A while ago, I decided to delete all my social media—no Instagram, no TikTok, no Facebook, not even Reddit.
What was supposed to be a short break ended up being 6 months.
Honestly, it changed my mind a lot.
I started focusing more, reading books, and spending my time on things that actually matter.
I didn’t even realize how addicted I was until I stopped.
If you’re thinking about taking a break or just curious about how it felt the good, the bad, and the boring ask me anything.
I deleted all my social media accounts for 6 months and it totally changed how I think. Ask me anything.
r/AMA
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What prompted you to stop in the first place?
How old are you?
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What were the main changes you experienced mentally?
Did you start any hobbies?
Have you returned? If so how have you managed your return? And why did you return?
how did u have the discipline
Why are you back
What are your favorite books?
dude same! i like hard deleted my meta accounts so i couldn’t go back… I didn’t realize how shitty wastefull it was for my time… It’s been amazing.. that trash is such a waste of time! Glad you got out too
Did not being on social media change how connected you felt to your friends? If so, in what way?
What was the impact on your relationships, friendships, family etc? (Group text threads that send a link to a social media vid you no longer open, friendships that stay active in DM’s, etc.)
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I feel like everyone should do this. My phone broke 2 weeks ago I didn’t even get a new one til now n it was actually nice not checking my social every 5 minutes.
did you find you lost touch with friends by doing this? or did you or they begin to reach out more because of your detox?
Well all the accounts except for Redit but still good for you I deleted all my accounts back in 2011
I did the same exact thing and now I ONLY have a reddit. It was eye opening. Everyone is CONSTANTLY on their phones being brainwashed by social media sites that push propaganda on them and I didn’t even realize just how bad it was until I stopped using them myself. It’s like…… I can live my life again. I no longer give a crap what other people think about what I’m doing or who I am. It’s SO MUCH BETTER being off social media.
OP, which was the hardest to give up?
I didn’t delete my accounts, but I have an app blocker installed on my phone. The limit is 24 hr blocks but once it gives you the notification that the block has ended, you can just restart it. It’s been EXTREMELY helpful for me. My longest streak has been 3 weeks, I still go on instagram every other day or so but I only scroll for 15 min or so and then restart the app blocker. I realized I’m like an alcoholic and if I let myself scroll, I’ll end up just looking at BS for two hours straight. Also ever since the administration change and something crazy happening every day, I get really anxious and depressed. Another reason to avoid social media for me.
Earlier I turned off tiktok. Will turn off others too. Was wasting time and ignoring other things. Time will tell how this works out.
I did this a year ago and I’m only back on Reddit. I try to avoid the news too. You stop giving a fuck about other people that you shouldn’t care about and start focusing on important things. If people are that important to you, you will text or call them. A huge eye opening moment. Do you think you will remove them again?
-How did you think before and how do you think now.?
Who’d you vote for prior to this?
Who would you vote for now?
I live alone and don’t watch TV. My main source of news is social media, primarily Twitter. When I check the news on twitter, I often find myself scrolling through other content on the app, and I can end up staying there for an hour or two.
I’m not a news junkie, but I feel like I need to stay informed about what’s happening around the globe.
How would you approach such scenario?
Been over 5 plus years for me the only thing I use is Reddit. Best thing ever I never plan on using them rubbish platforms again.
Pretty much the only reason i have social media is to keep up to date with things happening in my area, bands touring etc (as so much of this is announced on SM and websites barely exist). Do you feel like you were ‘missing’ things like that ? Or does this not really register for you anyway?
Quitting smoking was easier than quitting Facebook and Instagram. The only social media that I use is Reddit, I had to get away from everything else. I was getting so much anxiety from it during covid times. It was a huge relief walking away from all that stuff.
Same, deleting facebook is life changing
The only thing keeping me from this is that I live alone in a city where I don’t know anyone, my friends and family Are far away and I want to stay in touch. What do I do?
do you have any other addictions that you would like to try to overcome?
Do you actively still use Reddit? Have you stopped other habits similar to social media/scrolling, like TV and Video Games?
I did the same thing about a year ago Havnt gone back except Reddit I don’t consider it the same as fb or insta but I love it and won’t ever go back
I would like to ask you how to express your desire to share some things in life? I usually use social media to share (sharing with others usually gets cold water, so I choose to throw it all on my social media).
Would u say u feel happier or at peace?
Not trying to toot my horn here.. I’ve been off Facebook since 2015, Instagram since last year. I got a reddit a couple of years ago. It’s a much more manageable existence.
Will you stop again if you notice you start to fall into the same patterns that made you quit in the first place?
Did you delete Reddit and are you using the app or web browser?
I’ll be back in 6months
I just have reddit and YouTube. I cancelled everything, but I seem to spend the same amount of time on my phone. How would you do?
I find that the more I try to curate Facebook to show only what appeals to me (animal sanctuary posts, gaming, pro inclusive posts, no politics, etc) the more I see RELAVANT posts, but the opposite to what I want (posts slamming animals sanctuaries, posts about anti inclusive people, posts about how terrible the state of politics are, etc).
It’s like Facebook says “we see you like circles, cool. Look at how terrible these squares are!”.
That’s why I’ll do this too. But it doesn’t get rid of the “you’re just hiding from the truth!” folk around you unfortunately.
Do you think everyone should delete all of their social media?
Have you quit porn too?
What are your current “rules” for social media
I wish I could do this but I work in marketing 😂
I don’t even like fb, but it’s the only way I have to stay in touch with some people, I’d miss them if I deleted it.
How did you overcome that?
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