Not Logging Off… Just Logging In Differently

There’s something about the week between New Year’s Eve and the “real world” starting again that feels suspended in time. We’re all collectively thinking about what we want more of, less of, and how to move into the year feeling a little more like ourselves. And while it’s easy to default to the classic “I’m getting off social media!” declaration… most of us know we’re not actually disappearing from our phones anytime soon.

So instead of going cold turkey, what if this year is about reshaping our relationship with social media in a way that feels supportive, grounded, and—most importantly—realistic?

Not anti-phone. Not anti-connection. Just anti-mindless…

Still Connected… Just More Intentionally

We don’t need to villainize our screens. Social media lets us stay in touch, be inspired, laugh at things we didn’t know we needed to laugh at, and sometimes even sparks creativity in unexpected ways. But it can also turn into a quiet time thief before we even realize it.

This year, we’re thinking less about “quitting” and more about redirecting—keeping connection, inspiration, and curiosity… without getting swallowed by the scroll.

Because it’s not that we don’t want to be online.
We just want to be more present while we’re there, and more present when we’re not.

Reaching for What We Already Love

For me, that looks like finally opening the design books I’ve collected over the years. You know—the beautiful ones that live on coffee tables, shelves, consoles—carefully chosen, thoughtfully published, and full of intention.

They were created slow. Edited with care. Designed to be touched, flipped through, layered, returned to again and again. And yet somehow scrolling wins more often than these pages do.

So instead of getting lost in endless feeds, I want to get lost in the stories, textures, ideas, and details printed right in front of me. There’s something grounding about that. Something slower. Something that feels like feeding your brain rather than filling empty space.

It’s not “put your phone away and be better.”
It’s “remember the things you already chose to surround yourself with… and actually experience them.”

Finding What Works for You (Even If It Involves Your Phone)

And sometimes, having a healthier relationship with social media actually involves… still using it.

My niece and her friends have this brilliant trick: when they study or tackle something they’ve been putting off, they set their phone to record a timelapse. Genius. If the phone is “busy,” you can’t mindlessly scroll it. And at the end, they have this satisfying little visual of time well spent.

It’s playful. It’s realistic. It works.

That’s really the sweet spot—building habits that support life instead of trying to fight it.

The Theme of the Year: Use It With Intention

This isn’t about becoming a different person because the calendar flipped. It’s about gently shifting back toward things that make us feel inspired, creative, focused, proud, or simply peaceful.

Maybe for you that looks like:
• opening the coffee table book you swore you’d read
• setting a time limit and sticking to it
• using your phone to document joy instead of escape
• going outside without feeling like you need to post it
• finding offline inspiration so online inspiration feels lighter

Whatever it looks like, let it suit your real life… not someone else’s version of discipline or “perfect balance.”

As we step into 2026, we’re not chasing extremes. We’re choosing presence. We’re choosing creativity. We’re choosing connection that feels genuine—whether it happens through a page, a project, a room that inspires you, or yes… even a screen.

XOXO- STYLE Nation