NatNews

Recent data revealed that there are more than 5.6 billion social media “user identities” (which doesn’t mean unique individuals) across the globe, with 93.8 percent of the world’s internet users, regardless of age, using social media on a regular basis.

With so many people active on multiple platforms, constant exposure to images, opinions, and other content can often feel overwhelming. It’s not uncommon for individuals to need to take some time away from social media, and doing so can also be beneficial for one’s mental health, resulting in a decrease in stress, anxiety, depression, and self-criticism.

Dallas-area resident Maddy Pond said she recently decided to take a break from social media for a brief stint of time.

“I took a week off because I had it as a goal to complete in 2026, and I felt like a week was doable with me never having done it before,” she said.

For Pond, it was a necessary escape to allow her to reset her mind for a bit and not let it be consumed with content she felt was creating a sense of negativity.

“At the time, I was noticing myself spending so much time looking at Instagram and seeing stuff that made me feel bad (my algorithm got into the Epstein file stuff—ugh),” she said.

And sometimes the behind-the-screen reactions and comments of others can cause individuals to take breaks from Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), TikTok, etc. that they might not have otherwise opted to take. Dallas-area resident Megan England, who is the official fashion correspondent of NatNews, stepped away from her online socials a few years ago after a post she made resulted in unexpected backlash.

“The only time I have taken a break from social media was when I got doxxed online for an LGBTQ+ ally post on my personal private Facebook page,” she said. “I am a teacher and was called a groomer and a pedophile. My school address and home address were shared, and my front door was egged. Commenters called for my arrest, lynching, and other violence against me.”

But England said she did not let such reactions cause her to go into permanent social media hiding and ended up only staying offline for approximately 10 days.

“The doxxing coincided with an ice storm, so I had been out of school and hadn’t seen my students,” she said. “When I returned to school, the kids and my coworkers rallied behind me with love and support. I decided then to embrace what happened and let ‘them’ know they can’t silence me.”

Rather than taking complete breaks from social media, some individuals, including Dallas resident Craig Borkenhagen, prefer to ration the amount of time they spend on it on a daily or weekly basis.

“I’ve severely limited my time on social media because it offers so little value to my day-to-day life,” Borkenhagen said. “I realized I was wasting so much time watching reels and shorts and just ‘doom-scrolling.’ And on top of that, I realized I was doing that to avoid dealing with life—all of the emotions and difficulties that come and go.”

To ensure that he doesn’t spend more time than he wants or needs on socials, Borkenhagen has employed certain methods that help him in this regard.

“I’ve blocked Instagram totally on my phone, so my only access is on a computer,” he said. “And for Facebook, I don’t have the app—I only use the browser and have a 10-minute time limit per day.”

Since doing so, Borkenhagen said he has noticed certain benefits that have ensued.

“The biggest changes are giving more time to the things that add value to my day and make me a better person physically, mentally, and spiritually,” he said. “Thirty minutes reading a book is time better spent than 30 minutes watching those dang reels.”

Like Borkenhagen, Pond said she also noticed the minutes (and maybe even hours) dedicated to other portions of her life when she wasn’t spending them on social media.

“I felt like I had so much more time in my day and wasn’t focused on checking in to see who posted what and when,” she said. “It was also nice to feel disconnected in a way that I could have more meaningful conversations and check-ins with friends through texting or calling.”

Pond said her experience made her realize how beneficial it can be to take a social media break every once in a while or limit time spent on it.

“I honestly could have kept doing it or might do it once every couple of months,” she said. “I think it’s so easy to get sucked into technology, and it’s a breath of fresh air when taking a break.”

Borkenhagen said he also believes that it’s important for an individual to limit his or her time on social media, especially when one has an addictive personality, which Borkenhagen said he does.

“I latch onto things, including social media, and have a hard time letting go,” he said. “So I have to go to great lengths to course correct. There are so many better things to do with our time than spend it on social media. It also gives me more time to spend being a better friend to the people in my life.”

While online content and commentary can certainly drain an individual’s time and emotions sometimes, such platforms don’t always have negative impacts. England said for her personally, she has come to realize simply how powerful any social media presence can be—especially the positive kind.

“As a teacher, I keep in touch with my students,” she said. “I love seeing their growth and celebrating their victories with them. I also know it takes a lot to be vulnerable online, so I make sure to give them the same encouragement I would if they were still 17 and sitting in my classroom.”

And though England isn’t going to let other people control whether or not she maintains an online presence, she does acknowledge that too much time on social media can be harmful.

“Algorithms create echo chambers of ads and news,” she said. “You begin to think your way is the only way because that’s what is constantly being reinforced. We all need to touch some grass.”

New Jersey is the only U.S. state that doesn’t allow customers to pump their own gas.

What began as a rather small neighborhood parade with a few vehicles in 1979 has become a much more extensive celebration. This Saturday marks the 45th annual Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival, an event that in recent years has drawn more than 120,000 individuals lining Greenville Avenue.

The day-long festivities include the St. Paddy’s Day Dash 5K at 8 a.m., followed by the parade at 11 a.m. and music festival at 12 p.m.

