I used to think being unavailable for 24 hours would kill my business.
Turns out, it made it thrive.
Storytime:
There was a point in time when I was addicted to social media for my business. I was obsessed with planning my next batch of “perfect” content, glued to my Instagram notifications, and checking my DMs 500 times a day.
I wholeheartedly believed that if I logged off for a hot second, I could be sending leads (and $$$$) away. I thought if I wasn’t on high alert, ready to respond at even the most ridiculous times—like when I was out to dinner with my BFF or putting my kiddo in the bath—it was going to sabotage any chance I had at signing new clients.
In hindsight, it’s crazy. I know.
BUT I also know we’ve all been there before, wrapped up in the anxiety that comes with growing your biz. Hell, you might be there right now.
If you’re constantly checking in with your biz socials and struggle with healthy boundaries, this post is for you!
My Wake-Up Call
I knew my socials were controlling me – and, tbh, my family knew, too.
Being glued to my phone 25/8 was not the type of freedom I had envisioned when I started Creative Gravity. Kinda the opposite, actually.
The pressure I put on myself was draining my creative juices, my relationships, my mental health, and my sleep. Not to mention, my revenue wasn’t experiencing any real acceleration. So, honestly, what was the point in being connected all the damn time?
That’s when it clicked. . . I was choosing anxiety over creativity.
I was letting the stress of “having” to show up suck all of the fun out of creating authentic content for my audience. Trust me; when this happens, your audience will feel it, and your content will fall flat.
I NEEDED a reset. A step back. A damn minute to get my head together and focus on other, just as important, elements of my life and business.
And that, my friend, is when Digital Middle Finger Friday was born.
What is Digital Middle Finger Friday?
After my epiphany came through, I decided to take Fridays off from socials.
This required a pretty profound mindset shift, and it took a lot of re-framing to realize that my business wasn’t going to crumble when I stepped away for short periods of time.
The only thing I regret? Not doing it sooner.
The Rules of Digital Middle Finger Fridays
1. This is a complete social blackout. That means no posting, checking, or “just one peek.”
You’re 100% off the grid.
2. You communicate your absence. You set your communication boundaries with your team members, put an emergency procedure in place (but only for real emergencies), and share your availability with your clients so they don’t think you’ve ghosted them!
3. Use your Fridays for productive activities. Now that you have white space on your Friday calendar, you can use the time to attend creative workshops, dive into strategic planning, focus on team building, or tune into that podcast you’ve been meaning to hear.
The Results
I’ve been majorly thrilled with the results after just three months of no-social Fridays (which is why I wrote this blog – to show you that you can and should do it, too!)
Here’s what’s happened over the past 90 days:
- I experienced a 40% increase in creative output. There were more ideas, inspiration, and better quality—all the things your social formula needs to be effective.
- I have better team communication. I have time to sit down, organize my thoughts, and communicate more consistently with my team. Improved cohesiveness equals faster growth.
- I’ve built improved client strategies. Taking time away from the socials gives me mental clarity and helps me dial in on what’s working and what needs to shift!
- My revenue has increased by 31% within the last 6 months. More time for planning behind the scenes and implementing sales strategies led to a big boost in income. See, I told you my business didn’t crumble! Yours won’t either.
- And most importantly – better mental health. I’m more present, less stressed, and am never going back to the ugly grip of social media overload.
So, what do I rate Digital Middle Finger Friday🖕🏽? The results speak for themselves. I’m calling it a 10/10.
How to Start Your Own Digital Middle Finger Day
If you’re feeling called to start your own Digital Middle Finger Day, my advice is to DO IT!
Here’s how to step away from socials with intention so your business – and your mental health can thrive.
Choose your day. Take a good look at your weekly workload and choose a day that makes sense for you! It would help if you also considered your personal schedule when planning.
Set boundaries. Remember: the point of this is to stay offline! It may be tempting to check in for “just a minute.” Stay strong and stick to your boundaries!
Manage client expectations. Your clients need to know they are supported and cared for. Let them know you won’t be available so they know what to expect.
Measure your success. Check in with your social media analytics, inquiries, and revenue weekly. Be sure to celebrate all your wins, no matter how big or small!
How to Handle Mental Drama
Listen, I know signing off on socials can be a total mindf*ck, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve got some pushback popping up, I’ve got you!
“But my clients need me!” They do. But here’s the thing. . . You’re there to support them, but you’re allowed to have your own life, too. You signed up to be a biz owner because you wanted freedom. As long as you tell them you’re unreachable on your Middle Finger days, they’ll be okay!
“I’ll miss important updates!” This might be true, but the updates will be there when you get back. The world is not going to burn down, and neither will your business. You’ll actually be better off by taking a temporary break.
“My business will suffer!” This is such an easy trap to fall into. Been there. Done that. And what I have to tell you is that this is just a story we tell ourselves. It’s NOT the truth. Do box stores go out of business the moment they close for a holiday? Nope! Your business will be just fine.
Conclusion
So, what do you say?
Are you ready to put a Digital Middle Finger Day on your weekly calendar?
Your revenue, relationships, and mental health will thank you!
Let’s uplevel your social media with expert advice so your strategy works for you! Book a Social Media Audit with us to elevate your social media game in 2025.
