What I Noticed When I Stepped Away from Social Media
I didn’t expect the first few days of the social media fast to feel uncomfortable.
Not in a dramatic, withdrawal kind of way but in a quiet, end-of-the-day kind of way.
I’m not someone who scrolls much during the day. But in the evenings, once the house settled and the kids were in bed, I had a habit. I’d sit down and scroll for thirty minutes…sometimes longer. It was how I ended my day.
So when that rhythm disappeared, I found myself sitting there thinking, Okay… now what?
And that question surprised me.
Because what I realized pretty quickly was this:
I wasn’t losing free time.
I was reclaiming it.
Suddenly, there was space. Space to read. To journal. To take a bath. To go to bed early. To sit in quiet. At first it felt strange - almost awkward and then it felt freeing.
It made me aware of how easily habits form, not because they’re bad or harmful, but because they’re familiar.
And sometimes the discomfort we feel isn’t about giving something up - it’s about interrupting what we’ve always done.
The Quiet Weight I Didn’t Know I Was Carrying
Another thing I noticed was how quiet my mind became.
I hadn’t realized how often scrolling gently nudged me toward comparison - my home, my clothes, our travel, how I was mothering.
Nothing loud or obvious. Just a low hum of shoulds running in the background.
When I stepped away, that noise faded.
I wasn’t thinking about what needed to be upgraded or fixed. I wasn’t wondering what we should be doing differently. I was simply present in my own life.
That surprised me.
Comparison doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers. And you don’t realize how much space it’s been taking up until it goes quiet.
A Lighter Mind and More Presence
The biggest shift wasn’t productivity.
It was lightness.
My brain felt less crowded. Less pulled in a dozen directions. Even though my schedule didn’t change, it felt like I had more space in my day - more presence for the moment I was actually living.
Nothing new was added. One habit paused, and space appeared.
It reminded me how much mental clutter we carry without noticing - open tabs running quietly in the background.
Sometimes the relief we’re craving isn’t about doing more.
It’s about carrying less.
Staying Present During a Hard Week
That same week also happened to be a hard one for my family.
Normally, moments like that invite distraction. A quick scroll. A way to numb or escape for a few minutes. But without social media in the mix, I noticed something different.
I stayed present.
I reached out to real friends for prayer. I rested. I napped. I ate real meals. I prayed.
Instead of avoiding what was happening, I tended to my life.
It wasn’t easy but it was nourishing.
Sometimes distraction keeps us from feeling pain.
And sometimes it keeps us from receiving the care and support we actually need.
Space to Be With God
The intention behind the fast was always to spend more time with God.
What surprised me wasn’t whether that happened but how freely it did.
Without notifications or the pull to check just one more thing, there was nothing competing for my attention.
I journaled more. I prayed more. I lingered in scripture longer - not because I was trying harder, but because there was room.
It felt unhurried. Unforced. Like a relationship with space to breathe.
Sometimes we don’t need better intentions.
We need fewer interruptions.
A Simple Next Step
If any of this resonates - if you’ve felt that quiet pull toward more space, more presence, or a softer rhythm - I share more reflections like this on Substack.
That’s also where I shared the 5-Day Social Media Fast, with gentle daily encouragement, scripture, and simple ideas for what to do instead of scrolling.
You can find it there whenever you’re ready.
No pressure.
No perfection.
Just space to notice what might be stirring.
Melina is the founder of Melina Kane Coaching, a certified Christian Life Coach in Texas (servicing Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, and Pflugerville). She loves helping Christian women anchor their homes, hearts, and habits in God’s design for their life. She’s an Enneagram 2 + recovering perfectionist who’s never met a stranger, so come say Hi! on Instagram @melinakanecoaching.
