Social Media

• 1 min read •
life personal

On reducing my social media distractions

Embracing A Pause

Introduction

I’m sorry for my lack of posts. I’ll keep things brief, I’ve had a really really hard time after coming out, and trying to find a stable life.

I like how social media connects us when we are isolated, but I dont like how the technology constantly demands our attention, especially when you need more of your energy and focus for healing. I’ve put together a few quick hacks for creating some space between you, your iphone, and social media apps.

Creating Mindful Breaks with Shortcuts

I begin by introducing moments of pause. I use the Shortcuts app to create a sequence that reminds me to breathe for 60 seconds before opening apps like Instagram or Signal.

  1. Open Shortcuts App: Create a new shortcut.
  2. Set a Notification: Add a ‘Show Notification’ action for a breathing reminder.
  3. Pause: Insert a ‘Wait’ action for 60 seconds.
  4. Open the App: Add the ‘Open App’ action for your choice, and choose Instagram.
  5. Homescreen: Add the shortcut to your homescreen to replace Instagram.

Managing Usage with Screen Time

Next I set boundaries for my app usage with Screen Time.

  1. Enable Screen Time: Find it in your Settings.
  2. App Limits: Set daily limits for specific apps.
  3. Downtime: Schedule periods where only essential apps are available.

Organizing To Hide Apps

Finally, I organize my apps to hide them from my Home Screen.

  1. Create Folders: Drag one app onto another to create folders. Name them meaningfully.
  2. Move Apps to Different Home Screens: Drag apps to the edge of the screen to move them to another Home Screen.

Conclusion

I hope these tips help someone. I’m going to try to write and make more. Sending kindness to my reader. I hope you are well.