3 Magical Protection Rituals for Social Media Addiction
“I need to unplug/take a social media cleanse/go dark,” these phrases have become commonplace in our modern vernacular. The pull of social media’s siren song has enticed us all—except maybe your off-the-grid former classmate who now owns a tin foil hat to stop the government from reading his thoughts. Kidding…sort of.
My point is, that few of us are immune. Myself included. I’ve spent years integrating healthier habits around my screen time—no phones in the bedroom, sleep mode by 11 pm, deleting apps when I find myself mindlessly scrolling—but there is always an exception to my own rules. Because my mind conceptualizes things much easier when I create a character around my advisory, I’ve come to view my online addiction as a multi-tentacled creature—enclosing me in its grasp some days and allowing my narrow escape on others. One of the perks of this fantasy is it allows for just as magical remedies to my addiction.
Scroll on to find 3 of my current favorite ways to slay (or at least put to sleep) the social media beast:
1. Put on your armor before going into battle.
As alluded to above, I try my best to keep my phone out of the bedroom. Especially since moving into my first non-studio apartment in over a decade, my bedroom is a sleep sanctuary. That being said, my phone can still sometimes be the first thing I reach for upon waking. The alarm goes off from my living room at 8 am so if I’m not up before then I at least have to crawl out of bed to go turn it off. Some days, if I’m feeling strong, I leave it where it rests after that. Others, I succumb to the temptation to check all of the apps before I’ve even had my eyes open for 5 minutes. That being said, I always do a little protection ritual before opening any portals to the outside world. First, I call back any of my power/magic/energy that might have been left behind in my dreams. This involves simply visualizing puzzle pieces slipping back into place in my body and aura. Next, I imagine a high-tech U light spinning around my body, cleansing the energy that has returned. Then, I envision a protective layer/bubble/armor all around me that’s meant to deflect any opinions, energy, or stress that I might encounter on my scroll. End of ritual.
2. Visualize your opponent in battle.
Also alluded to above, I like to visualize social media as an actual creature, some sort of blend between an octopus and the human-harvesting tentacles from The Matrix. Having an image in your mind to represent your addictions can truly help your fight against them feel more tangible. These days, when I set an intention to be offline for a few hours, but feel the pull to break the promise I’ve made to myself sooner than expected, I close my eyes and imagine those machine-like arms of my opponent reaching out to me from my phone and deflect them in whatever way feels necessary at the time: cutting them back with swords, pushing them away with the power of my mind, or letting a strong, protective spirit guide battle them off in my stead. This detour into the world of creative visualization is also a great reminder that your inner world can be just as stimulating as your online world.
3. Break the spell with other rituals.
As a last resort to quell my online cravings, I like to bargain with myself using other rituals. I’ll tell myself that I’m allowed to give into my digital desires, but first I have to do something good for me, a productive and centering ritual like meditation or making a cup of tea. The deal only stands if I’m fully present in my distraction ritual. Usually, by the end of the alternative action, my desire to distract myself with an endless online scroll has lessened and I continue with my digital detox.
Never Miss a Post!
Become a MONTHLY MEMBER & gain exclusive access to a minimum of 4 members-only blog posts a month from one of 5 categories: Astrology & Tarot, Spells & Rituals, Sex & Dating, Fashion & Beauty, or Health & Wellness. Want to give even more? Become a FOUNDING SUBSCRIBER with the yearly membership & receive a signed copy of the OG Total Betty Goddess Deck + Coloring Guidebook as special thanks for your generous support.
