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Muting My Notifications

Muting My Notifications

Posted on: Sunday 23 April 2017


March and the beginning of April were super busy months for me. I didn't have a free weekend for four weeks in a row, which is obviously GREAT because I did lots of fun things with some of my favourite people and just had a generally lovely month. However, I was slightly worried about being able to fit blogging and all things social media around that. So I made the amazing decision of having a social media break. I did it two weekends in a row and it was great. No Facebook, no Instagram, no Twitter. I was insanely relaxed, I was able to enjoy my time with family and friends without getting distracted thinking about what to post on Instagram that night and I did normal non-digital activities like reading and writing. I switched off completely, I didn't care that I wasn't checking Instagram every five minutes and I felt so zen.

It's something I'm definitely planning on doing more often because it was the best decision for my sanity. It made me realise how long its been since I've really switched off and just felt relaxed rather than thinking about everything I have to do. It made me realise that I exhaust myself by constantly being busy, not necessarily physically, but mentally. Having a social media break for some reason meant that I felt like I was having a break from everything else too.

Having a social media break made me realise how all consuming social media can be. The Instagram notifications that somehow make me feel the need to open the app each time one pops up, the Twitter feed I need to be constantly checking to stay on top of who's saying and doing what and even the Facebook notifications that are usually just telling me it's someone's birthday who I haven't spoken to in ten years, but still make me click. So I muted all of them. And it was the best thing I've done in a long time. I realise that makes it sound like I'm doing nothing worthwhile or interesting with my life if the best thing I've done in a long time is mute my notifications, but I mean the best thing for me, literally the best thing for my sanity.

I can now leave my phone for a good couple of hours without being tempted by notifications. I'm on social media less often (although I'm not pretending that I'm not still on Instagram a lot because I am), I'm able to switch off more easily and surprise surprise, my notifications are there waiting for me when I want to check. I would genuinely recommend muting social media notifications to anyone who sometimes feels a bit overwhelmed by it all or who feels like they need to cut down on their usage. Sitting down and checking Instagram and Twitter is now more of a relaxing enjoyable thing rather than something that I'm constantly doing on the go and whenever I get the chance.

Do you have your notifications muted?

Amy x

Comments

  1. This sounds like such a good idea, I feel like I'm surgically attached to my phone at the moment! It's not really healthy is it, and although social media is great in so many ways, it really can stop us focusing on/enjoying the best and most important things in life. So glad you've had a lovely month and it sounds like muting your notifications really helped with that! I've got a couple of busy weeks coming up next month and might have to take a leaf out of your book.
    Sophie xxx
    www.sopharsogood.com

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    1. I'd definitely recommend it! I'm usually surgically attached to mine so it really helped me take a step back and properly enjoy life! (sounds super dramatic but true haha) xx

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  2. I have my notifications muted too! I did it a while ago when I just found social media so terrible for my anxiety - I felt constantly obliged to check notifications and reply to people immediately which left me feeling stressed and overwhelmed! I feel a lot happier now that my notifications are off - I totally agree about the zen feeling, it's fab!

    Abbey 💕 www.abbeylouisarose.co.uk

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    1. I felt exactly the same, it's so much better having them muted isn't it! xx

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  3. I have social media notifications muted everywhere it stops me from constantly being on and checking the apps x

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    1. Yeah same, I check them in my own time when I get the chance now! xx

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  4. I don't mute my notifications, but to be fair I don't really get that many! I do try and leave me phone out of my reach sometimes so that I'm not tempted to keep checking it over and over. It is so easy to get sucked in!

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    1. Yeah even if I'm not getting notifications I'm sometimes quite bad for messing on my phone just scrolling through Instagram/Twitter! xx

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  5. I also switched off all my blogger social media notifications as I find that when I need a break or rest, it can make me more anxious.

    Steph xx

    Steph's World | Lifestyle Blog | www.stephsworld.com

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    1. Yeah, it can just get a bit overwhelming can't it! xx

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  6. Oh that sounds blissful! Definitely need to engage in something like that too soon, I'm feeling so drained out from social media lately.

    Love, kerstin
    http://www.missgetaway.com/

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    1. That's exactly how I was feeling and honestly it's helped so much! xx

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  7. What a great idea! There's no WiFi at my parents house in Italy and whenever I go there I'm instantly relaxed!
    Have a lovely day :)
    Rosanna x
    Rose's Rooftop

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    1. Ah that sounds lovely - even more perfect that it's in Italy! xx

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  8. I'm back from a break and feel refreshed! I agree it's such a great thing to do.

