Background
In 2025, I embraced the Lenten spirit (heathen though I am) and embarked on a 40 day season of fasting and introspection between Ash Wednesday and Easter. You can read about my experience here, but, long story short, I chose to personally fast from social media. It was imperfect, but edifying. I didn’t think I’d make it a year before doing another round, but here we are!
Social media fasting is almost a no-brainer for me. It’s amazing how much time slips through my fingers by way of doom scrolling and rage reading. Or, not even so much doom and rage – even more positive or rigorous content can soak up incredible swathes of time that I didn’t actually intend. If there’s a thing in my life that distracts from what’s really valuable and worth pursuing, for all of its upsides it would still be social media.
What I’m Tweaking for Social Media Fast 2026
As I reviewed previously, last year I fell into some unintended “loopholes” in my plan. I’d managed to stay off the obvious social sites (Meta’s offerings, X), but found myself drifting into comment sections and message boards instead, which in hindsight felt like breaking the spirit more than I’d like. This year, my rules are tighter – no perusing and engaging with algorithmically-fed slop to fill time. The only vaguely “social” sites I’m allowing myself are YouTube and Pinterest. Not that I can’t rabbit-hole myself or find distraction there, but on balance I naturally treat those sites more as utilities than reflexive time sinks. Instead of trading scrolling the ragebait of X for the ragebait of MSN comments sections, I’m intentionally choosing other outlets for moments of slack time.
Tactics
Making social media itself less accessible is the easy part. I don’t need to delete the apps from my phone (although your mileage may vary). Grouping the apps into a collection and putting it on the last menu pane by itself is enough friction for me to catch myself before I mindlessly return to the dopamine source.
I’m already finding myself with more books on deck and at hand. A paperback in my purse (with a real bookmark so I can jump directly in with no more friction than tapping an app icon), a day-job related book on my office desk, a book on the endtable next to my usual nesting spot in the living room, and a book on the nightstand. It’s been a minute since I’ve had that many books in progress at the same time.
The right book matters, too. When the intention is to replace reflexive scrolling, for me, a longform novel isn’t quite the thing. Instead, I’m leaning toward putting collections of more bite-sized reading into my path. Essay collections (hello, Montaigne), Dante by the canto, and lighter escapist rereads (currently rereading Crichton’s “Eaters of the Dead” as well). Things that, while they certainly aren’t all easy reading mind candy, are briefer and easier for me to engage with for brief stretches of free time.
And, of course, I’m putting more writing in my path. Rather than let myself drift to my phone in slower moments of the day, I’m keeping a writing project open in the background of my other desk-based work – a blog post, my newsletter, my manuscript. Something I can dip into with no real friction. And, if I should happen to get sucked in, something that will be a positive use of time.
Documentation and Reflection
Last year, my endeavor was a bit ad hoc. This year, I’m documenting how it’s going to share with you in a blog post that will release after Easter. A sneak peek into the struggles and benefits of the exercise. Not necessarily day-for-day, but definitely an as-we-go reaction and review of the social media fast as it’s going on. So, there will be that to look forward to, Dear Reader.
Giving Grace
As seriously as I’m taking this challenge to myself, I’m also aiming to be a little bit realistic. It’s 2026, and much of my contact with my social circle is facilitated by social media (and some email). I’m not ignoring the messenger elements of these platforms, and I do expect to need to check in at least a couple of times to check upcoming event info. I’m also leaving breathing room for the unexpected. I think the universe will be okay if break my fast to communicate condolences (Heaven forbid), for example. Would be silly to lose the forest for the trees. If circumstances demand a brief, purposeful use of social media for specific life-related information or communication, I’m not going to consider that a “break” of the fast. Life happens.
Conclusion
Let me know what you think! Have you ever observed Lent with a social media fast? Or fasted from social media at any other time of year? How did it go for you? Is consciously fasting from social media something that you’ve never done but would like to try? Share your thoughts!
If you enjoyed this update, you may also enjoy my review of “Alchemised” by SenLinYu.
Until next time, may the muse be with you!!
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