How I Disconnect from Social Media | Ingrid Nilsen

Social media has played a large role in my life both personally and professionally for the last decade and honestly, my relationship with it is pretty complicated. I've used it to cope with difficult life moments, as a powerful tool for my work and as a way to avoid painful feelings. Today I'm sharing some real, tangible changes I've made over the years that have helped me shift my behavior, use social media less and ultimately find more peace and connection in my offline life. If you're looking to reshape your relationship to your devices, I hope this video gets you curious about the shifts that feel right for you. 

----------
OTHER PLACES TO FIND ME:

----------
MISSED MY LAST VIDEOS? WATCH HERE:

Spring Clean With Me: Skincare

My NYC Office Tour

----------
WHAT I’M WEARING
- Sweater Urban Outfitters
(5 years old)

- Lipstick bareMinerals in Crave

- Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Sand Beige

- Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector

- Chantecaille Camoflauge Stylo in 4C

- Covergirl Plumpify Mascara in Waterproof

- Hourglass Eyebrow Pencil

- Glossier Boy Brow

- Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Caramel

- Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Maple Sugar (Part of the Capri Nudes palette, sadly discontinued)

- RMS Living Luminizer

- Benefit Blush in Dandelion

----------
VIDEO CREDITS

FYI: For videos edited by me, you won’t see editing credits. When I do get help from other people, you’ll see their names here.

Production Manager: Cristina Cleveland

----------

DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored.

[elmaordagic]

I deleted the instagram app a few days ago. I feel more productive now and don't procrastinate by watching memes all day when I'm bored, instead I try to do something that's gonna give me value in life. It felt empty at the beginning but after some time I got used to it. On rare occasions I might log in on the ig website so see what's up, but overall I think its a great way of trying to learn to stay out of social media.

[IxLovexanimex]

I am so sad that so many people are not watching her videos :( she has nearly 4 million subs but only 70k views per video

[audreykuczka]

This is so good. I was just talking with some mid-twenties girls my age and I truly believe Instagram, and other social media outlets can be such a thief of joy. When I am feeling myself experiencing negative thoughts (especially comparing my life and self to others), I altogether delete the app and give my mind a break. I read a book, listen to old music, or find something that makes me happy. With so much negativity out there, you can find so much peace when you just disconnect.

[lollillid]

just deleted a LOAD of apps from my phone after watching this. hopefully I can start using my time more productively. Even when it comes down to non-productive things like Netflix I have a tendency to scroll through Facebook or Instagram and not really pay attention in the first place. Recently started crocheting instead. Far better to have something creative as a distraction than just another half an hour wasted looking at IG stories.

[dawnnoele]

YES! I love this! I have clinical depression, and one thing that really keeps me in a downward cycle is clutter...whether it’s physical clutter in my space, or a cluttered iPad.
I also find notifications anxiety producing, so I have those turned off except for iMessage or FaceTime which only I have my kids, my husband and my dad on. I’m ALWAYS available for them.
As far as social media, I have Facebook for a very small number of family and friends (less than 25 people) and I have Instagram for a very small, carefully curated number of people I enjoy following. I try to make sure the people I follow bring light, happiness and positivity into my life. Since I’ve really cleaned out my digital space and social media I’ve found my anxiety and depression is a lot more manageable because I’m filling my brain with positivity.
I also like your idea of scheduling time for certain digital activities. I’m current in trying to establish a daily routine/schedule and this was on my list!
Thank you for your content. I learn so much from you and it’s nice to have someone who sees some things the way I do...it helps me not feel so alone. 💕

[alexmcginness]

I was having a crap day, feeling down and sorry for myself and this video turned my day around. I think I’ve been spending too much time on my phone and this video has shifted my perspective. I hope you continue to make content like this in the future. Thanks Ingrid!

[JosueRealty]

I deleted my social media and only use youtube now. It gets “lonely” at times until I remember that going on Instagram and sharing your stories isn’t a significant replacement for real human contact.

This leads me to reach out to my friends and family more often, and I also find myself doing more of the things that I want to do, instead of doing the things that are perceived to be popular by others.

Frankly I don’t feel like participating in social media for personal use for the time being and maybe not ever again. I do intend to return to my luxury real estate business in time so maybe then I’ll have to leverage Instagram and Facebook ads.

Until then, my mind has improved in a very organic way- in the sense that I have less of an urge to see what’s going on in peoples lives and more of a desire to reach out to someone personally and bond with them person to person.

[sweetpomelo]

please never stop youtubing because many of your videos are thoughtful. this video makes me thinking of deleting facebook.. etc..

[realwithro]

Thank you for this, Ingrid. I have been stuck in a funk - completely uninspired and I find myself drowning my sorrows away through the mindless distraction of social media. I'm truly loving your content lately! I've been subscribed to you since your MissGlamorazzi days and it's so refreshing to see how much you've grown throughout the years. Thank you for the inspiration! <3

[melancholissa]

Hi Ingrid! I completely understand you. I deleted my Facebook and Instagram accounts about a year ago and I feel way better. You don't realise until you actually give it a try with an open mind. I enjoy my life much more without it just because I focus better in real-life experiences than in my "digital" life.

[kategardner]

Ingrid, I really appreciate you making this video because using social media too much is something I struggle with and it’s such a time suck for me. Your advice is really helpful and I liked hearing how you’ve been able to implement these changes in your life. Thank you ❤️

[highlyhp]

I've been noticing more and more how addicted I am to social media. It becomes difficult to resist checking it, so I deleted Instagram and Twitter apps from my phone and just check them on my computer a couple times a day instead of several times an hour. The difference is incredible. It's especially jarring to see the way it affects children. They are literally addicted. I can't wait for the anti-screen revolution.

[imankashow]

Thank you for this! I bought a book called The Power is Habit to start retraining my brain to not only rely on my phone for entertainment. This video came at a really good time for me 😊 love you girl!

[lauracricket]

I LOVE this. I took myself off the main social internet apps (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) for this Lent season and so far it has been MARVELOUS. I am going to go back to Instagram and Twitter, but I’m going to HEAVILY reconsider who and what I’m following and what I actually WANT to see on my feeds. I’m really excited about the emerging lifestyle change of “less internet, more real life” that I’m seeing and I think it’s going to change all of us and our social culture for the better in the coming years. Thank you for this video!!! Much love ❤️❤️

[Morita-ri]

Such a good topic. You make very interesting points here Ingrid! I 'm obsessed with your haircut by the way, so cute!

[Amazeballsify]

I love the face you make in your thumbnail. It really does prove that you have thought about and 'created' this video's content as opposed to simply making a face everyone else is also pulling as their thumbnails. Most people will pull the dramatically-surprised face with a lot of hashtags or colorful subheadings on it. Or they pull the extatically smiling face which you see on so many videos that it has just become boring and unrelated to the content, really. So thumbs up for you, Ingrid. Thanks for another great video! :)

[ICanCYourHalo]

Love how mindful you are of so many topics and how you are moving into a more intentional vs passive life! You made great points and definitely inspired me to so some phone de-cluttering and overthink some of my mindless habits.

[nicklasm]

This is a really nice video, talking about a big problem in the modern world. It is the first time in a while I have watched your videos, but I am so happy that I watched this one. Hope you are well!

[comaxwell]

I love your content so much Ingrid. It’s always so thought provoking and intelligent. I always look forward to your next upload 😊

[odapunkt]

Fewer viewers but those of us still left genuinely care and are interested ❤️