THE DAY I QUIT SOCIAL MEDIA
A couple of years ago, if you had told me I’d willingly delete all my social media apps, I would’ve laughed. Like, actually laughed. Social media was just part of life — checking it while waiting in line, before bed, first thing in the morning. It was background noise, but somehow also a constant presence.
Then one day, I opened Instagram and realized I didn’t feel good. Not sad, exactly — just… foggy. Like my brain had too many tabs open and none of them were helpful. That feeling stayed with me long after I closed the app. It wasn’t the first time I’d noticed it, but something about that day made me want to pay attention.
So I started asking questions: What would happen if I stopped scrolling? What was I actually getting from all these platforms? Was social media adding to my life — or just filling it?
Eventually, I decided to try something I’d never done before: I quit.
This post isn’t a guide or a how-to. I’m not here to convince you to delete your accounts. I just want to share what life without social media has felt like for me — the awkward parts, the quiet parts, and the surprisingly sweet parts I didn’t expect.
I Didn’t Realize How Noisy It Was Until It Was Gone
At first, quitting social media felt like a weird kind of silence. I’d pick up my phone out of habit and stare at the home screen, not really knowing what to do next. It was almost like my brain was reaching for background stimulation.
The first week was the hardest. Not because I missed updates — but because I hadn’t noticed how much I used social media to distract myself. Bored? Scroll. Anxious? Scroll. Tired? Scroll.
Without those outlets, I had to sit with whatever I was feeling. And yeah, that was uncomfortable at first. But it also gave me space to hear myself again.
One random afternoon, I found myself just sitting on the couch doing nothing — not reaching for a screen, not multitasking. And I realized I hadn’t done that in years. It felt weird. But also kind of… peaceful?
I Stopped Comparing My Life to Everyone Else’s Highlight Reel
This one hit me about two weeks in. I hadn’t realized how much social media subtly shaped how I felt about my own life. It wasn’t super obvious — I didn’t scroll and consciously think, “Wow, everyone is doing better than me.” But it was there, under the surface.
You see someone’s photo of their clean, sunny kitchen and suddenly your own place feels messy. Or someone’s romantic anniversary post makes you question your relationship. Or someone’s productivity hacks make you feel behind — even if you were actually having a great day until five minutes ago.
Without that constant stream of curated content, I started to feel less behind. I wasn’t measuring my days against anyone else’s anymore. I was just… living them.
I started wearing outfits I actually liked — not just what I thought would photograph well. It sounds silly, but it felt kind of freeing.
My Attention Span Actually Got Better
I didn’t expect this one, but it makes sense. Social media trains your brain to crave novelty — a new image, a new story, a new update every few seconds. So when I tried to sit down and read a book or write something longer than a caption, my brain used to resist.
After quitting social media, I had a few awkward weeks of feeling restless. But slowly, my ability to focus came back. Reading didn’t feel like a chore. Writing became easier. Even doing nothing started to feel less like “wasting time” and more like just being.
I used to open TikTok “just for five minutes” and look up an hour later. Now I’ll take a walk, listen to a podcast, or — wild idea — just sit and think. It’s nice not feeling like I’m in a constant mental tug-of-war.
I Stayed in Touch with People I Actually Care About
One fear I had about quitting social media was that I’d lose touch with friends. But honestly? The people I really care about — and who care about me — didn’t disappear. If anything, our conversations got deeper.
Instead of watching each other’s stories and assuming we were “caught up,” we actually started texting more. Calling. Making time for lunch.
It’s weird how social media can give you the illusion of closeness while keeping everything kind of surface-level. Without it, you have to be more intentional. But the connections feel way more real.
I hadn’t talked to one of my old college friends in almost a year, even though we liked each other’s posts all the time. After I deleted Instagram, she texted me just to check in — and now we actually talk again. Like, real conversations, not just reactions to stories.
My Mental Health Got Way, Way Better
This one feels the most personal — and the most important. I didn’t quit social media because I was depressed or anxious. But once I stepped away, I realized how much it had been amplifying those feelings.
Not having constant input made room for things that actually helped me feel grounded: journaling, going outside, getting enough sleep. Even just having quiet time made a huge difference.
I’m not saying quitting social media is a cure for anything. But for me, removing that constant stream of comparison, noise, and stimulation let me feel my life more clearly — and actually enjoy it more.
I Got Bored — and That Turned Out to Be a Gift
Okay, so this might sound weird, but… I got bored. Like, real bored. I hadn’t felt that kind of boredom since middle school, when summer afternoons stretched on forever.
At first, I hated it. My brain was so used to filling every pause with scrolling. But boredom is surprisingly fertile ground. When I wasn’t being constantly entertained, I started getting curious again.
I started baking for fun. I picked up my old sketchbook. I got into slow hobbies that had nothing to do with being productive or impressive. Just because they made me happy.
And somewhere in that boredom, I realized I didn’t miss social media. I missed me — the version of myself that used to create just for the joy of it.
One weekend, I was stuck at home with no plans and no apps to scroll. I ended up reorganizing my kitchen, dancing around to old playlists, and reading a book I’d forgotten I had. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was the most relaxed I’d felt in months. And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything.
Final Thoughts: Was Quitting Social Media Worth It?
So, would I recommend quitting social media?
Honestly… maybe.
I don’t think everyone has to delete their accounts. But I do think it’s worth asking yourself how it makes you feel — really feel. If you’re like me, and you find yourself feeling foggy or overwhelmed or weirdly less connected despite being constantly online… it might be worth stepping back.
For me, quitting social media didn’t magically make my life perfect. But it made it quieter. Softer. More mine.
Now, I still take photos, but I don’t feel the urge to post them. I still think of captions sometimes in my head, out of habit. But I keep them for myself.
And the biggest surprise? I don’t miss it. Not even a little.
What I miss — and what I’m slowly getting back — is being present. With people. With myself. With life, as it actually is.
