I quit social media. Here's why

I deleted Instagram a few months ago and I've felt so much better since. These are all the reasons that made me uncomfortable with social media and lead to this decision. I would love your thoughts on how you can make platforms like this work for you!

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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:53 Fake connections
2:12 People are different online
2:55 Goals I never wanted
4:00 The algorithm doesn't like me
5:40 Curiosity Stream
6:30 Social media is attention seeking

[nrannia]

I’m 20 & I’ve never had Instagram - I’m happy about it.

[orbitaljunkie]

I deleted IG/FB/Twitter a few years ago and it has greatly improved my mental state. Every time I think "oh I wish I could post this", I stop to think about the underlying reason for it and it nearly always comes down to attention seeking (often from negative sources, like ex's.) So instead, I text or call a friend or my family. You can still accomplish many of your ideas on YouTube, like live streams w/ chat, shorter vids for feedback / whatever it may be. I've found that YouTube is generally more positive as you can build a little community here of people that care.

[elisglaze]

I recently deleted almost all of my social media accounts because I started to feel incredibly disconnected and empty inside. I don't care to see what people are doing throughout their day and it only gets more exhausting to pretend that you care. I feel like my brain is refreshed from detoxing from the materialistic and superficial posts in my feed. I've found that picking up a good book or testing out new recipes has cured my boredom. It's wonderful that you are bringing attention to this.. it truly leads to a more enriching and fulfilling life.

[Raekonn]

Not being on social media is actually a growing trend, and I'm so happy about it, because I share all your views and concerns. Thanks for being one of the special ones that realizes we are actually doing a disservice to ourselves. Massive appreciation for your choice

[badassedits]

Honestly I’m considering quitting social media too, it had a negative impact on my mental health with the unrealistic expectations.

[bishanmeddegoda]

I quit four months back. One of the best decisions i made. I wasn’t a heavy social media consumer but i was average, yet now i feels like i saved few hours per day! I started to workout, started to watch documentaries, sleep early etc. Genuinely feels like i’ve upgraded my life.

[SAmes-tzmn]

I’ve deleted all social media besides YouTube. It’s been almost a year now and it’s done wonders for my mental health. I found myself being so consumed in the opinions of others and stressing out over numerous problems that do not concern me. Yes YouTube is still social media with tailored algorithms, but the education that YouTube provides has helped me in so many ways that Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat etc has not. Great video 👍🏽

[JatinGarg]

The way I look at it is that you have to control the algorithm before it controls you. Lots of pros of social media but it's easy to fall down the wrong rabbit hole

[BobLucore]

YouTube is social media. Its algorithm is doing to me the same thing Instagram was doing to you, in terms of sending me down rabbit holes. It has addicted me to productivity porn.

[ἀγάπη-ου]

The most non-normal thing I've normalized using Instagram is putting yourself at the center of everything you do.
_I took this picture, I went to this place, I saw this scenery, I achieved this body, I was at this event..._
It's never about the thing you're capturing and always about what it says about _you._ Which sucks the fun out of everything and tends to make people desperate for attention.

[Hayat-xjgi]

Quiting Instagram was the best thing ever. I can finally live as me and be truley and entirely real rather than comparing my life to superficial posts online which are obviously a fake representation of life.
I can be true to my passions and stop living to impress

[Pinksmalte]

I deactivated my Instagram 3 months ago, and it was definitely the best decision to myself. I love very much your channel, I am now spending my time painting ( you were my inspiration, I always liked to draw but you inspired me to start painting and I am loving it so much) and studying, I am also applying to study medicine.
That video was so necessary, I hope more people realise the dangers of this platform. Thank you dear ❤️

[robkrabbendam]

You're completely right with saying social media is attention seeking. It is. And seeking attention is a very universal thing now, because we lack a certain core confidence in ourselves, we don't believe that we intrinsically matter. Being on social media is kind of feeling the need to prove that we worth it to be alive. But the truth is: we're worth it, whatever other people say or think. We don't need social media. Not at all.

[SerraY]

I swear every video you make has such amazing points in it that I never considered; so now I have to go think about that for the next few weeks. The illusion of connecting with your friends is something that I didn't in a million years think about, but it's so true and seems obvious when you say it, but anyway I'm really so happy you found a balance with it!

[spet]

YESS! So supportive of this. As someone who has deliberately never joined instagram / twitter / tik tok, I am convinced that those types of social media platforms prevent you from really learning about yourself and growing. Now you get to enjoy all the freedom and be in the present moment! :)

[Dr_Analise]

I cherish mh privacy more than anything and the fact that I was thrown in my face with posts of everyones daily lives I was feeling the urge to post my life events too and I did ... But when random acquaintances met me in person and judged me or ruined the fun of me telling a new event. I decided I need my space and I left Facebook in 2016 and Instagram in 2020.. never been happier

[pranjanakaushik]

i feel the same and i've been going off and on on social media platforms. I think what's important is to live in the reality and make real connections .BTW love your content!!!!

[sunandamohandas]

I deleted my social media accounts 3 years back and now I completely agree it was really worth it.... You might fell empty and left out at the beginning but trust be when we learn to cope with that the journey with sail smooth

[Arafiey]

I love how empathetic and warm this video is on such a sensitive topic that many people are struggling with. Thank you Elizabeth for this, thank you for truly expressing how you feel, and that by itself deepens your genuine connection with the audience here. Loved every minute. Cheers.

[chriszayachkowski]

This is a very insightful video. You are correct in so many ways. Social media is toxic. It makes people feel worse and not better. It is a whole popularity game based on fake connections. It’s a sad world really. 😢