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Help Me, I’m addicted!
I wake up in the middle of the night and look for it. The world that it takes me to calls out to me. I miss it, I need it without even realising that I do. Squinting my eyes which are heavily laden with sleep, I quickly take that magic box in my hand. Resisting the pull in the other direction by sleep, I don’t want to let it go. What if I miss something important? What if I miss something, anything?
Every time I have breakfast or lunch, I keep it by my side. Why I don’t even know how to take a walk without it anymore. While out dining with friends or attending a wedding, I keep looking at it constantly. There is an attraction, so great. I can’t spend more than a few minutes without it. It’s an invisible pull, an addiction. It is a fixation, a weakness. Yes, I’m addicted to my phone and through it to social media. I’m an addict and I need help.
This could be me or even you. It could be any one of us. In fact, I think it is true for most of us. This addiction to our phones, devices and social media has become so common that we hardly even notice it anymore. Hundreds of people in a canteen, eating while browsing their phones is a common sight today. The abnormal seems normal now.
Social Media replays everything that happened in high school corridors. #socialmedia Share on X
No holiday today is complete without hundreds of pictures which no one probably sees for the second time. Eating out has to be accompanied by check-ins. There is secretly a constant need for validation from the outside world. Sounds like adolescence revisited, right? This is the truth, yours and mine.
From food to books, is there anything at all that we don’t share online? I do it myself but in moderation perhaps (at least that’s what I’d like to believe like every other addict). But really, have you noticed how we just cannot go anywhere without our phones? We are on it, with it, 24X7.
Yes, I’m addicted to my phone and through it to social media. I’m an addict and I need help.
I was 20 when I got my first mobile phone. Thank God for that. And honestly, I don’t think I missed out on anything for not having cell phones as a teenager. But these days even teenagers have the latest mobile phones. They have unlimited access via the internet. But somewhere the alarming side effects far outweigh the benefits. They miss out on so much being shackled to these devices. But what’s even scarier is that they form a habit of it, a habit hard to let go of.
This addiction to our phones, devices and social media has become so common that we hardly even notice it anymore. #SocialMedia Share on X
What have we as a society come to? As a millennial myself, I know how strong the lure of social media can be. The constant need to share, the addictive likes and connections, the itch to scroll, to see what that notification is about. There’s a hypnotic bind to all these things, hard to resist for some strange reason. But I also know, all these mean nothing. That world of social media is probably as real as Captain Nemo’s Nautilus.
The constant need for connection only disconnects us further.
A few weeks back after putting M to sleep, S and I were resting in our living room. And then suddenly the silence hit me, he was on his phone while I on mine. He was playing a game while I was splitting my time between my blog and twitter. That’s when I realised how addicted we were. Instead of having a nice conversation, we were both looking at our phones. The machines had finally become our masters.
That world of social media is probably as real as Captain Nemo's Nautilus. #socialmedia Share on X
These past few months I have been consciously trying to reduce my time on and my need for social media, hence the need for my phone. But clearly, I wasn’t doing that good of a job. I am, as it appears, as much a social media addict as one who probably doesn’t even realise it in the first place.
Well, they say, self-realisation is the first step to fighting any bad habits. And I already feel disenchanted by the world of social media as it is. Most times I find the people fake and most friendships a lie. And the level to which people stoop to reveal their impudent nature if you don’t agree with what they say, that’s another story altogether. Social Media replays everything that happened in high school corridors. I don’t know if I can handle being on it all the time anymore.
So, I’m going to fight even harder to control this addiction. Are you?
PS: I have successfully avoided being constantly online for a few weeks now. The mean streak that comes out on social media is also to be thanked for it. I’m happy not being constantly connected because there is so much more to life than Facebook, Twitter and the folks who scream through it.
First, big big hugs to you for writing this. I say this with empathy and love. I’ve been there, so many times and it’s why it’s a fascinating subject for me to blog about. I love the honesty in this piece the most, Naba. As with anything, self realization really helps. Like my dad says, you can listen to any number of talks, read so many books but if you’re still unable to change yourself then that means you’re not ready for the change. It was tough for me to hear many years ago but I’m so grateful to him for all the wisdom he’s shared and continues to share with me too. Take your time, take the space and gently disengage from social media as per your need. You owe it to yourself. Plus I’m just a phone call away if you ever need to talk.
I agree with you that this has become a serious addiction. Digital media is controlling our lives beyond our comprehension. It’s a grave issue. I try to limit my interaction, take time to pursue other interests and disengage from social media and also internet. Kudos for sharing your experience!
I wrote a blog sharing my experience of reducing TV time. You can my blog if you would like to read it -Dump Idiot Box to Restore Sanity
Brilliant post Naba. It takes courage to want to leave something that’s such an integral part of everyone’s life today.
I used to think it was a bubble. I later realized it was an equalizer. Social media and the internet have put power back into our hands. Judicious use will make us more intelligent while the rest of the world continues screaming, ranting and outraging. I guess the platforms just bring out what’s truly inside you.
Do know that you have a many partner in this initiative. Good luck 🙂
I am not addicted. Never was. I was alarmed, looking at what was happening with everyone else and simply switched off. Having plenty going on offline also helped. Self-realization is wonderful. Take care!
I am not addicted, but I do waste a lot of time on Facebook. Of late, I have got into this habit of reading articles and posts shared on FB. And one article leads to another and then another… I seriously need to limit my time on Facebook, dependence on other social medias are still under control.
I was never addicted but just like you and Vidya more alarmed at what was happening on sm. The negativity really got to me. And a few weeks back l cut back further. It has definitely enhanced the peace and calm in my life. Dec and Jan have been excellent months in this regard. I think l am ready to use social media to my advantage instead of becoming its slave. Love the honesty in your post, Naba.
