5 Signs You Need a Break from Social Media

1. You find yourself wanting more than you need and desiring material things you never desired before.

Before social media, we weren't exposed to what everyone had in their homes, what they wore daily and what activities they engaged in. Today, we get to look into the lives of others without having to leave our homes. Without taking notice, we begin to compare EVERYTHING and follow trends we otherwise wouldn't. If this is you, take a break, regroup, and consider who you are and what your needs are. Stop the "monkey see, monkey do" behavior and stop trying to keep up with the Joneses.

2. You take a lot of selfies.

There's nothing inherently wrong with taking a photo and wanting to record a moment or image of yourself but there comes a point where it's plain narcissism . I've been guilty of this too! If your social media is flooded with selfies, you should definitely examine your heart and wonder why you care for everyone on your social media to see your face so much (I know, I know..ouch). I know this is harsh, but it takes a wise person to have this level of awareness towards themselves. If this is you, take a break, examine your heart/intentions and come back strong with less selfies. Just because the world doesn't see you, doesn't mean you aren't important or beautiful. So, unless you make a living from your looks or you're trying to attract a mate (lol, it happens), stop.

3. You cannot enjoy an activity without recording it.

If you are always pulling your phone out to snap photos or videos of you and your friends/family having a great and/or miserable time, you may also need a break. Please don't misunderstand me, there are persons who record for their family memories or whatever and that's 100% understandable. I'm referring to persons who post every event in their life, including but not limited to, their lunch, their trip to the grocery store, their date with their partners, their trip to the gynecologist, the list goes on. I'm guilty of snapping random photos, and what not, but I am talking about habitual offenders who later become offended when others criticize them on social media for the way they do their groceries (insert eye roll emoji here). If you always feel the need to document for the purposes of sharing it on your social media, then you need a break. Try enjoying the moments in real time or just keeping those memories for yourself and those close to you. What's the point of people knowing what you're up to all the time?

4. You're super critical.

If you are always criticizing people on social media, even if it's just in your thoughts, STOP. You need a break. Now, I'm going to get biblical, Philippians 4: 8 says "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." I'm very guilty of this because truth be told, it's way too easy to criticize with all the craziness going on, nonetheless, I am not justified if this is all I do. The bible tells us to think on praiseworthy things, I don't believe God's desire for us is to constantly criticize with no intention of helping or exercising compassion. If this is you, you need a break to remember the level of compassion God had and continues to have on you when you are silly, blind and disobedient.

5. You care too much about what's going on in the lives of others.

In other words, you're mad nosy! I can be nosy when I want to be, I won't lie. I personally like to see what others post but I know I have to be careful not to be consumed by it because eventually it can affect me in negative ways. So, unless you're being paid to see what others are up to, take a break. Realize that keeping up with everyone serves no true purpose for you and thus deserves little to no time at all.

(insert shrug emoji here) Need I say more? Take a break, get to know yourself and more importantly your Creator, who knows you better than you know yourself. *J.Cole voice*

We're all guilty of one if not all of these at some point. This isn't about spending less time on social media to fulfill goals, make money, discover new hobbies, etc. (although those are all great alternatives); This list is for the sole purpose of bringing to the light how social media can and will affect you when you are mentally unguarded. The bible teaches us that we are in spiritual warfare, and sometimes this comes in the most subtle packages like social media. This is why we must be spiritually aware of how things are influencing us on a daily basis. I pray God will give you and I both discernment and strength to be above this influence so we can better honor Him and experience true abundant life.

- Luce