This Lent, I had absolutely no idea what to do.
With all the twists and turns life had taken, I felt like I’d been dropped in the desert long before Ash Wednesday had even arrived. And when I say dropped , I mean dropped. No warning. No parachute. Just suddenly placed in the most arid, lonely stretch of existence I’d known in a very long time.
One afternoon, I found myself sinking into my favourite black velvety chair, staring up at a perfectly blue sky. Cotton clouds drifted past as I sat with my thoughts, trying to figure out what I could possibly give up for Lent or rather further give up, because 2026 had already started with quite the bang.
Giving up meat crossed my mind, and almost immediately as the thought crept up, I picked up my phone to check my notifications.
Thirty minutes later, my screen time alert popped up. My phone closed the app on me and watch buzzed , a firm reminder to get up and move. While I marched on the spot it hit me like a revelation.
The Obvious Answer I Almost Missed
Doom scrolling.
I was pouring hours of energy into social media platforms that couldn’t give me anything real in return, just a few dopamine hits and the quiet erosion of my peace of mind. The answer to what I needed to fast from was right there, glowing in my hand.
So I made a decision. A clean sweep. I unfollowed every account promoting negativity or lacking authenticity. My vision for returning, if I returned at all, was a feed reminiscent of the early 2000’s internet: a place to scroll, be inspired, and genuinely learn. A space that felt human.
From Social Media Fast to a Season of Upskilling
With all that reclaimed time and with the need to occupy myself ,I chose to invest in myself.
After speaking with mentors and doing my own research, I enrolled in several courses and diplomas accredited by CPD UK , a decision that transformed what began as a simple Lenten fast into 40 days of genuine enrichment. The kind that adds real, lasting value to a professional portfolio.
What started as giving something up became about building something better.
What 40 Days Without Social Media Actually Taught Me
I’m proud of the certifications and milestones. But honestly? The most valuable lessons had nothing to do with professional skills. I learned to slow down.
My mood was noticeably lighter. I laughed more. I was more present than I had been in years. I slept better. My workout highs were insane. My focus deepened. And slowly, I began to see. I saw who in my online community was truly present versus who was simply present for the next opportunity. I saw who kept up with me versus who kept tabs on me. I saw through filters, the digital kind and the human kind.
Most importantly, I saw myself.
A social media detox does something kind of radical: it removes the noise and forces you to sit with what’s real. And in that silence, grief, clarity, joy, and growth all have room to breathe.
The Desert Was the Gift
Forty days in the desert of real life.
I said goodbye to accounts, habits, and honestly certain people that I had outgrown without realising it or wanting to admit. The fast wasn’t punishment. It was pruning. And everything that remained after? It was worth keeping.
Intentional living isn’t always loud or aesthetic or Instagram-worthy. Sometimes it looks like sitting in your favourite chair, watching the clouds, and finally listening to what your own life is trying to tell you.
It was, without question, the best decision I ever made.
If it’s calling you , do it. When you come back the only thing that will have changed are the trending sounds. Everything else will be just as you left it.
Thanks for reading
Natasha xx
Have you ever taken a break from social media? I’d love to hear what the silence showed you. Drop a comment below or find me at @natashalakett.
