The journey of motherhood intertwines with technology and social media, impacting us and our children. We have the power to model mindful tech use for our children. Setting clear intentions, seeking support from spiritual guides, and curating our digital spaces mindfully can foster a more positive online community. Let’s reframe our views on technology as a tool for growth and connection, creating balance between virtual and real life.

spiritually thriving in a digital world

I think it is vastly important for mothers to have a healthy relationship with technology, especially social media. There is a threefold reason for this:
1. It protects us, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally, so we can be the best version of ourselves for our child.
2. It allows us to mirror to our children how to use technology in ways that benefit us, not make us feel worse.
3. It allows us to be more mindful of not only our consumption of social media but also an increase of mindfulness in the lived-in and present day-to-day.

Every time a child is born, a mother has emerged from the earth’s womb as well. And with that, you will notice a profound shift in priorities and recognition of what really matters in life – this little soul and your little family unit. I understand the pull to create content and share the joys in your life because, like this blog, we all have stories to tell and they’re worth being heard. But too often I have been witness to those who continue to share despite a mounting frustration with social media as a whole, and despite a complete shift in how it makes them feel.

I have also seen mothers struggle to put the phone down and I am not stranger to that struggle. But there is a scientific reason for this pull we feel to our black boxes: Gateway Foundation states, “The reward portion of the brain reacts the same way to compulsive Internet use as it does to drugs. Studies on how the brain changes when a person uses the Internet mirror the effects that the brain goes through when a person uses drugs. Just like alcohol and drug addiction, technological addiction begins to become more attractive to the user than all other activities. In the end, one may stop engaging in other activities altogether to get a chance to go online. The withdrawal symptoms of Internet use are similar to the withdrawal effects of drugs. Internet addicts may experience depression, mood swings and anxiety when they stop using the Internet.”

If that’s not enough to make you question your own relationship with technology and social media, I don’t know what will do it. Because, for me, wanting an addiction-free-life where I am not a slave to a vice is essential. For me, I want my child to view me as the master of my life, not the servent of an a craving or compulsion.

It is absolutely necessary that we create, for ourselves and for our children, a more mindful connection with technology, and to use it in ways that are mind and soul-expanding, rather than mindless and consuming. It’s for that reason that I’ve put together this list of ideas, from a spiritual perspective, on how to create healthier relationships with technology and social media.

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From Screen Time to Soul Time: 10 Spiritual Strategies for Navigating Technology and Social Media

intentional consumption

The first way to create a healthier relationship with technology is to make what you consume intentional. What that means is that you set very clear intentions with your use of tech and social media. Mindlessly scrolling is not intentional, it is a passive act. There is no set goal or vision when you scroll, scroll, scroll. Setting intentions such as I want to learn, I want to be inspired, I want to watch something entertaining, I want to discover something new, will allow you to consciously consume and to create a more clear direction on why you are using what you use. You’ll quickly find that social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok do not meet these goals because there are too many walls and too much noise in the way.

hyper-awareness

Mindful use of technology means you are also hyper-aware while you are using it. This means that you are being a very conscious navigator of your emotions and mental state while you’re engaged in the activity. The only way to feel in control is to be in control – and as soon as something seems off, you need to set the boundaries and not feed into it (the Instagram rabbit hole, as I sometimes call it). Turn it off, step away, cleanse the palette with something new and tangible (ie. in the real world).

ask for help

There are multiple ways to hold yourself accountable for your tech usage. One way includes asking someone in your household to call you out when they spot you passively submerged into the drowning scroll of social media, but my favourite way is to ask your soul team. Your soul team are the angels, guides, and the archangels who watch over you and want the best for you and your spiritual development. I will often pray, set intentions of, or write in my journal for my soul team to help me set boundaries and healthier relationships with my devices and social media. By taking the pressure off your shoulders and asking Source for assistance, you’re guarantee to see greater results. Trust me on this. The signs will emerge that encourage a more present-living in ways you never expected.

