ACAST powers the world's best podcasts.
Here's a show that we recommend.
Are you a fantasy reader looking to cure your book hangover?
Then welcome, welcome, welcome to the Fantasy Fangirls podcast.
I'm Lexi, older sister and fantasy lore nerd.
And I'm Nicole, younger sister and romantic at heart.
And we love exploring these stories, worlds, and characters well beyond the last page.
Fantasy Fangirls is not your typical book deep dive podcast.
When we say deep dive, we mean deep dive where every episode covers a stretch of chapters and is structured with five segments to easily follow along.
We are currently deep diving Quicksilver by Callie Hart in the lead up to its highly anticipated sequel Brimstone.
We're so excited.
We hope you join us as we travel through the Quicksilver to dive deep into literary and character analysis theories lore, themes and so much more.
ACAST helps creators launch, grow, and monetize their podcasts everywhere.
ACAST.com.
Hi, everyone.
Welcome back to Pod and Chill.
I'm Leo.
You know me, I like calm talks and small jokes.
And I'm Gwen.
Nice to be here again with you.
Leo, you say you like calm talks.
But with social media, life isn't always calm, right?
What if you had to spend one week with no social media?
Oh no, that would be a disaster.
No TikTok, no Instagram.
I'd probably start writing letters to my friends like it's the 90s.
That's exactly what I mean.
Many people are curious about this challenge, but very few actually dare to try.
And today, we don't have to imagine it.
Yes, I don't have to hold Leo alone today because we have a special guest, Max.
He just quit his job and decided to take a seven-day break from social media.
Welcome, Max Collins.
Hey everyone, I'm Max.
Thanks for having me here.
Honestly, one week without social media felt both scary and exciting.
And I can't wait to share it with you.
Oh, that sounds really exciting.
Careful, Gwen.
Max is full of energy, maybe even more than me.
Oh no, so this podcast is going to be loud and lively.
But in a good way.
Max's experience will make our talk more real and practical.
Exactly.
In this podcast, you'll get another point of view, not only from us hosts, but also from someone who experienced that challenge.
And before we start, don't forget, we also prepared a free PDF with all the useful phrases from today's talk.
You can download it, practice, and make your English learning journey easier.
All right, let's get started.
So, how is your life these days, Max?
You made a big decision.
A decision that changes your life.
Yeah, I decided to quit my job as an IT engineer.
It was a stable job.
Can you share with us why did you quit?
Well, my IT job needed me to sit in front of the computer for many hours.
Step by step, my body felt very tired.
I can imagine.
Sitting in front of a screen all day is not good for health.
Many people say their eyes and back hurt because of that.
Exactly, and also, I am a very FOMO person.
I always check social media.
More and more, I felt stuck in the screen.
Wait, what is FOMO?
Maybe our listeners also want to know.
FOMO means fear of missing out.
It is when you are afraid to miss something.
For example, when your friends post pictures of travel or parties.
You want to check your phone all the time because you don't want to stay behind.
Ah, yes.
That sounds familiar.
I think many people know this feeling.
Yes, this made it harder to stop.
When I stayed at home after quitting, I wanted to relax, but I got stuck scrolling all the time.
I watched video after video, but I felt empty inside.
Oh, I know that feeling.
You spend hours on the phone, but later you cannot even remember what you saw.
Yes, it can feel very heavy.
So, you decided to change?
Exactly.
I wanted a new direction.
So, I tried something brave.
A digital detox for seven days.
Digital detox?
That sounds interesting.
Can you explain more so our friends know what it's about?
A digital detox means you stop using digital devices for some time.
No phone, no social media, no personal computer.
It helps your body and mind rest.
Nice.
So, during those seven days without your phone or social media, how was your life?
Day one and day two were really strange.
I still held my phone by habit.
I opened it, but there was nothing to check.
I felt empty, like something was missing.
Oh, I get that.
It's like when you forget your keys and you keep checking your bag even when they're not there.
Exactly.
I was worried, too.
I thought...
What if my friends post something important?
What if I miss news?
So, FOMO again.
The fear of missing out.
Yeah, that feeling is real.
I also check Instagram when I wake up.
Like, I need proof the world is still moving.
Same here.
I once deleted Facebook for two days and my friend said, Are you alive?
Yes, that's how it feels.
Like if you're offline, people think you disappear.
But day three and day four got better.
I started looking for new things to do.
I picked up a book I never finished.
I went for walks in the park.
Wow, going for walks?
That sounds simple, but it can really change your mood.
Yeah, not many people take time for that these days.
It helped me.
My thoughts became more clear when I wrote them down.
And without TikTok, you finally remembered you still own books.
True.
But seriously, that's amazing.
It's like you gave your brain some fresh air.
Yes, I realized I had more time than I thought.
Before, I always said I'm busy, but really I was just scrolling.
Oh, I feel the same.
That's me every night.
Me too.
I once lost one hour just watching cat videos.
