Life AFTER DELETING Social Media: Here's What I've Realized

It's been two months since I deleted Instagram and Tik Tok and there have been some real *eye opening* moments. Here's a recap of what life has been like without these social media apps in my life - the good and the bad. Watch until the end for a mention of the new photo sharing app I'm loving!

00:00 // here we are
00:47 // 2 weeks - replacing one bad habit with another
03:06 // 4 weeks - identifying why I was reaching for my phone so much
06:59 // 8 weeks - feeling the benefits

📲 WHY I QUIT SOCIAL MEDIA

🌱 7 WAYS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH

💸 HOW I'M SAVING MONEY THIS YEAR

- L E T ' S C O N N E C T -

#digitalminimalism #socialmediadetox quitting social media, deleting social media, social media detox, quitting instagram, quitting tik tok, digital minimalism, social media free, living offline

[HaleyVillena]

Have you quit any social media apps? How do you use your scroll-free time now? 🤳🏽

[kmars]

I definitely feel YouTube is a place to escape to, at the same time you learn something while being on it.

[RaiCanadaLife]

I deactivated my social media recently. My brain was foggy, I especially didn’t realize how depressed I was, and now a couple weeks, it feels so free. Being addicted to shopping as well, I became more aware of how I’m spending my money, I got addicted to reading ACTUAL books, focusing on graphic design and writing. Every day has gotten more enjoyable. ❤

[elliemichel]

I deleted my Facebook two months ago and I just deleted my Instagram for the tenth time, yesterday. I’m just tired of posting for others who I barely talk to. I had to realize that people on Instagram aren’t my friends.

[ADSCoachSimonB]

I been saying this for years, I removed social media, built my own website, I removed my TV and all my services subscriptions, I listen to music on vinyl and journal a lot, read books and study and write, in the process of writing a self help book and workshops, I use a Polaroid camera to take pictures, I send post cards to people friends and family, I use a dump flip phone, but use a iPad Pro and MacBook Air for my business and general life. I trail walk with a pack ride a motorcycle and exercise regularly. I listen mainly to music on YouTube and set a time limit. If I buy an item I need to use it.

[NhiPhan-ljmz]

I deleted my social media 2 months a go, and I realized I should've done it earlier. Social media was wasting my time and gave me anxiety. Then I began to hit the gym without my phone, and do anything like travel and studied tons of new things without my phone. So good!

[philip]

I love that young people are finding their own language around these addictions. Love this.

[dj_bubbs-TXQ]

It’s been over 2 years since I left social media. I have no regrets at all.

I used it in my early teens as I thought it was good to unite with people who I’ve met during school and college, and I thought it was going to bring people together. but after a while in my late teens, there was a lot of things that I realised that we’re not good and was having an really negative impact on me.

I got sick & tired of people gossiping, causing drama, negativity & people faking their lives & friendships and sharing everything that should be kept private or craving attention with provocative pictures, posts & selfies.

A number of things I realised:

1. People who added me as “Friends” didn’t really care about me. They were “So called Friends” it was just to increase their friends list.

2. When people were going through their hardest times of anxiety, trauma and upset, I went out of my way & made an effort by helping & supporting them. But when I was going through my hardest times, including anxiety, trauma and stress. The people who I helped & supported never reached out to me to help or supported me even when I struggled. Everything has become one sided.

3. Certain posts or videos get blown out of proportion or completely taken out of context even if it’s nothing negative.

4. People lie about the amount of friends they REALLY have. Who in the REAL world has 100s or 1000s of friends WHO??

5. Communication is very one sided. The same person had to make the first move to start a conversation as the other person doesn’t make an effort themselves or just can’t be bothered.

6. People lie about their lives, they only show the positive side of theirs lives which doesn’t show the REAL truth about the person. You can’t tell and don’t see if someone is REALLY depressed, upset, isolated, lonely, feeling suicidal or what’s actually going on in their actual lives. Even if people post it on social media on how they REALLY feel, people don’t always care or not interested.

