This is a hard post for me to write.

See I have a love/hate relationship with social media (as I'm sure 99% of people do!)

I love, love, love being connected to people. I'm verrry extroverted...so much, that not being around people above the age of 1.5 has been the hardest part of both of my maternity leaves. Honestly, I think that's why I have become so obsessed with social media...I feel lonely so I go to instagram to see what people are up to.

And don't get me wrong, I adore the community on instagram. I have encountered so many amazing people and have been inspired by so many people's lives. It's a beautiful mechanism to connect people.

But it's not so beautiful when it takes you away from what's in front of you...not to mention making yourself feel bad about yourself because you're comparing your life to someone's highlight reel (which is another post for another time!)

And that's exactly what I've been letting social media do the past few months...I've allowed it to take my attention away from my hubby, my children, my friends, my quiet time...my hubby has been noticing and calling me out on it. It's not ok.

So I decided to make some changes.

I polled people on my instagram (of course, using social media to combat social media lols) to find out what they're doing to protect themselves from letting social media take over their lives and you guys, they had the bessst advice.

So below I've summed up the advice I've been given along with what I've been doing to protect myself from letting social media take over.

TIPS ON NOT LETTING SOCIAL MEDIA TAKE OVER YOUR LIFE

Use the moments app to track how much you use social media.
I haven't done this yet because honestly, I'm a little frightened to do but I know it will give me a scary reality.
Have set times you use your phone for social media/set time you do not use your phone.
I think this one is brilliant! I haven't figured out making set times for social media BUT we've attempted to make no phones from 5-8pm. It's been hard but it's been really good for our family.
Take time off social media (a week, a day a week, whatever works for you.)
If you're finding social media causing you more harm than good, I highly recommend taking a long break to refocus and enjoy your life! I took a week off when I was in Mexico and it was very refreshing. I found my son benefitted from me being completely present with him.
When I got back, I found myself consumed again, so I have decided to take all of Sundays off instagram, so we'll see how that goes!
Plug your phone in another room overnight (or across the room if you need it for emergencies.)
James and I have been doing this for a few years now and it is so refreshing to not read a screen right before you go to sleep. We either chat or I read before bed and it has definitely helped us have better sleeps and be more connected.
Put your phone away at meal times and while hanging with friends/social events.
We've been doing this at meal times and it has only been good for our family. I've also been trying really hard to keep my phone in my pocket on when I'm hanging with friends. I know that is probably very normal for you but I have been such a bad friend in the past and have found myself scrolling...or in social situations when I don't know who to talk to.
Plug your phone in another room during the day.
When James goes back to work and I'm with the kids all day, I know this will be hard for me but so so good. I want to be a mom who isn't always on her phone.