5 Ways to Reset Your Relationship With Social Media

5 simple strategies I'm trying

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Social media is a real mixed bag. I’ve had great success leveraging Instagram as a tool to grow my business, market my books, and connect with the the most amazing people from across the globe. I met most of the experts I featured in Organized Living through social media. I’ve also found myself bleary eyed and drained from aimlessly scrolling, comparing myself to others, or contemplating if I should order a quick dry hair towel or a miracle facial ice roller (the answer is no).

If you’re looking to reset your relationship with social media, here are five actionable strategies that can help you take control.

1. Set Screen Time Limits

Consider using built-in app timers, or tools like "Screen Time" on iPhones or "Digital Wellbeing" on Android devices, to limit your usage. Start by setting a daily cap—maybe 30 minutes max per platform—and see how much more time you gain for meaningful, offline activities and connections. If you’re like me and lack the internal self control to set and keep social media boundaries, seek the support of a digital native (I asked my 15 year old) to set the limits and hide the password. It takes a village!

Ask yourself: how many minutes per day do I want to spend on X platform?

2. Be a Ruthless Editor

I decided a few years ago that social media felt like a major time suck and distraction for me. I kept my Instagram, which has been a very successful business tool for me, and deleted the rest. Now I only have one place to engage, connect, and reply to messages aside from this newsletter and a somewhat neglected LinkedIn account which doesn’t cause me any stress. Freedom!

Ask yourself - which platforms are adding value to my life and which are merely a draining form of distraction? Be ruthless and delete any platforms that don’t make your life better.

3. Curate Your Feed

Social media can quickly turn into an endless scroll of negativity if you aren’t intentional about what you consume. Try going on an unfollowing spree! Take a few minutes to unfollow or mute accounts that drain your energy or make you feel inadequate. Instead, fill your feed with inspiring, uplifting content from people and creators that align with your current goals and values.

Ask yourself: what kind of content do I want to consume and from who?

4. Schedule Social Media Detox Days

Try designating one day each week as a "detox" day, where you unplug and avoid all social media. These breaks can serve as an essential reset for your mental health and overall well-being, and an opportunity to spend more time reconnecting with the things and people you love most. It might help to jot down a list of scrolling substitutes like reading, writing, hiking, or gathering with friends.

Ask yourself: what kind of digital detox feels realistic and useful for my mental health? How often do I want to commit to social media detox days?

*Resource: Check out my favorite books on this topic: 24/6 and Digital Minimalism

5. Prioritize Purposeful Use

Social media is most fulfilling when used with intention. Before logging in, ask yourself: Why am I even opening this app? Is it to connect with friends, be inspired, share something meaningful, or is it just force of habit or boredom? By setting a clear purpose each time you log on, you’re more likely to avoid mindless scrolling and make your experience far more meaningful.

Ask yourself: what am I here to do? How long do I want to spend doing it? Be specific.

Question: Have you found ways of improving your relationship with social media? Would love to hear any of your tips or strategies in the chat!

Design Crush! I was so thrilled to work with designer

@oliviajoffrey

 on my Substack design refresh, and can’t wait to dig into her brand new California-inspired Substack Beachtown Bohemia. Check it out here, and don’t miss her new print shop - this one is my absolute favorite and I plan to hang it between my girls’ rooms in the hallway.

The Holy Grail of Lipstick: Brace yourself because this is a major splurge for lipstick at $48, but I truly feel that I’ve found the perfect everyday all-in-one lip color and hydrator. I ordered in Light Mauve which is a universally flattering neutral pink, and also have my eye on Darling Pink. Quite obsessed. Stays on all day. Compliments from strangers! Check them out here.

Custom Dry Erase Boards: Guess what, I plan meals now! I can’t explain why, but this very minimal fridge planner has made it easy (maybe even fun?) for me to efficiently map out dinners for the week. Full disclosure: Jordan cooks all the meals and when it’s my night I panic and order takeout. Use code SHIRA10 to save 10%.

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