Have you ever gotten into the bad habit of spending too much time on Facebook… scrolling, scrolling, scrolling?

It’s maddening to know that I can get hooked into whatever algorithm that makes me into a FB junkie.

After reading Jordan Raynor’s new book Redeeming Your Time, I was convinced that I was spending way too much of my “downtime” scrolling through Facebook.

While it made sense to use social media as a business and networking channel, I had become overly dependent on it for my “social life” and “entertainment,” which frankly was hollow and not really fulfilling.

So, want to know what I did to quit and create a better habit?

Here is what worked for me that may inspire you:

• First, I just started by removing the Facebook app from my Smartphone. Just wiped it off.
• Next, I remembered what is important and what gets priority at certain times. I re-committed to work/life boundaries, which is critical for me as I have a home-based business, homeschool and do almost all things at home.

• Removing the app from my Smartphone took away the ease/convenience of just checking a post every time I looked at my phone. In order for me to check-it now, I must go to my laptop which is more like my work-mode space with digital media. This physical change seems to keep me to shorter times online. It helped me keep my work/life boundaries and stay focused on my family and self.
• Then, I implemented a friends and family news curation approach. I let my family and friends know I was off Facebook and would prefer to get a text or call from them if there was something important I should know, celebrate or communicate with them about (thanks Jordan!).
• Finally, I’ve delegated most of my business social media communications to my virtual assistant or just check my notifications that now come via personal email. This helps me not completely ignore when people have tagged/liked/shared on my FB account. This review happens within 15 minutes, again preferably on my laptop workstation, where I determine what I might reply to personally or delegate it.

Imagine what you could do with your time and headspace without constantly checking social media?

Well, here are some things I’ve noticed after 30 days:

• I picked up one of my wife’s many novels and was entertained… I even was invited to her book club and enjoyed talking with real people about the book.
• I enrolled in an online course that I’ve committed one hour per week for continued education and enrichment.
• I’m walking my dog more and meeting other dog-owners at the dog park!
• I’m finding more time to spend with my teenagers and discover what interests them.

Maybe we become more human, more social, and more connected to ourselves and those around us when we redesign our digital lives and create better habits with our social media use.

I’m curious what your experience has been with social media and other digital distractions. How have you formed better relationships and habits?