7. It makes people fake and insecure. It’s not just school kids or teenagers in schools, colleges, universities or workplaces doing it, but grown adults as well are also being fake & insecure, especially managers.

8. People compare themselves to others just to get loads of “Likes” & comments.

9. Social media has increased loneliness, isolation, anxiety and depression which can be severe, and sometimes suicides

10. Due to social media and the increase in technology, it’s causing destruction & destroying peoples lives in the sense of their is no sense of unity, community, love and nobody wants to help each other. If they see someone doing something constructive and productive and they’re doing well in a community or society, people will laugh at them in an act of ignorance, and cannot wait for them to fall down. Social media is dividing people, not bringing people together.

11. Having a proper conversation or being real is considered not normal and people think it’s creepy. People don’t like having real conversations.

12. It’s made people to be narcissists, entitlement, ignorant, prejudice and bullies.

13. People can say things or make comments that are abusive, racist, sexist, ignorant, prejudice, misogynist, homophobia, xenophobia, discrimination openly online, rather than to your face.

14. I have seen Boys & Girls take provocative, selfies / pictures just to get attention from so called friends / strangers, sometimes in a negative way, for example, woman having their boobs / chests hanging out, body image, men & women showing off muscles, six pack & more. Why would you do that to 100s or 1000s on your friends list that you don’t really know. Even if you post it in public.

15. Businesses and companies like theatres, special effects companies and more are now doing this as well, they will sometimes arrogantly post positive images of the work they do. And sometimes they will post things that they think they do, but they don’t, for example, some companies say that they support mental health and care for peoples mental well-being. Or they support women in work, claiming to be Disability confident. People have to REALLY question why they would put that on there social media post. As it could be because they are not doing it and that’s their way of saying that they are doing it, but in REALITY they are not or don’t REALLY care. In businesses and with companies people have to ask themselves are they presenting? or are they advertising?

16. With social media & the young generation with regards to friendships, people feel that if they add someone as friend request and they accept it, or meet someone & they click with them straightaway they automatically think that’s “friends for life” people need to realise that’s not how friendship REALLY works.

Friendships are & should always be a 2-way street. Real friendships would make the effort to support & be there for each other through the good times, fun times but also through hard times, sad times, upsetting times (even if your friend was in hospital going through surgery or operation) & more. Communication & making an effort should be equal on both sides. Not the same person who always makes first contact. The other person should also make an effort too.

We need to ALL learn the skill set of when we suffer from stress, anxiety, trauma, facing problems & more, that we should reach out to our friends, family or professionals for help & support, NOT turn to social media, drugs or Alcohol.

17. Our young generation has grown up addicted. They have been addicted to mobile phones, alcohol, drugs, social media & more at a young age It’s very sad.

We are seeing the negative impact of what social media is doing, but we are not really reacting to it.

I never had TikTok, Twitter or Instagram. Glad I didn’t sign up to any of them. Facebook was the only social media platform I had and it was recommended to me back when I was in my teens.

I only use YouTube as I can look at interesting things like cooking recipes and motivation videos and music videos of festivals & concerts and more fun stuff.

I enjoy going out in nature walks, bowling listening to music and learning new hobbies and watching movies.

Since leaving it’s been the best decision of my life. I enjoy life more, I can now enjoy doing the things I do or want to try without being judged or told what to do without being made to feel guilty.

I feel more happier and a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I think if social media disappeared forever, I can guarantee people will spend REAL quality time with friends and family. People will know who their REAL friends are and that they will do things together and have a good time doing it. I also feel that people will have proper conversations and listen and engage.

I do feel sorry for our young generation. The young generation is lost. There is so much talent and ideas in young people and they need to show that in a positive & constructive way. We can make change for the future. The young generation needs real positive role models to look up to, for them to succeed in life & beyond.

