Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

 

I’ve seen a few friends take time off from Facebook and social media before, but I haven’t thought much more about doing it myself until this weekend.

Watching the biannual worldwide conference through my church, one of the church leaders issued several challenges for improving our lives — one of which was to take a break from social media for 10 days.

I knew before I even committed to trying it that I was going to see benefits from it. As I’m writing this column, I’m preparing myself mentally to begin my social media break in the morning. I am excited, but a little nervous, afraid that I’m going to feel like an addict after only a few hours away — wanting to return back for more.

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted earlier this year, about 68 percent of U.S. adults are Facebook users.

The survey found 74 percent of Facebook users say they visit the site daily, with around 51 percent saying they do several times a day.

I’ll be the first to admit that I know there are more productive things I could be doing sometimes when I’m on Facebook. I tell myself I’m only going to be on there for a minute to check something out, when the next thing I know, 30 minutes have passed and I’m still scrolling through my newsfeed. Some of the posts on the feed are important, showing friends or family, but I’d say at least half isn’t, showing advertisements, random online articles and other time-wasting videos that somehow creep on to my page — not to mention, all of the political posts these last few months that I would rather not deal with.

Research suggests taking some time away from technology can allow the brain to recharge, and — speaking for myself — I could definitely use an occasional recharge.

I’m looking forward to seeing how different these 10 simple days will be — if I’ll find more time to complete home projects I’ve been pushing off, if I’ll be more focused on my work and if I’ll actually have time to pick up a book. I’m interested to see how it will affect my life with family and friends, and I’m curious to see how it will help me clear my thoughts and help me better focus on what’s important in life.

I know I can’t completely avoid social media altogether forever because of the nature of my job, but I definitely don’t mind reminding myself to scale back.

So here it goes! Feel free to join me if you feel inclined, and I’ll check back in with you after 10 days is complete. If you need to reach me in the meantime, I will still be available via phone, email or text message.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Tuesday.