Taking a break from social media is a great way to reconnect with the people and activities that motivate you. Before leaving your account, first understand why you're quitting. Determine the duration of the break, the social media that you want to leave, then make a schedule to reduce their use. To help you quit social media, turn off notifications or delete apps on your phone. Use the time that would normally be spent on social media to read, practice skills, and spend time with friends and family.
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Method 1 of 3: Log Out of Account
Step 1. Decide how long you want to take a break from social media
There are no rules regarding the duration of a break from social media. This is your own choice. You can stay away from social media for 24 hours or 30 days (or even more).
- Don't feel burdened by the allotted time period to stay away from social media. If you've met the set time duration, but want to continue, please continue.
- On the other hand, you can also shorten your time off from social media if you feel you've reached your goal at the expense of social media playtime.
Step 2. Choose your break time
The best time to take a break from social media is while on vacation with family. This will give you and your family a chance to spend time together instead of texting via social media.
- You may also need to take a break from social media if you want to turn all your attention to someone or something – for example, when you have to do homework from school.
- If you are tired of the bad news and political problems that pop up on social media. You can also take a break for a while. You can recognize the signs of this happening. For example, do you get annoyed when you view content on social media? Are you distracted by what you see and think about it all day? Are you having trouble focusing afterward? If so, you may need to take a break.
Step 3. Select the social media you want to leave
Taking a break from social media can mean abandoning all types of social media or just some of it. For example, you might want to stop using Facebook and Twitter, but keep playing Instagram.
- There are no definite rules for determining which social media to abandon. One way to select them is to think of reasons to stop using social media, then stop using social media based on those reasons.
- You can also log out of your existing social media accounts on your phone and computer. If you have to re-login every time you use social media, you'll be less likely to open those apps when you're bored or tired.
Step 4. Make a schedule to reduce your use of social media little by little
For example, if you want to take a break from social media from Christmas to New Year's, start cutting back on it before Christmas. You can start from a period of 10 days before the break. The reduction time depends on how often you use social media.
For example, if you use social media for two hours each day, reduce the time to 1.5 hours 10 days before a break. Then, seven days before the break, reduce it to an hour a day. Four days before the break, reduce the time of use again to 30 minutes a day
Step 5. Let friends and family know that you are taking a break
In the midst of a period of reducing your social media use, you may need to let your friends and social media followers know that you are taking a break. This will let people know why you didn't reply to their messages so they don't have to worry about it later. This will also help you avoid being tempted when you take your phone out of your pocket and start opening apps.
If you want, you can create a scheduled post to appear active during breaks. There are several third-party apps that allow you to create scheduled posts on Instagram, Facebook, and various other social media channels
Step 6. Remember why you decided to take a break
Without a good reason, you'll have a hard time staying away from social media. There are many reasons why you might want to take a break. You may want to spend more time with relatives and family. You may be tired of using it every day. Whatever the reason, you need to be able to explain it in detail to the people who ask – because they “definitely” ask it.
- You may need to make a list of reasons to remind yourself that you are taking a break from social media.
- It's also important to know why you want to take a break from social media to be stronger in resisting the temptation to open the app. At this point, you can remind yourself, "No, I won't be using social media for a certain amount of time because I want to spend time with my family."
Method 2 of 3: Disappearing from Social Media
Step 1. Deactivate your account
For example, if you usually access social media from your phone, delete the apps on it. If you're used to using social media on your computer, don't turn on your computer during your break. A simpler alternative is to turn off notifications on your phone so you won't be tempted to check them out.
If you turn off notifications, be sure to turn off notifications via email as well
Step 2. Delete your account
If you feel healthier, happier, and more productive without social media, you may need to permanently delete your social media account. This way, you can say goodbye to social media usage forever.
- The process for deleting an account is different for each social media app. Usually, this can be done quickly and easily, and can be accomplished by accessing the user settings options of your account (this option is usually called “Your Account”). From there, simply click “Delete My Account” (or something similar) and confirm your decision.
