- Practice stillness – Meditation, prayer, or simply sitting in silence helps you hear your own thoughts again.
Final Thoughts
That week without social media? It reminded me that I’m more than just a mom online. I’m a mom here and now.
Yes, social media is a powerful tool, and as creators, it opens doors we could never imagine. But every now and then, stepping back from the screen lets us recharge, reconnect, and remember that the best stories are happening in our real lives.
So, if you’ve been feeling the weight of the scroll… maybe it’s your turn to unplug for a while. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find when you look up.
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