When I decided to quit social media for good—no more Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter—I was met with a lot of questions. My family and friends asked things like, “Won’t this hurt your business? What will you do when you’re bored without social media?” Honestly, I was frustrated and worried at first. Losing my personal social media accounts felt like stepping into the unknown. I also feel regretful about the more than 13 years I spent building my social media account and the memories there, like the old photos.
We’ve all been there: standing in line, feeling bored, and instinctively reaching for our phones. Within seconds, we’re scrolling through endless content, chasing the next dopamine hit. It’s no coincidence—we’re wired to get hooked. Social media platforms are designed to keep us engaged, learning from our behavior and serving up content that matches our interests. The algorithms know us better than we might realize, curating feeds tailored to our hobbies, careers, and daily thoughts. It’s not surprising that we spend hours each day locked into these platforms. But what happens when we step away?
Here’s what I’ve discovered since abandoning social media:
1. Reclaiming Time
The most immediate change I noticed was how much time I regained. Before, I spent 4–6 hours screen time per day on social media. Now, I use those hours to focus on more meaningful aspects of my life—things that bring me closer to my goals. Time is precious, and once I recognized how short life truly is, I couldn’t justify wasting those hours any longer. I became intentional with my time.
Instead of scrolling, I’m reading more, spending quality time with loved ones, and completing tasks in record time. What used to take me eight hours now takes two because I’m no longer distracted. I’ve also deepened my connection with God, spending more time in prayer and reflection. I firmly believe that quitting social media was part of His plan to help me focus on what truly matters. I now have plenty of time to focus on eating healthier, staying consistent with my workouts, and, most importantly, getting enough restful sleep at night. My attention span has grown exponentially as well.
2. Living Mindfully and Happily in the Present
Social media had me constantly thinking about the past and the future, crafting a version of myself to present to others. I was chasing validation—how could I top my last post? What would my followers think? Over time, I found myself comparing my life to others, which only led to frustration and anxiety. Why were others moving forward while I felt stuck? These constant comparisons bred self-doubt and even depression.
Research shows a strong link between social media usage and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Now, without the constant pressure to present a perfect image, I feel more content and present. Conversations with friends are more meaningful because I’m fully engaged, not distracted by my phone. Life without social media allows me to appreciate the moment instead of trying to document it. I was able to reconnect with myself on a deeper level, rediscovering who I truly am.
3. Recognizing the Illusion
Social media presents a filtered reality. We rarely see the struggles or the behind-the-scenes moments. Instead, we’re bombarded with celebrations, successes, and curated snapshots of happiness. I was guilty of this too—posting my highlight reel while hiding the hardships. Social media pushes us to portray idealized versions of ourselves, seeking validation in the form of likes and comments.
It’s freeing to no longer feel that pressure. I don’t need to project an image; I can simply be me.
4. Building Genuine Connections
Leaving social media helped me discover who my real friends are. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of likes and comments, but how many of those people are truly invested in your life? Without social media, I became more intentional about who I spend time with, focusing on real-life connections instead of virtual ones. I now prioritize deep, meaningful conversations with people who genuinely care about me.
I also started attending more in-person events, like business conferences, and rediscovered the value of face-to-face networking. Opportunities naturally flowed as I reconnected with people in a more authentic way.
5. No More FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Before, I was always eager to check my social media for the latest updates—what my friends were up to, what the news was saying, what trends I might be missing. Now, I’ve realized that ignorance is bliss. Not knowing what everyone else is doing brings a surprising amount of peace. And in turn, not sharing every moment of my life online is equally liberating. Without the constant noise, I’m more focused, creative, and productive in my work and personal life.
6. Our Data Is Being Sold
While social media platforms are free to use, the true cost is our personal data. Every click, like, and interaction is meticulously tracked and collected to create detailed profiles about us. This data is then sold to advertisers, allowing them to target us with hyper-specific ads that align with our interests and behavior. Essentially, we become the product.
The more time we spend on these platforms, the more data we generate, which in turn fuels their revenue model. It’s not just harmless ads—it’s an entire system designed to influence our preferences, decisions, and even emotions. From product recommendations to political campaigns, we are being subtly manipulated without even realizing it.
The fact that our personal information—what we like, where we go, who we interact with—is being commodified raises serious privacy concerns. What’s more troubling is that we often have little control over how this data is used or who has access to it. In a world where data is the new currency, we need to be more mindful of what we’re giving away in exchange for free access to these platforms.
In Conclusion
Social media can rob us of our time, happiness, sense of self, and even our safety. It fuels anxiety, loneliness, comparison, and perfectionism, and distracts us from building our own lives. Instead of scrolling through someone else’s highlight reel, we should be investing in our own growth and happiness.
If you’re curious about the impact of social media, I highly recommend watching The Social Dilemma on Netflix—it opened my eyes to the mechanics behind these platforms. And if you’re considering a social media detox, give it a try for a week. Be honest with yourself and see how it feels. You might just discover a whole new perspective.