Moving Away from Social Networks

In today’s digital age, social media has become a ubiquitous presence in our lives. From Facebook to Twitter to TikTok, it seems like there is a platform for everyone. However, as much as these platforms can bring us joy and connection, they can also be a source of stress and distraction. And as we’re approaching New Year, you may want to change your digital habits to make the next year healthier and calmer!

Almost a year ago I decided to turn off as much of this stress as possible by removing the apps and logging off from nearly all social platforms. It was a decision that I had been thinking about for a while, but I was hesitant to actually follow through with it. I was worried about missing out on important updates and events, and I was concerned about how it would affect my relationships with others.

In this short note, I just wanted to gather all the findings I got from this year. There are both positive and negative outcomes and I’m certainly not going to convince anybody to do anything, your mileage may vary.

Theory

One of the main ways that social media can harm our mental health is by fostering a culture of comparison. We are constantly bombarded with images of people’s seemingly perfect lives, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, as we may feel that we don’t measure up to the standards set by others on social media.

Another negative effect of social media is that it can contribute to a lack of real-life social connections. While we may have hundreds or even thousands of “friends” on social media, these relationships are often superficial and lack the depth and intimacy of in-person interactions. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and social isolation, which have been linked to a range of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

In addition, social media can also contribute to a cycle of constant distractions and multitasking. It’s easy to get caught up in the endless scroll of news feeds, notifications, and likes, which can prevent us from focusing on the present moment and being fully present in our daily lives. This can lead to feelings of stress and overwhelm, as well as a decrease in productivity.

My Story (short version)

I knew about all these negative aspects for a while and I started noticing that more and more of my time is spent being distracted by some “news” or thoughts on how to respond to some “outrages” events. When in reality they may not be that important for my personal life. A lot of times I felt anxious and sad, and my heart rate was higher than it should be at rest.

What was done

• Completely moved away from “direct” social networks like Facebook, Instagram, VK, etc
• Muting/archiving/leaving all the chats with toxic discussions on Telegram, WhatsApp
• Reducing the number of subreddits I follow on Reddit (unfollowing the ones with political agendas)
• Unsubscribing from all the youtube channels with political agendas (leaving only fun and educational content)

Positive Outcomes

As I began my social media detox, I quickly realized that there were many benefits to be gained from moving away from these platforms. Here are a few of the things that I experienced:

• More time: Without the constant notifications and temptation to check my feeds, I found that I had more time to focus on other things. I was able to spend much more time on my hobbies, and with my wife and dog!
• Improved mental health: Being constantly bombarded with images of perfect lives and the pressure to be an ideal version of myself, I often felt that I do something not for me. Taking a break from these platforms gave me the opportunity to focus on my own well-being and to engage with the world in a more genuine and authentic way. At the end of the day, we’re so tiny particles in this universe.
• Understanding that the world is good (and people are generally not evil): media creates a picture that the world is getting worse even though all the meaningful metrics show that it’s not true (people around the globe have better access to education/medicine/basic hygiene/etc). You quickly understand that people generally want to do good.

Negative Outcomes

• Decreased access to information: I get the majority of news from friends and family, but it always feels a little awkward when you chat with them or colleagues and notice that you missed something big (e.g. I didn’t know about the death of Queen Elizabeth until it was discussed in one of the meetings). Obviously, I can search for information after I know what I need to know (but I need to know what to search for!)
• Loss of social connections: people won’t post you directly about their lives, I didn’t expect that. But I underestimated how lonely and isolated you may feel when everyone knows that something important happened with your friend but you don’t.

Tips

If you don’t have any problem with social networks — don’t bother, just live life in whatever way you like! There is no silver bullet, everyone is so different. But if you have, there are some tips for using social media in a healthy way

• Set limits on your social media use. Try to limit the amount of time you spend on social media each day, and consider setting specific times for checking your accounts (turn off instant notifications!).
• Take breaks from social media. Consider taking a break from social media for a set period of time, such as a week or a month. This can help you to reset your relationship with social media and give you a chance to focus on other aspects of your life.
• Be mindful of your social media habits. Pay attention to how you feel when you use social media, and try to be aware of any negative emotions that may arise. If you notice that social media is causing you stress or anxiety, it may be time to take a break.
• Live your life! Don’t pretend to be someone else!

Conclusion

Overall, my experience of moving away from social media has been overwhelmingly positive. It has allowed me to refocus my priorities and value the things that truly matter in life. Of course, this isn’t to say that social media is inherently bad — it can be a great tool for staying connected with others and for sharing information. However, it is important to remember that it is just one aspect of our lives and to find a healthy balance that works for us.

I’m not sure if I return to some social networks or re-subscribe to some channels in the nearest future, but my media hygiene will definitely evolve. I’ll try to adapt my preferences to maximize the benefits of the modern digital world without affecting my mental health. If you have your own methods — feel free to share!