Day five and day six were the real turning point.
I slept much better.
I didn't compare myself to people online.
You know, like seeing friends travel or buy new things.
Oh, I know that feeling.
Sometimes I see someone post a perfect photo and suddenly my day feels worse.
Yeah, social media is like a highlight reel.
Everyone looks perfect, but real life is different.
Exactly.
Without that, I could focus on my own goals.
I spent time planning my next career step, and it felt good.
That's inspiring.
Just a few days, and you got clearer about life.
So no more scrolling until 2 in the morning?
Right.
I went to bed earlier and I woke up with more energy.
That sounds healthy.
And what's next?
Then day seven came.
I looked back at the whole week.
I felt peaceful, like I had control of my time again.
I didn't need notifications, likes, or comments to feel okay.
That's beautiful.
I didn't expect just seven days could make such a big change.
Yeah, usually people think you need months to reset, but one week already gave you freedom.
Yes, and I think anyone can try it.
It's not easy, but it's possible.
I love that.
And I bet our dear friends are curious now.
What would happen if they tried the same thing?
Maybe we should all do a one-week challenge together.
Careful, Leo.
I know you can't live without memes.
True.
But maybe Max's experience can help us.
Well, if we all try, we can share tips with each other.
Yeah, and if someone feels bored, the others can give support.
That sounds fair.
So, how do we start?
Hmm.
Before we start, Max, I think you should share with us why you wanted this change.
Is this okay?
Of course.
You know, I was using social media too much.
It made me tired and unhappy.
Really?
What happened?
Well, I stayed up late many nights just scrolling.
My eyes hurt, my sleep was bad, and I felt tired in the morning.
That's very common.
Doctors say screen light can mix up our body clock.
It tricks the brain to think it's still daytime, so sleep becomes harder.
Right, and then you wake up tired, drink more coffee, and the cycle goes on.
Exactly, and not only sleep.
I often compared myself to others.
Like, when I saw friends traveling or buying new things, I felt small.
Oh, I get that.
I had a friend who posted happy photos every day, travel, new clothes, smiling faces.
But later I learned she was very stressed in real life.
That's a perfect example.
Social media often shows only the highlight reel.
People don't post the boring or sad moments.
True.
And when I saw those perfect posts all the time, I thought my own life was not good enough.
That must be heavy, Max.
It's like living in a movie where everyone else is the star and you're just watching.
Yeah, that's how it felt.
And here's another point.
The brain.
Every time we get a like or see a new post, our brain feels happy.
That makes us want to check our phone again and again.
Using social media can be like a habit you can't stop.
Like when you eat one chip and can't stop until the bag is empty.
Exactly.
Sometimes I picked up my phone without even thinking.
My hand just moved.
That shows how strong the cycle can be.
Also, there was too much information news memes, videos.
I felt my head was full.
I know that once i scrolled through news before bed war politics, economy and i couldn't sleep because my mind wouldn't stop thinking.
That's called information overload.
The brain doesn't get time to rest, so people feel worried or stressed.
That was me.
I couldn't focus on real work because of the noise online.
And this can even affect friendships or relationships.
Max, did it change yours?
Yes.
At dinner, I often looked at my phone instead of talking to my family.
One time, my mom asked, why are you on your phone again?
That made me realize my phone was taking away family time.
Wow, just one phone, but it can build a wall between people.
Yes, social media can bring us together, but too much can make us feel apart.
So in total it makes us sleep less, think too much, compare with others and even hurts relationships.
And Max's story shows all of these points clearly.
Yes, that's why I knew I needed a break.
So, Max, we heard about the dark side of social media.
But tell us, was there anything good after you quit?
Yes, for sure.
The first days were not easy.
But then my sleep got better.
At first I kept scrolling until almost 11 p.m., Then I told myself I had to stop.
How can you do that?
It's hard to stay away from the phone.
Well, I even put my phone in my desk drawer far from my bed.
But I couldn't sleep right away.
I just turned in bed until 1 a.m. before I finally slept.
After some days it became normal and I slept better and felt fresh in the morning.
That makes sense.
When the brain doesn't get too much blue light and notifications at night, it can relax.
The body uses that time to rest.
Good sleep is like free medicine.
So, no more TikTok laughs at 2am?
Max, maybe your neighbors are happy now.
No loud cat videos from your room anymore.
Yeah, I think so.
And with good sleep, mornings felt different.
I didn't push myself to get out of bed.
I had real energy.
And how about your time?
Did you feel you had more hours in the day?
Oh, yes.
Suddenly the day felt longer.
I picked up books I hadn't read for years.
I took short walks after lunch, just watching trees and kids playing.
And I even started writing a journal.
I found time I thought I never had.
Journaling.
Did you write like, Day 1, still alive without Instagram.
Day 2, still breathing.
That's so funny, Leo.
Anyway, it's not like that.
I wrote about how I felt, small good things, and even funny thoughts.
Writing made my head feel lighter.
