Episode 176: Breaking Free from Social Media

Spending time on social media can be a double-edged sword. This week Janine and Shannon discuss the how's and why's of Shannon's recent deactivation of her Facebook and Instagram accounts--and the relief she felt afterward.

Discussion topics include:

• How Shannon deactivated her Facebook and Instagram accounts four days before we recorded this episode

• Her reasons: Social media was sucking up time but she wasn't really gaining anything from it (it was a waste of her time!)

• The pressure Shannon felt to do social media properly

• The temptations she felt (but resisted) to get back on to Facebook temporarily after she deactivated

• How her ingrained habit of opening the social media apps on her phone became apparent

• The huge sense of relief that Shannon felt when she deactivated her accounts

• Taking a break from social media vs. deactivating accounts

• Shannon's plan: To go back on social media mindfully once she really wants to and has a clear purpose for doing it

• What a toxic environment social media can be

• How deactivating her accounts allows Shannon space to decide whether or not to go on it

• A little foray into a discussion of ice cream flavors from Salt & Straw in Portland

• The power of the deactivation--it relieves the pull of social media

• Janine's temptation  to follow in Shannon's footsteps and deactivate her accounts