I took a 26-hour break from every social media platform, and it turned out to be one of the most refreshing experiences I’ve had in years. Stepping away from constant noise, comparison, notifications, and pressure showed me how much peace and clarity we lose without noticing. In this piece, I share what the fast taught me about identity, mental energy, real connection, and why disconnecting, even briefly, can change the way you feel.
Would you believe I’ve never even had one social media account? Unless you count this platform? Not tried it and left. Never had it. I saw the game being played where WE were the product and it was nothing but a surveillance mechanism. Not even Linked In which I view as social media as they censor. Plus Linked In is total garbage where people are pretending to care about things they don’t actually care about. I did have an account on Next Door for a few years if you needed a plumber, wanted to hit up an estate sale, etc. but I was banned for speaking CONvid truth and what was going on with the death jabs. There were people literally calling for my death on Next Door yet their accounts remained and mine was banned.
6 years in now and I don’t miss it a bit. I still have the accounts but apps are gone and only use browser versions as I created a few groups plus have a couple of business pages that I am admin on.
Best way I found to go Cold Turkey was to just switch off notifications, they must work on my ocd or something but without that little red ball and number you lose the ‘need’ to check ‘just in case’.
Second test to show just how false it all is…hide your date of birth and see how many people actually genuinely wish you Happy Birthday (NB. it’s a tough lesson but actually quite liberating at the same time).
On the plus side, it’s nice to catch up with friends irl now and actually have stuff to catch up on! Knowing everything they have done tended to leave meeting up feeling a bit empty and pointless before and it’s nice not repeatedly wanting to say/saying ‘yes, I did see that’ when discussing what each other has been doing.
Try getting others to agree. Even in real social settings people cannot let go.
I go away a few times a year with friends and family, I never have my phone out of my bag only to check my home cameras to see my cats are OK, once a day.
Majority in my group are socially active on their phones and let me tell you there is nothing as soul destroying as witnessing within 15mins of 'nothing happening' on a trip the phones are whipped out. They can't let go in company nevermind when they'd be alone.
Also, let's get back to proper cameras, even disposable cameras would be so much more fun.
I wish smartphones had never been invented but they have become obligatory for everyone practically in a legal sense now which is crazy.
My group are 30-50yrs old, can you imagine the younger age bracket going without their 'third hand'
Quit FB 2016. Have to use messenger but that’s it. Glad I did- very glad.
Would you believe I’ve never even had one social media account? Unless you count this platform? Not tried it and left. Never had it. I saw the game being played where WE were the product and it was nothing but a surveillance mechanism. Not even Linked In which I view as social media as they censor. Plus Linked In is total garbage where people are pretending to care about things they don’t actually care about. I did have an account on Next Door for a few years if you needed a plumber, wanted to hit up an estate sale, etc. but I was banned for speaking CONvid truth and what was going on with the death jabs. There were people literally calling for my death on Next Door yet their accounts remained and mine was banned.
6 years in now and I don’t miss it a bit. I still have the accounts but apps are gone and only use browser versions as I created a few groups plus have a couple of business pages that I am admin on.
Best way I found to go Cold Turkey was to just switch off notifications, they must work on my ocd or something but without that little red ball and number you lose the ‘need’ to check ‘just in case’.
Second test to show just how false it all is…hide your date of birth and see how many people actually genuinely wish you Happy Birthday (NB. it’s a tough lesson but actually quite liberating at the same time).
On the plus side, it’s nice to catch up with friends irl now and actually have stuff to catch up on! Knowing everything they have done tended to leave meeting up feeling a bit empty and pointless before and it’s nice not repeatedly wanting to say/saying ‘yes, I did see that’ when discussing what each other has been doing.
Try getting others to agree. Even in real social settings people cannot let go.
I go away a few times a year with friends and family, I never have my phone out of my bag only to check my home cameras to see my cats are OK, once a day.
Majority in my group are socially active on their phones and let me tell you there is nothing as soul destroying as witnessing within 15mins of 'nothing happening' on a trip the phones are whipped out. They can't let go in company nevermind when they'd be alone.
Also, let's get back to proper cameras, even disposable cameras would be so much more fun.
I wish smartphones had never been invented but they have become obligatory for everyone practically in a legal sense now which is crazy.
My group are 30-50yrs old, can you imagine the younger age bracket going without their 'third hand'
We are fckd 😔
I have been social media free for over a year now, minus Reddit which my time is coming to an end even on there.
It’s done wonders for my mental health and even physical health.
Same same...no social media except substack and one channel on locals. I find that this is enough to reduce my sleep as is.
I suggest you remain off as you owe no one unless you 'believe you do' to you own detriment.
its funny