Why I Quit Social Media, and You Should Too

Are you tired of feeling constantly distracted and disconnected? Are you looking to make positive changes in your life and live more intentionally? If you haven’t already, you should consider quitting social media.

For me personally, quitting social media was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Back in 2019, I felt lost. My phone was ruling my life, I had no hobbies, and I felt stressed at the best of times. I started looking for any answers I could find, and found that my relationship with social media had become unhealthy.

Once I got off the various platforms that had been sucking me in night after night, I was able to focus better on my studies and my work, and my mental health improved significantly. I was also able to spend more quality time with my family and friends, and I felt a sense of liberation from the constant pressure to present a perfect image online.

In his book Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport argues that quitting social media is a necessary step to achieve a better balance in our digital lives. This post will outline why you need to quit social media, the benefits you’ll see, and a step-by-step on how to do it. For a more in-depth guide and other intentional living posts, check out Attempting Intention.

3 Reasons to quit social media 

Constant distraction: 

Every time we receive a notification, our brain is trained to respond to it, leading to a never-ending cycle of checking our feeds and losing focus on the task at hand. This constant distraction can make it difficult to focus on important tasks and can even lead to decreased productivity.

Negative effects on mental health: 

Studies have shown that excessive use of social media can lead to increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Social media can also lead to a distorted sense of reality, as people tend to only post the highlights of their lives, leading to feelings of inadequacy and unrealistic expectations.

Loss of privacy: 

Social media platforms collect and use a lot of personal data, which can be used for targeted advertising or even sold to third-party companies. Quitting social media can help regain control over your personal information.

3 Benefits of quitting social media 

Increased focus and productivity: 

Without the constant distraction of notifications and feeds, you will be able to focus better on important tasks and increase your productivity.

Improved mental health: 

Quitting social media can lead to decreased feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, as well as a more positive body image and self-esteem.

Better relationships: 

Without the constant pressure to present a perfect image online, you will be able to focus more on building real-life connections with the people around you.

How to quit social media 

Start by evaluating your current social media use: 

Write down how much time you spend on each platform and what you use them for. Identify which platforms are the most distracting or negative for you and prioritize those for quitting.

Set a goal: 

Decide on a date when you want to quit social media and make a plan for how to achieve this goal.

Do a digital detox: 

The most effective way of reevaluating your social media use is to completely quit using all non-essential technology and give your brain a break. Once you’ve done the detox, you can come back and objectively see whether the technology is bringing you more benefit than detriment, and decide how to let it back into your life.

Take small steps: 

If the thought of trying to quit cold turkey makes you feel ill, try reducing your social media use gradually. Start by limiting the time you spend on social media each day and gradually decrease it until you reach your goal.

Find alternative activities: 

Instead of mindlessly scrolling through your feeds, find other activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. This can be anything from reading a book, going for a walk, or spending time with friends and family.

Quitting social media is not easy, and it may take time and effort to adjust to the changes. But by taking small steps and finding alternative activities, you can regain control over your digital life and make positive changes in your life.

If you want to live more intentionally, quitting social media is a necessary step. By evaluating your current social media use, setting a goal, and taking small steps, you can regain control over your digital life and improve your focus, productivity, and mental health. It’s time to leave social media behind and start living life on your own terms.

About the Author: Hayley Grace writes at Attempting Intention where she empowers others to attempt an intentional life through posts on personal growth, minimalism, and intentional living.