[KatieMovchan]

I’m 5.5 years without social media, it’s been life changing 👍🤗

[Haslinda]

I deleted my socials and fell in love with journaling again. When i was younger i used to journal and stopped and now i know why i enjoyed so much back then. To reflect and express my deepest thoughts and feelings on a nonjudgmental way on a piece of paper.

[omgsadaiqa]

For me, it's not just Instagram. It's the fact that I spend so much time on my phone, I am not looking at the sky and my surroundings anymore. I can feel how disconnected I am from reality. My head is heavy and my entire body feels overwhelmed because there's too much noice and unnecessary never ending consumption. My mind feels sooo unstimulated when I managed to pull myself away from my phone, I feel like I am breathing and alive again.

[Shesahappygal]

I love this so much! Especially because I recently logged out of all of my social media accounts a week ago. I am much in control of my time, and more present with my husband and my dog. I am focusing on educating myself more instead of just doom scrolling. I do not like how social media makes you think you need “more” when you have everything in front of you. Comparison is always gonna be there. I agree with your statement towards the end of the video, “my life as it is enough” ☺️ We all just need to have that sense of ‘enough’.

[avyia]

I deleted TikTok a few days ago and Instagram and Facebook today. No more scrolling and ignore my favourite hobbys 😭🖤 I was often so depressed because of all this scrolling and looking at the videos/pictures (with texts) which fit my mood... That was always so dangerous. Today I were outside for a walk and I didn't touched my phone once. I am free now and want to love my new life.

[dailydoseofchaoslol]

I've had literally enough.
I met so insanely rude people on social media that a kindergarten throwing a fit over some nonsense is nothing.
I'm considering quiting.

[hollyashton]

Thanks for sharing that app! I used to love Instagram when it was only still photos. I found it very calming & inspiring. Now, influencers pitching products have taken over the app along with reels. Ugh! I have gone long lengths of time inactive on fb but I’ve joined a few fb groups I do enjoy a bit. I mostly was on fb to follow family but I’ve really noticed that very few of my peers (I’m in my 50’s) are sharing anything personal & authentic any more. So I’m thrilled I turned to YouTube a couple years ago. I agree, I find long form content much more thoughtful & insightful. Glad I found your channel!!

[lowcarbcarnivore]

Ironically, it was tiktok that lead me to the decision to quit/detox from
Social media. I came across a video of a lady who was doing a social media detox after reading Dopamine Nation. So, I ordered the audible version, listened over Easter weekend and committed to no social media for 90 days. Today is day 7. Day 4 I was crawling in my skin, which surprised me.
As I watched your video today, I’ve noticed that
A) I watched the entire video without feeling distracted.
B) I felt it was helpful and I wanted to engage and share my thoughts and say thank you for sharing your experience.
I look forward to each day and how it will transform because of this one simple choice I made, and kept.

[carriefinn]

I resonated with everything you said. I deleted every social media account in April and I'm going through the phase of using YouTube a little too much, so I think I may need to delete that from my phone for now. I just didn't say anything to anyone when I got off, and no one has seemed to notice I was no longer there.

The longer I'm off of social media, the more I realize how odd it is that everyone wants everyone else to know how "great" their life is. It feels good to be living my life for me and to be able to give all my attention and energy to my family.

My husband took me on a surprise weekend getaway last month, and instead of posting, I had them printed and added them to an old-school photo album. It was so much fun! Highly recommend.

[tory_y]

It’s funny because when you said you noticed you started using YouTube a lot more, I remembered that that’s also how I am. I deleted my most used social media app and immediately YouTube shorts and entertainment videos on YouTube started taking my attention. Thank you for this video. It brought back my awareness 😅

[dargoismean]

Smartest thing I've done in a long time. Been off social media for 2 years. I wish I could quit my phone.

[collagecult]

The impulsive shopping is one of the lesser known and under appreciated aspects of our time on social media. And not just shopping but seeing food and all kinds of things that come into our awareness that we now suddenly crave.