But this yearly celebration has seen its fair share of struggle, including in 2012 when funding became an issue. Rather than let it slip away, Dallas resident and well-known entrepreneur Mark Cuban saved the parade that year when he donated the $40,000 needed to cover the cost of additional police, barricades, floats, and trash pickup as well as an additional $25,000 for the Dallas Independent School District scholarship fund, which is normally raised through parade revenues. For Cuban, it was important to keep this annual Dallas tradition alive.

“Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I had too much fun going to the parade,” he said. “I didn’t want to see it die.”

The event not only allows residents and visitors to come together for a shared experience but is also beneficial revenue-wise for several local restaurants and bars along Greenville, both of which are significant aspects of the St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival in Cuban’s viewpoint.

“It’s the only parade in the city where anyone of any age can go and have a great time,” he said. “Plus, it’s great for the economy.”

Dallas-area resident Rob Ostrout, race director at Run Project, said he believes that there are a variety of aspects that contribute to this annual occasion drawing in so many individuals year after year.

“I think it hits a sweet spot that not a lot of events can,” he said. “You’ve got the physical activity side of it—a legitimate race that runners take seriously—but it’s wrapped in this big, celebratory, only-in-Dallas energy. St. Patrick’s Day is already a holiday people want to be out for, and Greenville Avenue gives it a home with real character.”

Ostrout said it also doesn’t hurt that Dallas has a massive running community filled with individuals who are always looking for reasons to lace up their racing shoes.

“Combine that with great weather in mid-March, cold beer at the finish line, and a street party that goes all day, and it kind of sells itself,” he said.

As the race director of the St. Paddy’s Day Dash 5K, Ostrout said he is responsible for ensuring that everything runs smoothly—quite literally—from start to finish. He coordinates the logistics of the race (the course, timing, volunteer coordination, safety protocols, etc.), but he said the role entails much more than the race itself.

“I’m working closely with the city, vendors, sponsors, and neighborhood to make sure that the whole experience comes together,” he said. “People show up to have fun, and my job, along with our amazing team, is to make sure that nothing gets in the way of that.”

And while putting on a race of such magnitude that coincides with the ensuing festivities involves a significant amount of planning and day-of execution, Ostrout said he truly enjoys participating in the day’s events and playing a part in helping make it a special celebration for those in attendance.

“There’s this moment every year—right when the gun goes off and you’ve got thousands of people in green pouring down Greenville Avenue—when all of the months of planning just click,” he said. “It’s hard not to feel something in that moment. What I love most is that this event brings out people who may not run another race all year. It’s accessible, festive, and communal. Knowing that we’re creating a memory for someone’s first 5K or a yearly tradition for a group of friends means a lot to me personally and to our team.”

While many individuals continue to show up each year, there are some people, including Dallas resident and running coach Alfonzo Gonzalez Jr. (Fonz), who have retired from spending time among the crowds and opt for quieter celebrations of the March holiday. Fonz said he hasn’t participated in the St. Patrick’s events in Dallas since 2019, when he was a part of the Team Cricket running crew.

“Cricket Wireless would encourage the Team Cricket runners to participate in the 5K race, activities, and even parade floats,” he said. “Since then, I usually do a long run during the Greenville festivities. After participating in St. Patrick’s events for many years, I now relax or go somewhere less crowded for a green beer, instead.”

And though he doesn’t line Greenville with the thousands of others in the area, Fonz acknowledges that the entire event remains popular because of the long-standing tradition of the parade, the post-party celebrations at restaurants and bars on Lower Greenville, and the economic boost it provides.

“Overall, the parade attracts numerous visitors from outside of Dallas, which contributes significantly to the local economy by generating millions of dollars in revenue for businesses within the city in a single day,” he said.

Whether taking part in the 5K, watching the parade (which includes more than 90 floats), attending the festival, popping into the various establishments, or a combination of all of those, attendees can enjoy this once-a-year celebration however they choose to do so. As Cuban said, it’s simply a great opportunity for people to come together and have fun. 

“It’s become an institution,” he said. “Tons of people look forward to it every year. It’s kind of the start of summer in Dallas. And who doesn’t love a parade?”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

See you next month, Augusta  

Monday, March 9: Addison Speed Dating & Singles Mixer (ages 24–35) at Hawkers Asian Street Food
Tuesday, March 10: Stars vs. Golden Knights at the American Airlines Center; Bonsai Bar at Celestial Beerworks; Free Rooftop Movie — White Chicks at Sundown at Granada
Wednesday, March 11: Corb Lund at the Kessler; Whose Live Anyway at the Majestic Theatre
Thursday, March 12: Stars vs. Oilers at the American Airlines Center; Matchbox Twenty Tribute — Matchbook 20 at Legacy Hall
Friday, March 13: Mavs vs. Cavs at the American Airlines Center; Connor King at Dallas Comedy Club (also on Saturday); Java House Grand Prix of Arlington in the Arlington Entertainment District (goes through Sunday); Candlelight — Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas
Saturday, March 14: WRRC Saturday run from Taco Joint; St. Paddy’s Day Dash 5K at Energy Square on Greenville Avenue; 2026 Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival on Greenville Avenue; Live 90 at Legacy Hall
Sunday, March 15: Stars vs. Red Wings at the American Airlines Center