Using a Social Detox as a Therapist

Regardless of what you do, your background, your family dynamic, your size, where you live or how large your social circle is, we all experience up's and downs in life, this is a fact. The body and mind is made to feel certain emotions, it's how we grow and all apart of the learning process. Some days, weeks or years are simply harder than others and often when it happens it feels like it happens all at once.

As i'm now on the other side of what has been a difficult start to the year I wanted to share a little bit about the curve balls this year has thrown for me and how even when you try to just power through there is a point in which you have to stop and gather yourself before it really starts to cause havoc and admitting you need to slow down for a moment is not a sign or weakness but rather a sign that you care for your own wellbeing.

At the end of last year, just before Christmas I felt exhausted and burnt out and not just from work but from the constant juggling parents have to do as well as sheer sleep deprivation as my near 3yr old had still not slept through the night. This left me anemic, foggy, waking up dizzy and low blood pressure and was affecting so many aspects of my life. On top of this, I hadn't long lost my longest childhood friend in South Africa to cancer and I had just learned about a terminal diagnosis of my other closest friend, also in South Africa. It felt like both my new life here in the UK as well as my much loved old life in Cape Town were simultaneously falling apart and as was I.

Now this post isn't a pity party but more about how strong us woman can be when the chips are down but also allowing ourselves to recognise we are feeling overwhelmed and make changes, take time for yourself and ask for help if need be. I have a tendency to try and plow through, especially as I am self-employed and my household depends on both of our incomes, but this year I have made time to take a moment, to breath, to walk, to disconnect from social media and not get caught up in what is a positive and daily tool for my work but can be bad for anyone feeling a little vulnerable.

It can be hard stepping away when you work in social media but I promise things won't fall apart and I'm not even talking about going quite and deleting profiles, just give yourself a phone/screen free day once a week if your feeling a little on edge. Make sure to spend some time outdoors as well as in the company of friends and talk to family, face to face, these will all make you feel more grounded and supported in the real world. I have also learned to say no to things that cause to much work and not enough gain as well as learning to prioritise better and not take on too much. I have written a post before about 10 things to do when life's not going as planned and is well worth a read.

The internet can be a great tool and resource for support and advice but if your feeling off balance than I would recommend avoiding social media platforms or at least try and cut out the noise by only connect with close and supportive friends. If you really are struggling with any kind of issue, big or small then do talk to someone even if it's calling a helpline or using online services such as an online therapist if you don't feel comfortable talking to someone you know.

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