Unplugging to Heal: My Journey Away from Social Media for Emotional Recovery

Social media has become an integral part of our lives in today's digital age. It's a platform where we connect with friends, share our experiences, and stay updated with the world. However, there are times when this constant connectivity can become overwhelming, especially when dealing with emotional injuries.

This is my story of how I disconnected from social media to heal from an emotional wound and why it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

The Emotional Wound

A few days ago, I found myself grappling with a significant emotional injury inflicted via social media by someone I know. An unexpected emotional injury that left me feeling confused, raw, saddened, and vulnerable. While I could go into further details about the injury, I will not because the "who" and "what" they said are no longer critical. How I processed the experience and moved forward is.

The Decision to Disconnect

I decided to take a short break from social media because I was instantly depleted and had nothing to give anyone else after experiencing the emotional injury. I needed to reserve my energy for that self-care I often post about. It was a tough decision, considering how much I enjoyed building my new community, The Grief Club. But I knew it was necessary for my emotional well-being. I stopped checking my accounts and looking for frequent updates; I declined and postponed text messages and phone calls and embarked on an intentional multi-day journey of self-healing.

The Healing Process

Sometimes, when we get the wind knocked out of us, most of us keep on going, not knowing if we'll ever catch our breath again—often becoming emotionally bruised again. In some communities, it's expected that you exist with the wound and put off the healing for a more convenient time.

Not me, not this time. I was not going to just put a small bandaid on a stab wound to the heart. Mainly because I'd done that for years -- and I had decided that it stops TODAY.

The first day was the hardest, as my emotions were still raw. I disconnected from all social media. A complete social media DETOX. I cried I reflected; I took a hard look at myself; I connected the dots on a few things from my past; I did a lot of overthinking, I severed lingering familial ties for good, I journaled, and envisioned the life I deserved away from toxic people and toxic family members. Here's a great article on Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members.

When people are committed to misunderstanding you, they will believe the most damaging thing their mind will tell them because they are operating out of a place of insecurity and inferiority.

I felt safe and protected being cut off from social media.

As days passed by, I noticed a shift. I had more time for myself, for introspection and healing. I started reading more, sitting in the sun, taking walks, seeing the many colors of fallen leaves, completing unfinished business, spending time with people who love me unconditionally, and planning for the future.

I intentionally was present, accepted my new normal and those who would move forward alongside me on my life's journey. I even deliberately selected and ate food to heal emotional wounds. Learn more about eating to heal emotional wounds.

I was able to sit with my emotional injury, process it, and gradually begin healing from it. Every day, I felt myself getting better and feeling emotionally stronger. The healing is similar to seeing the progress of a scab forming over a skin injury.

The Impact

Disconnecting from social media allowed me to focus on my emotional health without distractions or comparisons. Most people don't stop to do this.

Hopefully, after reading this blog, you will treat your emotions much better.

It wasn't social media that caused the injury, but rather the person on the other end of their mobile device.

However, I was no longer bombarded with other people's lives and points of view; instead, I could appreciate my journey, with all its ups and downs. I learned to be patient and give myself the time and space to heal. This was not a time to be hasty and post about my pain on social media. Rarely do social media followers fully understand the context of what you're going through, nor do they care. Therefore, I share the opposite -- the lessons learned. I use my experiences to help others grow, learn, reflect, understand, and move forward. A selfless educator.

Reconnecting with the Real World

During this period, I reconnected with the world around me. I spent more time with my loved ones, engaged in meaningful conversations, and enjoyed simple pleasures like gazing at a random duck in a pond with my grandson, laughing with my son and daughter over the phone, and drinking a cheap bottle of champagne that my wife and I genuinely enjoy! I also enjoyed organizing the donations collected through The Heart of Miss Bee, Inc. and Murphy's Autobody Shop Thanksgiving food drive.

I realized that while social media has benefits, it's no substitute for real-world connections, experiences, and authentic love.

The Takeaway

My journey of disconnecting from social media to heal from an emotional wound was enlightening. It taught me the importance of prioritizing my mental and emotional health. It made me realize that it's okay to step back and disconnect from the digital world when necessary.

In conclusion, don't hesitate to take a break when needed. Be intentional with your emotional healing. Remember, it's okay to prioritize your emotional well-being over staying constantly connected online. It can wait. They can wait.

After all, true healing comes from within, and sometimes, disconnecting (from toxic people, toxic families, and social media) is the first step toward it.

Healed Girl. Whole Girl. Healthy Girl.

Kinyatta E. Gray is a Certified Life Coach at Inher Bliss Life Coaching, and is the Founder of The Heart of Miss Bee, Inc. Gray writes culturally relevant blogs about grief and loss, mother/daughter relationships, emotional healing and self-care.