- Remember, if you want to start accessing social media again, you have to start from scratch.
Step 3. Look at the decision to take a break from social media from another perspective
It's easy to think that taking a break from social media is keeping you out of style. However, think of the time you spend without social media as a release from dependence on creating new content and engaging in social interactions. Instead of making posts on social media, you can now focus on enjoying everything you do, wherever you are.
Try to keep a small journal, then write down things that make you happier when you're not using social media
Step 4. Divert your attention from the difficult part
There will be periods when you miss social media. However, after a while – three days, five days, or a week, depending on the level of your addiction to social media – you will start to feel like you don't need social media. Strengthen yourself to get through this period until it really passes. There are several ways to avoid temptation and momentary depression. For example, you can:
- Watch movies with your friends.
- Continue reading by taking the book off the shelf.
- Find a new hobby, like repairing a bicycle or playing the guitar.
Step 5. Get to know the true nature of social media
On social media, there are many people who only post their best photos and very rarely – or perhaps none – show anything bad in their life. When you can see beyond this illusion of perfection, you'll feel it's fake and more skeptical about the app. The fakeness you feel will make you more determined to take a break from social media.
Step 6. Think before continuing to use social media
If you decide to return to using social media in the future, you may want to reconsider that decision. Make a list of pros and cons to help you figure out why you're back on social media.
- For example, pro social media reasons could be: “See what friends are doing”, “As a place to share good news and cool photos,” and “Talk to friends about interesting issues”. On the other hand, counter reasons could include “Frustrating with the current political situation”, “Wasting time checking accounts too often”, and “Too worried about posts being uploaded”.
- Compare the pros and cons to decide which option is the most profitable, then make a decision.
- You may want to limit yourself in a firm way if you decide to use social media again. For example, you should only play social media for 15 minutes a day and should be logged out of your account all day, outside of that time.
Method 3 of 3: Finding Social Media Substitute Activities
Step 1. Cultivate relationships with your friends outside of social media
Social media is not the only way to connect with other people. Instead of seeing their progress on social media, you can call or send messages via email and text messages. Ask them, “What have you been doing lately? How about we go have pizza?”
Step 2. Meet new people
Without the desire to always check social media, you will be more absorbed in the world around you. Start a conversation with the person sitting next to you on the bus. You can say something like “Beautiful weather, huh?”.
- You can also involve yourself in the community. Look for charitable organizations or nonprofits that offer volunteer vacancies. You can volunteer at your local soup kitchen, food bank, or housing organization (such as the organization Habitat for Humanity Indonesia).
- Visit local bars and join groups via the meetup.com website. This website helps connect people with similar interests, such as movies, books, and food. If you don't see a group you like, create your own!
Step 3. Read the newspaper
Social media is not only a good tool for communicating and watching other people's behavior. This application is also often used as the main tool to get news. However, without social media, you can still stay informed. For the latest news, read the newspaper, visit your favorite news website, or view the news leaflet from your local information center.
Step 4. Continue your reading
Most people have piles of books that "sometimes" will be read. When you take a break from social media, you can read these books. Sit in a comfortable chair with a cup of hot tea and the most interesting-looking book to read.
If you enjoy reading, but don't own books, head to the nearest library and check out some fun-looking titles
Step 5. Tidy up your home
Sweep, mop and clean all the dishes. Open the wardrobe and look for clothes that are not used. Bring the clothes to a charity to donate. Also look for books, film cassettes, and game kits that are rarely used. Sell these items through Tokopedia or eBay.
Step 6. Get your business done
Use time not spent on social media to reply to messages (via email or voicemail). Start working on a project at school or finish your homework. If you work from home, you can use your free time to find new clients or sources of income.
Step 7. Be grateful for what you have
Remember everything and everyone that makes you feel grateful. For example, make a list of friends and family who are always by your side in difficult times. Make a list of favorite items or places – your local library, for example, or your game collection. This will distract you from social media and make it easier for you to rest in peace.
