Leaving social media feels like I’m being catapulted into another universe. I never realized how deeply dependent we are on social media for communication and staying connected with friends and family. I haven’t even left yet, but I’m already bracing myself for the impact.
Think about it: when you wake up in the morning and check your phone, do you open social media? When you have a free moment at work, do you scroll through an app? When you get into bed, do you drift off to sleep with your phone in hand? If I’m honest, my answer would be “yes” to all three.
To prepare for my departure from the digital world, I’ve taken a few steps:
- I’ve been exploring other ways to entertain myself.
- I’ve reached out to people I want to stay in touch with, letting them know they can call or text me.
- I’ve been actively spending less time on my phone.
While searching for alternatives to social media, I rediscovered an old favorite from college: Google Scholar. Back then, I used it to find research and scientific articles for school projects. Now, as I dedicate more time to learning, it’s become a treasure trove of fascinating studies. For example, I came across an intriguing article that inspired my piece about how we have to be “hot” to date in the 21st century.
I’ve also started reaching out to people I don’t text often but want to keep in my life. Most of my friends and family already have my phone number, so if they genuinely want to connect, they can call or text me—or even check out this website. I’ve told some friends about my plan to leave social media and assured them that I value our connection. If I’ve mentioned this to you, it means I want to stay in touch—not because I’m professing love, but because I’d rather interact directly than rely on occasional online exchanges.
This brings me to why leaving social media feels like leaving the planet. A friend of mine joked, “It’s like NASA is sending you to Mars.” He’s not wrong! If you want to keep up with me, you’ll need to actively reach out or visit my website. No more passive scrolling to stay updated on my life.
Social media often creates the illusion of connection, but how often do we truly engage? For instance, I have friends on Facebook who post frequently, yet I haven’t seen their updates in over a year. Meanwhile, I see every post from others who rarely share. The algorithm decides who we “keep up with,” often without conscious input.
My website allows me to track page views and general engagement, but it doesn’t reveal personal details. If you truly want to stay in touch, you’ll need to take that extra step and reach out. For this reason, I’m keeping Facebook Messenger, so people who don’t have my number can still contact me. That said, I’d prefer you text or call if you have my number.
To those I’ve given my number: please reach out! I enjoy meaningful conversations and am genuinely interested in getting to know you better. If you’ve known me as a shy person in the past, just know I’ve grown and matured. When I ask questions, it’s because I care about learning the real you—not just the version you present to the world.
As for those who think my decision to leave social media is concerning: I appreciate your care, but I promise I’m okay. In fact, shouldn’t the reverse be true? Spending countless hours on social media might be a sign that it’s worth reflecting on how it impacts your mental well-being. For me, stepping away is a chance to invest in personal growth and make better use of my time.
To anyone who chooses not to stay in touch, I still wish you the best. If you’re pursuing a goal or making big changes, I’m cheering you on from afar. Manifest the life you want and take action toward your dreams.
Thank you for reading!
God bless you all.