When my first DS was tiny I found life very lonely and exhausting. I posted a few photos on Instagram (I had an Instagram but barely used it up to that point) and I remember vividly the first time someone commented on one of my photos that I didn’t know. She was in the same position as me, at home with a newborn who was actually born on the same day! It was an absolute lifeline making a friend in this way and we still chat 4.5 years later. Since then it has snowballed. I ‘know’ tens of online Mums and we chat and share snapshots of our lives. I have gotten to the point where I very rarely have my phone out of my hand and find I am obsessively checking Instagram and Facebook, sometimes it seems for no apparent reason at all. My DP has now said it has got to stop, it is affecting my ability to live in the here and now and he actually feels lonely as I don’t give him enough time. I agree with him, I’m impatient with the DC’s, constantly distracted, dying to find some time alone where I can sit and stare at my phone. I justified it to myself by thinking I’m documenting the time that the DC’s are small, but now they’re 4 and 2 and I’ve made some offline friends, I think now might be a good opportunity to step away and concentrate on my life and my family. I came off Facebook and Instagram on Saturday and I’m already finding my patience levels increasing and I’m finding time to read and get more done. So my AIBU is to ask if AIBU to think it’s possible for me to stay off social media for good given my level of addiction and to ask about your real life stories. Thank you!