Minimal Media May | Ways to Minimize Media This Month and Beyond
I don’t know about you, but in the last few weeks, I have found myself completely sucked into my phone, laptop and TV more than ever before. Between news updates and Netflix binging, TikTok videos and Instagram stories — not to mention my 9-5 work that exists entirely on a screen — I have been stuck in a vortex of media consumption from sun up to sun down.
While we’ve self-quarantined during the coronavirus pandemic, I have thrown any sort of boundaries or self-made restrictions I had previously established out the window. And if you also feel you’ve lost control over your media consumption in the last month or so, I invite you to join me this next month as we regain control over our impulses in relation to devices. I’m calling it: Minimal Media May (because who doesn’t love a good alliteration)? Notice the intentional use of “minimal” — because we are not eliminating media altogether. We are simply reducing our usage by setting boundaries, creating rules and practicing some self-control when it comes to our glowing screens.
And what will we gain? I believe we will feel a little more free, fulfilled and content — and overall, a lot more human. While technology isn’t inherently bad, there is something so beautiful that happens when we step back to rediscover who we are apart from the two-dimensional world in our pockets.
Here are some practical ways you can practice Minimal Media May with me. And if you mess up on day one or day 15 by spiraling into a TikTok binge, that’s okay! Start the next day with a clean slate and try again. It’s not about perfection — it’s about establishing long-term habits and showing up day after day.
Give Yourself a Phone-Free Hour Each Morning
Or just 30 minutes! The trick is: don’t stare at your screen and scroll through your social media feeds first thing in the morning. Allow yourself to ease into your day without letting everyone else’s lives infiltrate your mind. Make coffee, do yoga, pray, get ready (if you’re into that sort of thing), go on a walk with the dog — anything not-screen related! Don’t make a depressing news headline or something sad your Internet friend is going through the first thing your mind processes in the morning.
Leave Your Phone Behind
Speaking of walks, practice leaving your phone behind when you go on walks (if it is safe to do so!). There’s something liberating about venturing into the wild with no ties to the digital world. Also, when businesses are open again, try doing this at restaurants and coffee shops, too! It’s pretty empowering. And you’ll love spending uninterrupted time with whoever you’re with — or just you, yourself and your interrupted thoughts.
Be Aware of the Types of Media You’re Consuming
Just like not all food is the same, not all media is the same. In fact, there should be a pyramid for media, just like there is a food pyramid. Take note of what you are doing when you use technology: are you there to create, consume or connect? There are ways to feel connected to humans (during this time and beyond!), through tools like Zoom, FaceTime or even social media in certain instances — and that is a valuable and meaningful reason for using technology. There are also ways to release creativity in the digital space, through writing, photography, fashion or another form of art (this blog does just that for me!). And there are plenty of ways to mindlessly consume, and I would argue many platforms are designed for this, including most social media apps. Take stock of your purpose at any given time. Are you there to connect, create or consume?
Minimize Your News Input
During the first days of the pandemic, I kept my eyes glued to the news — I wanted to know the latest developments as it all unfolded so quickly. And just as quickly, I realized I needed to minimize my news input — so I did, and it made a significant impact on my mental health. We weren’t designed to be able to handle all the highs and lows of the news, especially when we’re already in a fragile state. We all know what to do by now!
Create “Hours of Operation” for Yourself
It is wild that we can be accessed by just about anyone with the click of a few buttons, at any time of the day or night. Set boundaries by taking advantage of “do not disturb” mode (if you have an iPhone), which turns off notifications for calls and texts at a designated time. This month, I am updating mine to turn on from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. so half of my hours are free of notifications — plus, I have that phone-free hour from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Put Your Phone to “Bed”
Whenever your “do not disturb” mode is set to turn on, physically put your phone to bed wherever you charge it at night. And potentially do the same for your laptop or other screens! I still have to figure out our TV plan, because 8–10 p.m. is prime Netflix time...
...But Keep Your Phone Out of Your Bed
Although you are putting your phone to bed, consider making that a place away from your bed. We created a strict rule against screens in bed to eliminate the effects of staring at blue light just before we sleep. Keep your phone on a dresser on the other side of the room or in another room entirely. This will also help you wake up easier in the morning!
Go Long Stretches of Time Without Any Screens
Before the coronavirus turned everything upside-down, we had done a pretty good job about practicing Sabbath on Sundays. Prompted by Jefferson Bethke and John Mark Comer (who also happen to co-host an amazing podcast together), we avoided screens, took naps, made home-cooked meals, and spent time in nature every Sunday. I’ve also heard of people doing screenless Saturdays or an entire phone-free weekend. Whatever it looks like for you, experiment with weekly or seasonal breaks from screens or social media. While we haven’t formally stepped back into “Sabbath-ing,” I have spent significantly less time on my phone each weekend and it has been extremely refreshing.
Make a List of Non-Screen Activities You Enjoy Doing
So what will you do with all this time away from your phone, laptop or TV, you ask? Make a list of what you enjoy doing that doesn’t require a screen. You may be surprised that many of your hobbies do, in fact, require a screen — but that’s okay! Now’s a good time to uncover new passions, discover new interests, and learn new things about yourself and your surroundings. If you need some inspiration, here’s my screen-free list:
Make coffee the slow way
Lay in the sun
Pick flowers in the yard
Take a bath
Do a puzzle
Make a fort in the living room
Listen to an album all the way through
Paint your nails
Read a novel
Go on a run
Plant a flower box
Knit a scarf
Have a picnic
Close your eyes and daydream
Drink tea
Write a letter
Lay in a hammock
Color in a coloring book
Bake cookies
Take the scenic route
Blast music and dance
Do yoga
Take a nap
Sit on the front porch
Watch the sunset
You’ll notice one thing in common with most of these — none of them are extra “productive” or do much in the way of self-improvement, and that’s completely okay. I call it my un-to-do list, because I don’t really have anything to show for myself after. Except for a cleared mind and relaxed body.
Will you join me this month?
Let me know if you’re doing Minimal Media May — or some personalized version of it! No matter what, together, we can lessen our media use to make room for more ___________ (you fill in the blank!).