One of the most unexpected benefits of living without internet in my apartment is the amount of time I've gained because I'm not mindlessly scrolling for horoscope memes. While I'll occasionally set up a hotspot with my phone when I'm in dire need of internet time, I find that when I get home and there's no signal and no data, it forces me to be present in the moment. Rather than opening an app out of boredom or loneliness, I'm forced to sit in the hotbed of emotions that I've been ignoring all day and rumble with them. While this statement alone is enough to terrify most, it's actually helped with my anxiety and given me time to connect to my inner voice. Most of us—myself included—move through the motions of social media without even thinking about it. We will be driving or stressed out, replaying the same thoughts about the events of our lives, and the way we cope with our mental anguish is by opening our app of choice. And when we're on social media, we stalk some girl in Australia who's only sharing the highlight reel of her life, or swipe left on every human to appease our ego. The swiping and scrolling might make us feel better at first, but in reality, this seemingly small vice makes us feel shittier than before because these apps aren't necessarily designed to uplift.
I cannot tell you how liberating it is to open an app and see the loading wheel. That wheel is an invitation to pause and ask myself how likes or comments are really going to make me feel better about my life. How is checking what a celebrity is doing with their life actually benefiting mine? And it's different for everyone, but if you find yourself constantly comparing your life to someone else's or stalking your ex to see what they're up to, it might be time to try injecting conscious behavior into your scrolling habits. If you don't have the courage to cut the cord, even pausing for four seconds before going on a Tinder bender is a good start.