A couple of weeks before General Conference, I was pondering how I could best prepare to hear the messages in the talks that were directed to me. I was also wondering how I could be more in tune with the Spirit, so that I could have my questions answered and understand the things that Heavenly Father wanted me to know specifically. As I was pondering on this subject, I had an experience brought to my mind from about 3 years ago. A talk was given in our singles ward, and the topic was about doing a media fast to prepare for General Conference. As I reflected on my memory of this talk, I realized how much time I wasted on social media each day - especially the days I worked when we weren't busy. I decided that a good way for me to prepare for General Conference was to do a "social media fast" for the week before conference.
At midnight on the Saturday (or Friday night...whichever you prefer) one week before conference, I deleted the social media apps on my phone (including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest) and made the commitment to stay off the websites for the whole week. It was hard at first. I wondered to myself, "What in the world am I going to do with this idle time at work??" There were even a few times when I almost accidentally got on Facebook merely out of habit (I caught myself before logging in thankfully). I instead filled my time reading, working on things for committees at work, starting the book by Elder Bednar titled
Increase in Learning that I've been trying to start since I bought it over 6 months ago, working on baby blankets, and playing games with my co-workers when we were slow. I actually watched tv shows and actually listened to Neal when we were talking instead of zoning out on my phone. I was able to spend AT LEAST 30 minutes each day studying the scriptures, and my prayers were more meaningful. I felt less like I was rushing all the time, and more like I had the time to accomplish all of my goals.
Most importantly (because it was my goal) I was able to ponder questions that I had specifically for conference, and I was able to go into it listening for answers. I truly listened to the talks and wasn't distracted by my phone buzzing with social media notifications. I can truly say I felt strengthened, and that I received answers to most of the questions that I had pondered throughout the week.
To take it a step further: I ended my social media fast Sunday after the last session of conference. Last night I was looking back on the past couple of weeks, and was thinking to myself, "WHY have I felt so rushed? Why haven't I been able to
squeeze in my scripture study, and why are my prayers so...sucky (because, lets face it...they have been because I've either been rushed that it's just been the "normal" things instead of thoughtful or so tired that I've almost fallen asleep while praying). It suddenly hit me, that it's because I've fallen back into my trap of social media zoning instead of focusing on other things that I can be doing...like these very essential and important things that I was failing at. Did I learn nothing?!? Hahaha.
So, my goal is to focus a little less on refreshing my Facebook home page, or my Twitter feed on the off chance that maybe in the last two minutes a notification or tweet has magically appeared...at 2 am...when no one but me and my coworkers are awake... *rolls eyes*...
Tonight has been better. I've read more of my book. I've talked to my husband. I've read my scriptures. And it feels good!