If you’re ever looking for more guidance and assistance from your soul team with any lack of clarity you may have in your life, you may want to consider my Higher Soul Consciousness Reading or Awakened Mama Life Offering!

spot the hypocrisy

One of the easiest ways you can naturally turn yourself off of these applications which ask for your mindless consumption is to be a more discerning consumer of content. In fact, by turning the act of browsing social media from a passive to an active exercise, you’ll find yourself quite spiritually nauseated by what you’re mentally digesting.

I have seen accounts that are shaming mothers for using their phones and allowing screen time while simultaneously setting up their phones and manufacturing a “sincere moment” between them and their child in order to create content for Instagram. I have seen mothers preaching about the necessity of nature and judging those who are not spending their entire motherhood outside while recording the entire “natural experience” for social media content later. All this guilt and shame and finger-pointing for their social media benefit and growth.

And then there are the mothers that make you feel that pang of guilt for not having the latest and greatest item that they just got their child, meanwhile it’s just pushed to you so you click their affiliate link and make them money and sponsorships for their motherhood – do they really care about your journey, or is it all about making theirs better via your consumption? Did you agree to being used in that way? Where was the consent?

Do you not see how disconnected this all is? Do you not spot the irony? If you put on your “irony-and-hypocrisy cap” before you scroll, you’ll find yourself going blech and getting out of that application real fast. Curate your digital content carefully, following accounts and engaging with content that uplifts and inspires. Discourage negative or toxic online interactions that can drain spiritual energy. (Did you know that I had to completely leave an account where the algorithm left me infinitely drained and emotionally destroyed? That’s how Awakened Little Souls was born!)

On that same note, it’s important that you are not a contributor to creating a space that leans towards the realm of toxic. We should all work to create conscious and thoughtful posting and sharing on social media platforms. As awakened mamas, we must reflect on the impact of our online presence and share content that aligns with our values, promotes positivity, and uplifts others.

proximity

It seems almost silly but how close to you that you keep your phone will ultimately affect how often it is used – or even just mindlessly grabbed in a moment of quiet. Lately, I’ve been putting magazines and books close to me, instead. In addition, I’ve been keeping one of my “everyday journals” at arm’s reach with a pen and actively choosing to grab that instead of my phone that has Instagram. There is so much more value that comes from expanding your mind with literature or releasing your soul with pen and paper than throwing your index finger up and up and up on social media.

If you’re looking for an everyday journal that include life-changing prompts which encourage self-reflection and personal growth, look no further than my Sacred Motherhood Spiritual Journal and Chakras Unlocked: a journaling pathway to inner harmony.

digital sabbaticals

Regular breaks from technology and social media allow you to reconnect with oneself, family, and nature. Unplugging allows you to recharge spiritually and mentally. Whether these breaks are at certain times of the day, after a certain amount of consumption in a day, or for an extended period of time (like a digital detox vacation), the longer you are able to draw out your break from the space, the less you will miss it – I promise you.

At first, the detox will feel much like any withdrawal; empty, boring, sad, lost. But as the time goes on, you’ll find those withdrawal symptoms also fade. I once took a break from social media for 6 months and I didn’t miss it at all. In fact, I lived life so much more fully and found myself marking down my memories in journals rather than with a phone in front of my face. I recorded life less and lived it more. And when I got back to the space, yes, IG shadowbanned me, but it didn’t bother me at all and I absolutely questioned why I returned at all.

Nowadays, I take digital sabbaticals from social media when my phone alerts me that I’ve spent one hour total in the app. ONE HOUR! Can you imagine what else could have been accomplished in that accumulated time!? What a deep loss I feel when I get that alert. I also stop touching my phone that has Instagram after dinner. I save that time for journaling, reading, and enjoying my husband’s company. It’s not realistic for me to take an extensive break as I used to do because I am an immigrant in this country and lack a motherhood community; the connections I’ve made through social media have been valuable and I wish to remain connected with them.

set realistic boundaries

In my bedroom, I refuse to allow myself access to social media apps like Instagram or Facebook. I do not consume any news in bed. I also try and avoid checking emails related to work. Instead, I usually turn to my Kindle for reading upstairs. Or, if I’m using my phone, I’m watching motivating, educational, or inspiring content on YouTube or forming a vision/inspiration board on Pinterest. I am very active with consuming positive and uplifting content in this space of rest; I want my heart and mind to rest with thoughts that bring joy and uplift me and awaken my spiritual creativity, I don’t want to go to bed troubled, overwhelmed, or emotionally shaken.

