Lent 2025: Fasting From Social Media

 One of my new years resolutions this year was to slow down.  I had a mild health "thing" in November and it's because I'm going too fast and doing too much.  I am part of the sandwich generation.  We not only have children to take care of but elderly family members too.  Sometimes it can seem overwhelming, but it's really up to me to make sure it all works, without taking a toll on my health.  I can do it.  I just need to be mindful of it.

Lent starts tomorrow, but one of the things that I'm "giving up" for Lent is social media/phone time.  It has become such a crutch for me.  It's my place to escape when I feel overwhelmed, bored, anxious, or just plain empty.  I'm not giving it up 100%.  I still need it for email, phone calls, texts, and news alerts (today is 60 degrees and feels like spring, but this is Ohio and I know the snow isn't over yet).

But my plan is to set time limits to it.

I will check it when I first get up, at noon, and in the evening at 6 or 7 o'clock depending on the kids activities that I have to go to and from.  I never have my ringer on anyway, so binging and chiming won't make me want to check it.  My Fitbit usually lets me know if I have a text or a call and I can gate keep through that.  My parents don't have texting and they only have Facebook Messenger so I may have to adjust things so that if I have the sound up on the phone, that is the only alert I will get.  

So what will I be spending all that free time doing instead of doom scrolling?

1. More prayer.  Every time I have an urge to check that phone, I will say a prayer.

2.  Cleaning and organizing.  I need to do this for my own sanity.  We actually still have a Christmas tree up in the basement.  Don't judge me.

3.  Reading.  I love reading, but I just don't have the time for it because my phone use is getting in the way.

4.  Writing.  Either journaling or on the this blog.  I love writing and I miss it so much.  I need to get back to doing what I want to do and stop letting that phone take up my precious time.

5.  Learning to just be still, enjoy whatever the moment is, and listen for God's voice.  

I have a few other things planned for Lent but they involve food and alms giving.  While difficult, I don't think they will be as life giving as the decrease in phone time.

I started reading Media Fasting: Six Weeks to Recharge in Christ so I'm hoping that it will help me get through these six weeks, but also help me to make this be a full time life change.