    Gemma x
    www.jacquardflower.uk

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    1. So glad you're feeling refreshed! It's really so good to take a break sometimes xx

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  9. I have my notifications on, but my engagement with social media has significantly decreased over the years, so I rarely receive notifications anyway unless it's Twitter since I use that for my blog! I quit Facebook, post on Instagram every few months, not too fussed with Snapchat, it's just not a priority of mine and I'm glad! :)

    www.lovefrommaira.co.uk

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    1. That's great! And yeah, no point in muting them if you only use Twitter. I don't use Snapchat, but muted Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and it's so good! xx

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  10. I've had my notifications muted for years, I don't have them on. It gets annoying with my phone constantly buzzing all the time, so I keep them off and only check when I need to. I find it hard to have a break from social media though as it impacts my work a lot since I'm a full time blogger, so I think it's good to find a healthy balance between them both. That's what works for me!

    Raindrops of Sapphire

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    1. Yeah it must be difficult as a full time blogger as I imagine you get more! It would be nice to have a day or at least half a day off a week though! xx

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  11. First of all, YES to muting notifications, this is honestly such a game changer! Also, beyond jealous of your social media free weekends, that sounds like the total dream to me. It's funny how you can enjoy it but it can be so toxic at the same time... sometimes I think we all need to take a step back!

    Elle
    www.theellenextdoor.com
    xx

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    1. Yeah it's odd isn't it - I love Instagram but there's something so therapeutic about stepping back for a while! xx

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  12. There was a report on the radio the other day about how damaging social media can be, and how it is the leading cause of depression in high school kids. It's frightening! I turned my insta notifications off and just check in a few times. It's made my life so much more peaceful!

    Holly x
    www.hollysbeautybox.co.uk

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    1. It really does make life so much more peaceful doesn't it! I can imagine it's so damaging for young people - I'm kind of glad it wasn't really around when I was younger! xx

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  13. I need to do this, feel like I'm struggling to keep up recently and really don't want to be neglecting loved ones but I know I am. Glad you feel better for it 😀 Will get my outstanding posts done and do the same.
    Jaz xoxo
    http://www.thelifeofasocialbutterfly.co.uk

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    1. Honestly I'd really recommend it especially if you feel like you aren't giving the people in your life enough of your time! xx

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  14. I have Instagram and Twitter notifications off, otherwise I would be on my phone all day! Lol. I wish I could go the whole hog with it and just switch on to airplane mode from time to time. I do have a ood book to read, so perhaps I shall try switching off on Sunday and read.
    Kate x
    themakeupartistschoice.com

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    1. Yeah I might do that if I've got a book I'm really into or something! xx

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  15. I wish I had your willpower! The only time I'm not on my phone is at work or when I'm asleep! I definitely want to start to use my phone less. Sundays would be a great day for me as I usually spend the day with my mum and dad and we either go out for a day or spend the day doing housework!

    Sian x
    http://theenglisheverygirl.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Yeah Sundays sound like a good plan! It's so nice honestly! xx

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  16. I used to have IG and Twitter notifications on for everything (likes, RT, tags, etc) and I found myself always gravitating my devices. Once I turned them off I actually spent less time online and more time in life! It is so refreshing :)

    Blessings,
    Edye | Http://gracefulcoffee.com

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    1. It really is so refreshing isn't it! I'm so glad I turned mine off! xx

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  17. amazing Amy! I don't have notifications on for any social media and to be honest I still check it so I may have to delete the apps altogether and just have half hour in the evening where I catch up.... not too sure I am mentally prepared for that type of torture though haha xxxxxx

    lucylovesbeautyxo.com

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    1. It's great isn't it, not sure if I would delete them though! Xx

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  18. I've seen a few people taking social media and I can totally see the benefits! I think it is too easy to get immersed in social media and forget how unimportant it is in the grand scheme of things!

    Great post :)

    Love Izzy | http://www.ADoseOfChatter.com

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    1. It has so many benefits, so nice to just step back for a day! Xx

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  19. This is a greaat idea although I just dont think I could bring myself to mute them - too much fomo


    www.georginadoes.co.uk

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    1. Aw haha, I get more FOMO when I am hooked to them! xx

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  20. A social media mute sounds amazing, i need to do it more often xx

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    1. I haven't had one in a while now, definitely overdue! xx

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