What benefits could you gain from quitting social media? Read on to find out my experience.

I spent almost all of my teens, and most of my 20s, spending hours a day on social media. Specifically, I spent hours on Facebook. I opened a Facebook account when I was 14 and for over a decade, I got on almost every single day.

And yet, somewhere along the way, I realized that I didn’t actually like it.

It sucked up so much of my time, preventing me from getting work done or doing things I would rather be doing. It messed with my perception of myself, because I was constantly comparing myself to my Facebook friends (many of whom weren’t actually my real “friends” offline).

It prevented me from enjoying the present moment, because I was always thinking about what I could post on Facebook about the experiences I was having (a funny status update? a flattering photo?).

It stole thousands and thousands of hours from me, and finally, I decided I had enough.

I made the decision that I wouldn’t get on social media for three months. At that time, I was leaving to live in Italy for three months, and I didn’t want my Italian adventure to be ruined by the negativity, comparison, or time-wasting that Facebook always supplied me.

After that three months ended, I loved not using Facebook so much that, well, I just didn’t get back on it.

Now, 6 years later, quitting social media has made my life oh-so-much better.

Here’s what I’ve gained from quitting social media:

1. I compare myself less to others.

I used to get on Facebook and look at the photos of my high school acquaintances and constantly compare myself to them. I would feel bad about myself because I didn’t have as prestigious a career as them, a nice house like theirs, or cute kids like they had.

Sometimes, I would compare myself to others and think that I was better than them, which was no good either.

Since quitting social media, I spend a lot less time looking around and more time looking forward on my own path. 

I’ve discovered that some things that I thought I wanted, I didn’t actually want.

And some things that I felt pressure to be striving towards, I realized that maybe life doesn’t have to be that way (like working a traditional 9-5 job, in my case).

I’ve spent more time working on myself and my accomplishments without worrying so much about others.

Partly because of that…

2. I like myself more.

I don’t get down on myself because my life doesn’t look like someone else’s.

Social media gave me 100 reasons to think I wasn’t good enough or that other people were better than me.

Removing that from my life has helped me like myself so much more.

Plus, I don’t feel any self-loathing or guilt for wasting too much of my time, something I used to feel back when I wasted hours on end scrolling through Facebook’s newsfeed.

I’ve learned how to be kinder to myself, because I’m spending more time with me, not with virtual pictures of people I barely know.

3. I have more time to do things I actually enjoy.

When it comes down to it, I didn’t actually get very much enjoyment from scrolling on Facebook. My brain seemed to think I did, but I never felt fulfilled afterwards.

It wasn’t until I quit social media that I remembered how much I like doing things that aren’t Facebook.

I love being outside. I love reading mystery books. I love creating art projects. I love playing the piano and singing. 

All of those things bring me way more joy and fulfillment than scrolling on my phone.

4. I feel less anxiety over things I can’t control.

I’ll be honest, back when I used Facebook, it was my main source of world news. Posts about the latest political drama, school violence, or wars happening across the world would crowd my newsfeed, and it honestly would cause me some anxiety at times.

When I stopped using social media, I missed out on hearing a lot of pieces of news. 

Do I miss it? Not. At. All.

Now, I get my news when I want to get it, from websites or sources that I trust. I no longer see the frantic posts and comments from people I barely know.

5. I’m more creative.

Instead of consuming all the time, I actually create things. 

When I’m not constantly being stimulated by posts and updates, I have remembered what it’s like to feel bored. 

Boredom often leads to creativity. Now that scrolling isn’t my default free-time activity, I am constantly coming up with ways to have fun and express myself.

I’ve created books and websites, learned graphic design, took up painting, and learned a whole bunch of new skills.

My brain feels more agile and imaginative now that it’s not dulled by the constant diet of status updates.

6. I have more energy.

I didn’t realize how much of an energy-suck Facebook was until I quit. 

Frequently being stimulated by pictures and updates of people you barely know takes a serious toll on your mental energy. So does constantly thinking about what you could post online.

Plus, staying up late scrolling on Facebook was an all-too-frequent habit that messed up my sleep and my energy levels.

Now, I fill my time with things that actually energize me, like doing what I love or moving my body. Instead of feeling blech and lazy after a scroll-session on Facebook, I feel productive and proud of the things with which I fill my time.

Conclusion

Almost every aspect of my life is better since quitting social media. I’m happier, more confident, less anxious, more energetic and creative, and so much more.

I can honestly say that I don’t miss it AT ALL. My only regret is that I didn’t stop using it sooner!

The thing is, most people have a desire to quit social media (or at least cut back on how much they use it), but they don’t know where to start.

It’s hard to simply use your willpower to follow a vague goal like “I want to get on social media less.”

If you’re in this boat, my advice to you is to set a very specific vision for yourself and set up systems to help you succeed. Check out my course, Take Control of Your Phone, to learn more about the psychology of phone use and how to reclaim control over your brain’s reward system.

Other tips:

Check out this article to learn how to use your phone with intention.

Check out this article to learn how to stop doomscrolling as soon as you realize you’re doing it.

Check out this article to learn how much time you could save by giving up social media and one other thing.

If you’ve ever considered quitting social media, I say JUST DO IT. It may be the best gift you ever give yourself.

Best of luck!