That's true.
Writing helps people clear their mind.
And walking is also good.
It's simple, but strong.
So instead of giving time to the screen, you gave it back to yourself.
Nice deal.
Exactly.
And without likes or comments, I felt free.
No one was judging me.
Many people don't notice it, but that quiet stress can feel really strong.
Without it, you feel happier.
I had a friend like that.
She always posted happy vacation photos, like life was perfect.
Later, I noticed she was very tired and almost too stressed to keep going.
Social media showed the smile, not the truth.
Yeah, I know that.
I also compared myself to people like her.
It made me feel bad.
Without that, I'm calmer.
And I spent more time with my family.
At dinner, instead of hiding my phone, I listened.
We joked and laughed together It was real.
Careful, Max.
Spending time with family?
That's dangerous.
You might like it too much.
Maybe.
But it felt good.
I was really there with them.
That's true connection.
When we look at each other, our brains connect better than on screens.
And one more thing, I felt clear.
With less noise, I could hear my own thoughts.
I asked myself...
What do I want next?
I even made small plans for the future.
Oh yeah, with a clear mind, you can know yourself better.
You see what matters, make plans, and pay attention to important things.
I also noticed I could focus better on work and learning.
Without always getting a lot of notifications, I could finish tasks faster.
So you stopped scrolling and started planning.
That's a good change.
And because you had more free time, you could enjoy small things like cooking or listening to music without feeling rushed.
Balance, peace, focus, and real connection.
Those are the real gifts.
Yes, I didn't expect it, but leaving social media made me feel more... me.
I didn't care so much about others' opinions.
I felt free.
And that's the sunshine we were waiting for.
So, after hearing about Max's week without social media, I think the main lesson is this.
Social media is a tool, not the boss.
If we don't control it, it can quietly control us.
Exactly.
The choice is ours.
We decide when to stop or check the phone.
The apps don't control us.
Yeah.
Every time I left my phone on the table and walked away, it felt like a little win.
Small steps, but they added up.
Like tiny superpowers.
Each time you don't check Instagram, you get a bit more energy for real life.
And that's the best part.
Every small choice builds up, like training a muscle.
The more you practice being less online, the easier it becomes.
At first, I didn't think it would make a difference.
But by day seven, I felt lighter, clearer, and more awake.
See?
Your brain has space to think, your body gets the rest it needs and your real relationships get attention too.
It's everything you need.
Balance, clear mind, energy, and real connection.
All because you stopped using your phone for a while.
And that feels really free.
When you're not controlled by notifications, you have energy for the things that really matter.
Exactly.
And that's the answer to today's question.
Why is everyone quitting social media, even just for a few days?
Every small choice helps.
Every time you skip scrolling, it's like opening a window and letting fresh air into your mind.
So maybe we don't need a full week to feel better.
Even one day or just a few hours can help.
True.
Small wins make big changes.
That's the nice part.
Feeling free, focused, and living a life that's really ours.
If Max could stay away from social media for a whole week, just one day could help you feel much better too.
It's easy to try.
Yeah, why not leave your phone for a day or even a few hours?
You might feel lighter and happier.
Wow, that was such a great talk.
Big thanks to Max for being here and sharing his story.
Yes, thank you, Max.
Your story really shows that taking a break from social media, even for a short time, can help us sleep better, feel calmer and spend more time with the people we care about.
Thanks for having me.
Honestly, it was fun sharing my experience.
I hope it can help others think about their own screen time.
Exactly.
And remember, it's not about quitting social media completely.
Just using it less can give us more energy and focus for real life.
Right.
And to all our listeners.
We want to know what topics you want us to talk about next and who you want as a guest.
And maybe next time I can share more stories about small changes that make a big difference in life.
Send us your ideas.
Maybe next time we'll have even more interesting stories to share.
Thanks for listening, everyone.
Stay curious, stay balanced, and enjoy the real world too.
Let's say goodbye to Max now, my friends.
Goodbye, everyone.
See you again, friends.
I'm your friend, Leo.
And I'm Gwen.
Bye-bye.
ACAST powers the world's best podcasts.
Here's a show that we recommend.
Are you a fantasy reader looking to cure your book hangover?
Then welcome, welcome, welcome to the Fantasy Fangirls podcast.
I'm Lexi, older sister and fantasy lore nerd.
And I'm Nicole, younger sister and romantic at heart.
And we love exploring these stories, worlds, and characters well beyond the last page.
Fantasy Fangirls is not your typical book deep dive podcast.
When we say deep dive, we mean deep dive where every episode covers a stretch of chapters and is structured with five segments to easily follow along.
We are currently deep diving Quicksilver by Callie Hart in the lead up to its highly anticipated sequel Brimstone.
We're so excited.
We hope you join us as we travel through the Quicksilver to dive deep into literary and character analysis theories lore, themes and so much more.
Acast helps creators launch, grow, and monetize their podcasts everywhere.
