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How To Live Life Offline Again

by — Last updated: 2022-01-24 in Healthy Living

Table of Contents

Has Facebook taken over your life — to the point that it's a real addiction? An internet addiction sucks you in slowly, like any other addiction. Here are the steps you can take if you want to overcome your problem.

A Facebook addiction, and an internet addiction in general, is fostered by boredom or escapism. You've got nothing else to do? Or you have lots of stressful obligations that are difficult to deal with and you'd rather put off? Facebook may seem to offer you a way out of whatever is bothering you.

 

The first step towards overcoming your addiction is to admit you have a problem. That's half the work. If you are committed, all the rest will be but a minor hurdle. 

Read More: Why Is Facebook Making You Unhappy?
The obvious way to prevent turning to your internet-accessible device is turning it off, putting it away, and either facing your obligations or finding something else to do.

Do you struggle with using Facebook too much while you are at home? Make a commitment to say “no” to computer time during your evenings and weekends. If you have a family at home, make sure you have something to do — something that makes your partner, kids, or parents happy:

  • Volunteer to cook every evening the first week you make this commitment.
  • Invite guests.
  • Arrange to go somewhere — take your partner out for dinner, to the movies, or whatever strikes your fancy.
  • Play board games with your kids, or go to the park.
  • Do chores.

If boredom makes you turn to Facebook while you're at home, find something else to do. Go to the gym for a work-out or go jogging or cycling. It's even better if you can buddy up with a friend so you can't make any excused. Everyone needs exercise, but if you are used to sitting in front of a computer all day, your body — especially your spine — is under particular strain.

Working out is a great distraction for anyone working to overcome an addiction, but build your routine up slowly if you're not already exercising regularly.

Finding a hobby is another option — anything that interests you. If you're going to sit around on the computer anyway (because you have to be on call for work, for instance), you might enjoy some of the many free courses Coursera is offering. Or take a cooking course, learn to knit, fix up old cars or furniture, or join a book club. Anything you enjoy doing that takes you away from Facebook is great. Resist the temptation to brag about your new activity through that same medium, though!

If you are a hard-core addict who does not find relief in new, interesting activities, you may need a tougher approach. Get someone to change your Facebook password for you, so you no longer have access to your own account. Or announce that you are taking a social media break publicly, so you'll be embarrassed if you post things anyway.

Get your other half, parents, or whoever lives with you to turn your wi-fi connection off during pre-determined hours, and get yourself a back-to-basics cellphone that doesn't give you internet access.

Many people do, of course, struggle with Facebook at work rather than at home. It might be tricky, but telling your co-workers that you have an issue will be the easiest way to stop Facebooking at work. Ask them to tell you off each time you go on Facebook. Or, volunteer for some task that simply won't give you time to access Facebook. 

Most importantly — take time to enjoy your life. Connect with people, in person and not on the internet.