I think I should be grateful that I didn’t get my first mobile phone till 2005! As a matter of fact we only had a phone at home when I became 20. It was fun growing up without a phone . And as for Social media? The word wasn’t even a thought
I thought I was addicted. But realized I’m not. When I’m content with my surroundings I barely use social media or my phone. But I regard this as an introvert nature that’s creeping into me, and sometimes that scares me. But i love the peace it gives me when away from so much of chaos.
Love the post. Esp the honesty.
Kudos to you for keeping up with your resolution, Naba. Yes, social media has quickly turned a bane these days. I had kept away from social media for around one whole year by deactivating my FB account. I never missed anything and I could enjoy life more because of that. Now a days, I am into social media again, more because of my upcoming fiction project. I cannot help it and I need to be there for another few months. I am planning to cut down on my social media time once I am done with the project.
Good luck with your resolution, Naba. It’s so easy to get addicted and not realize we are!
Just a minute ago, I told an old colleague how funny it is that we’re more connected than ever and so much more disconnected too. Could it be that our relationships lack depth, or that we’re so worried about missing out? For me, it helps that Jose is almost totally off social media. We have a no phone, no TV (when we had one) rule at meal time and it helps a lot.
Good luck with your resolution, Naba. It’s so easy to get addicted and not realize we are!
Just a minute ago, I told an old colleague how funny it is that we’re more connected than ever and so much more disconnected too. Could it be that our relationships lack depth, or that we’re so worried about missing out? For me, it helps that Jose is almost totally off social media. We have a no phone, no TV (when we had one) rule at meal time and it helps a lot.
I’m trying to get this comment through for the third time. Sorry if you got a flood.
I am not an addict to the phone for social media.I can go without calling anyone on the phone for the entire day.
I strictly do social media for my blog and never rant on it .
I am actually thankful to SM for many of my blogging friends.
It’s very good that your are cutting it down.
Out childhood was much better than all this .. we had so much quality time with others during those days . Now even if one wants to call another person we are doing Whatapps
I am so addicted to instagram and blogs… I am always reading something or checking out instagram posts… It’s taking over my life. Of late I have stopped taking my phone on walks or visit to grocery. I have stopped carrying it always in my hand and try not to open it while conversing. But still the addiction scares me. I can understand where you are coming from.
The machines have finally become our masters! The perfect way to sum it up! The funny part is unlike all other fad’s this one refuses to die down. The only way to take control seems moderation and spending time without it. Once my kid announced that you guys are always on phone and that was the day I decided to take control. So they are times in a day when phone is a strict no-no. Vacations are data plan free or very low on data so that even if there is an urge there is nothing you can do.
Recognising the addiction is the first step, so good for you!
“The constant need for connection only disconnects us further.” Very wise words.
A few days ago. you must have read about a FB post I had written of how I went to meet a family over lunch and I had to wait for 3 members out of 4 to lift their eyes and mind off their phones and realise they have a guest whom they had invited almost like peeche pad pad kar. Thus, I get it what you are saying in this post. One thing which I identify with you here in this case is to wake up in the middle of the night and check my phone for any wordpress, FB and Twitter notifications. For some time I worked upon myself by leaving the phone in the living room at night and I hate to admit it has found its way again into the bedroom. It is time to repeat the de-addiction act.
Have you watched this video by Simon Sinek? I could not post it here but let me DM you the link. He explains how social media is an addiction. Like a real addiction.
I realized how I was a little addicted too. So I now turn off mobile data when I hit the bed and I have some other simple rules for myself. I am working towards a more connected in person kind of life 🙂
I used to be a total addict, but I am getting better. Small steps towards progress, but I am making progress.
For instance, now social media never comes ahead of time with family, not consciously or even unconsciously.
Books always come before social media too, and I am thankful for that. The one addiction that I am trying to break is checking Facebook first thing in the morning. I wake up to it, and I hate it, but can’t stop it either. Probably I am not trying too hard, but it’s on my wishlist.
YES! Naba, my friend, will totally work harder this year to differ between my offline and online hours…. It annoys me when people are stuck in their phone, and you kind of think you are not one of them and then you are… So yes, will do like you and fight my addiction… Good luck to you .. and to me as well… Loved thgis post:-)
Oh yes yes yes to everything you said. It takes so much willpower to not get caught up in our phone. One glance and all is lost. These days I have started switching off data when I need to work on something and when I sleep.
I believe this is keeping me away from starting my own book :p Anyhow, but I feel it’s important to grow your circle. If we see it in that way, it might have different effect on different people. Although, I wish I could take such a bold step as to step away from the social media.
I have never been addicted but these days I feel a certain kind of hatred towards social media. Every Tom, Dick and Harry with a computer is on it and expressing their views and opinions as loudly as possible. The negativity is unbearable and I hate to see people write paragraphs about something that no one else is interested in. Why social media and not a diary instead?
The anger, hatred and vitriol is making me move as far away as I can from social media. It was supposed to bring people together, but look what happened instead. I’d rather go back to those days where I did not know what every person I might remotely know was doing/wearing/traveling.
It is very important to let go off this addiction. For all you know, this is more dangerous than smoking.
I think we all become addicted to it and then slowly understand this addiction. Only then we all start cutting ourselves from it. And its really important to understand that social media has plus and minus both. For me its more for my blog and cos of that reason only, i am online full day. All the best to u.
Sure this addiction is to be dealt with seriously.As bloggers we need to tend to spend more time on social media-to promote our posts and to network.We have to take care that this engagement doesnt get overboard and sap our energy.