Perhaps you have a playroom and wish to designate that area as tech-free, or maybe you have a reading nook and you ban your phone from entry into that space. A rule I set for my child is that he never watches anything on phones or iPads; screen time, for him, is the television at home and he knows to never ask or request it when we are out (because he doesn’t know better anyway).

Whatever boundaries you set, make the goals easily attainable and try hard to stick to them!

tech-free rituals

Incorporate tech-free rituals into daily routines, such as morning meditation, family meals without devices, or bedtime storytelling. These rituals help create sacred moments of presence and connection and allow you to model to your children the value of these experiences together, and can positively influence their own behavior and relationship with technology.

re-frame your views on tech

Technology emerged as a tool for humans, not a slave driver of humans. We must reframe how we view technology and applications in order that we may use them in the way they were originally intended and in ways that will mentally, emotionally, and spiritually benefit us. If we look at tech as a tool for learning and connection, we are more likely to use it in that way. If we fill our phones with applications that contribute to our growth and do not hinder or impact our emotional, mental, or spiritual state in a negative way, we are more likely to benefit from tech rather than see it as a burden and something to toss away entirely. If we use tech to keep us balanced or in harmony with ourselves – such as the way I use a laptop to write these blogs and cater to my soul-needs as a writer – but are also cautious of when tech is hurting us or creating a weight we needn’t carry – such as when I recognized that creating on Instagram began to feel more like a burden than a joy – then it becomes just another part of our lives, and no longer our whole life.

be gentle on yourself

I notice that when I have been on a device for too long, I feel an immense about of guilt; we shouldn’t be made to feel this way from something that is meant to bring us joy and entertainment, so it is a reminder for setting stricter boundaries for the next time. We need to be gentle on ourselves because we are navigating so much as we constantly put others first. It’s easy to want to turn to a device and consume mindlessly to destress and that’s okay! I would never judge you for something I am known to do, so you should not judge yourself either. This is a learning curve, as all things are. It’s something we are navigating under a new identity and it’s going to take time to spiritually pilot through these fogs. One step at a time. One boundary at a time. One goal at a time. One consumption vision at a time. Go slow for greater gains. You’ve got this.

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In the journey of motherhood, we find ourselves navigating a world where technology and social media intertwine with our daily lives. As mothers, it’s not just about our own relationship with these digital realms, but also about the example we set for our children and the impact it has on our family dynamics. With each swipe and tap, we’re presented with an opportunity—a choice—to either mindlessly consume or consciously engage. It’s a choice that affects us on multiple levels—emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. By fostering a more mindful connection with technology, we not only protect our own well-being but also create a nurturing environment for our children to thrive.

As mothers, we have the power to mirror to our children how to use technology in ways that uplift and enrich our lives, rather than diminish our spirits. By setting clear intentions, practicing hyper-awareness, and seeking support from our spiritual guides, we can navigate the digital landscape with intentionality and purpose. But it’s not just about how we interact with technology—it’s also about the content we consume and share. By curating our digital spaces mindfully, we can foster a more positive and uplifting online community, one that aligns with our values and promotes authenticity and connection.

So let us reframe our views on technology, seeing it not as a burden but as a tool for growth and connection. Let us choose to use it in ways that nourish our souls and expand our minds, rather than drain our energy and distract us from the present moment. In the end, it’s about finding balance—a delicate dance between the virtual life and the real life. And as we strive to create healthier relationships with technology and social media, let us remember the profound impact it has on our lives and the lives of those we love.

For in the sacred journey of an awakened mama, every choice we make, online and off, shapes the world we create for ourselves and our children.

xx C

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My goals to have a healthier relationship with tech are often challenged by the dopamine addition that comes with scrolling – small joys in chaotic spaces that make you want to continue, but meanwhile the cortisol (stress hormone) is released in drones when I am flooded with emotional or overwhelming content – like the crash after a high. Just like addicts feel bad after they down, I feel bad.