No matter who you are, or how social media has or hasn’t affected you, I guarantee I can give you a few compelling reasons you should stop using social media. Not just by taking a break—although that can be a good start—but by leaving it. Forever.
The problem with profiles
A person’s Instagram profile is only a representation of how they want to be seen by others. By looking through someone’s profile, you get a sense of the person they wish you to think of them as. It’s almost vulnerable in that way.
Before I stopped posting, I noticed how non-Instagram-worthy my life was compared to the lives of my old pals from high school, who always seemed to be surrounded by friends and having fun. I’d judge myself and my life harshly; even after recognizing that people only posted their best moments, I noticed that some people sure seemed to be having a lot of them.
I’d also worry that people would notice my lack of activity and make unflattering assumptions about my life, as if anyone thinks about me that hard!
This was part of the reason I made a post announcing that I wouldn’t be using my account anymore back in 2023. I didn’t enjoy the app or the delusional level of insecurity it entrenched in me. This was my first step away from social media.
Social media feeds the ego
I never really vibed with image-based or video-based social media platforms, but for a long time, I was an avid Redditor. During periods of unemployment or relative isolation, my usage would skyrocket, and I’ll admit I was a fairly popular and well-known user. Make fun of me all you like!
I enjoyed the opportunity to write and be funny. It fed my craving for approval, and when I couldn’t walk for nine months after a trimalleolar ankle fracture, it offered me a sense of community.
On Reddit, I’d argue with people and ruminate on those arguments even after they were over and I was doing other things. I’d even scroll and read posts while watching TV shows I enjoyed. For hours after reading some really mind-numbing discourse, I’d feel genuine despair over the sorry state of humanity. Such fun.
When I decided to take back my capacity for mindfulness and relinquish the egoic perception of the self that Reddit fed, I knew I needed to deactivate my account if I was to actually stay off it, as opposed to just announcing my departure. So I did it upon my first impulse, knowing that if I gave myself time to think it over, I’d find some excuse not to. I did the same thing with Tumblr later on.
I’d advise anyone who wants to leave social media to delete their accounts on platforms that they feel a strong attachment to, rather than just deleting the apps. Not just because you might download them again later, but because the soothing effect of relinquishment can only be felt if you’ve completely relinquished what you’re attached to.
I’ve never regretted deleting my Reddit account or even my 12-year-old Tumblr account, because the benefits of having done it far outweigh any value those apps offered me.
With that being said, here are 10 reasons you should consider leaving social media, too.
10 benefits of leaving social media
You won’t need to prove anything
Having nobody know where you are or what you’re up to unless you’ve actually connected with them and told them is so freeing. Let people reach out to you directly to catch up.
You won’t have to deal with trolls
It’s relaxing not to have to see the stupid stuff people (or, more likely, bots) have to say. There’s a lot of negativity online, and if you leave that space, you’ll find your mood and outlook on life get a little brighter.
You’ll reduce your exposure to advertising
Remember kids, if a service is free, you’re the product! Do you really want Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and others of their ilk making money from selling access to your eyes? Besides, ads suck.
You’ll improve your ability to tolerate boredom
There was a time it was genuinely difficult for me to do nothing for more than a few minutes without pulling out my phone, but the habit of pulling my phone out whenever I was idle robbed me of my chance to think, recharge, rest and ground myself.
You’ll have more time to enjoy your life
Time always flies by quicker than we think it will—even more so when we’re on our phones. Less time on social media means more time to make the most of your life.
You can get news on your terms
Without social media, it feels great not to be exposed to the constant stream of despair and catastrophizing people often stumble across online. You can support journalism and read the news when you’ve mindfully made the choice to, while avoiding the disinformation that runs rampant on social media apps.
You may sleep better
Reducing your exposure to blue light during the day, as well as before bed, has been shown to improve sleep. And you may find yourself in a better, more relaxed mood when you stop using social media, which will make it easier to sleep as well.
You’ll likely have more energy
Using social media isn’t a relaxing leisure activity, even if it sounds like it at first. It’s actually exhausting.
To understand this for yourself, try being mindful of how your body feels during and after your time spent scrolling, and then repeat this mindfulness exercise during and after doing nothing for the same length of time.
I bet you’ll find doing nothing more energizing than scrolling.
You can stop judging yourself through others’ eyes
Life is hard enough without feeling like you have an audience to impress. Not being exposed to images of other people’s seemingly perfect lives makes it easier to feel gratitude for your own life.
You’ll enjoy the freeing bliss of presence
In his book The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle describes spending a year sitting on a park bench in ecstasy. Why did he do this? He discovered the freedom that comes with letting go of thinking about the past and future and being fully mindful of the present moment instead.
Without breaks in your presence to look at an app on a screen, it’ll be possible for you to maintain mindfulness for much more of your day.
You may notice other advantages
This is by no means a complete list of the benefits of leaving social media, just the ones that applied the most to me. If you think social media is negatively interfering with your life, I suggest leaving and discovering the myriad of benefits for yourself.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians. Please refer to the full text of our medical disclaimer.
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