AIBU?
Have you come off Instagram/Facebook? Why and how is it?
Lieby · 21/10/2018 19:15
I’ve recently, well for ages, been irritated with myself for falling so easily down a scroll hole. Social media feels like such an addiction! So, big step, I deleted both from my phone 6 weeks ago. It’s going well, except, I now spend ages reading news apps over and over, and generally surfing. I need help! Anyone found similar?
IncyWincyGrownUp · 21/10/2018 19:23
I deactivated Facebook last week for the sake of my sanity. It’s not too bad, but I’m missing keeping up with some far-away friends. If I feel better in a few weeks/months I might pop back, but the break will hopefully have made it so I don’t check so often.
UnderMajorDomoMinor · 21/10/2018 19:24
Deactivated Facebook a few months back to avoid mindless scrolling. Expected to miss it, didn’t. Expected to miss out on stuff, haven’t. Dunno why I didn’t do it sooner!
RPC28 · 21/10/2018 19:25
Both me and my partner deleted ALL social media. Facebook Instagram snapchat Twitter the lot. 3 years ago and both of us have never gone back on it. Best thing we have ever done. No one knows our business unless we tell them. Me and my partner talk and interact more with each other. I'm not seeing the same shit on my feed everyday and no one is arguing. Stress free life 😁 Facebook and social media's can become an addiction and life is so much better with out it.
WhirlyGigWhirlyGig · 21/10/2018 19:25
I've done it many times, last time was a couple of months. That was enough to detox me and I've never gone back to endless checking and scrolling.
Nuggetsandwich · 21/10/2018 19:25
I haven't had Facebook for over a year now and I don't miss it at all. Still have Insta though, and also find myself here more these days (had an extended MN break for years prior to closing facebook). I keep thinking about getting a basic phone that only makes calls but I haven't done it yet.
mermaidsandunicorns · 21/10/2018 19:26
I deleted Instagram and Facebook I kept twitter tho I don't miss fb at all I found it such a pool of negativity
AnotherRoadsideAttraction · 21/10/2018 19:26
Also one who deleted Facebook - don't miss it, but do find it a bit of a pain to communicate with faraway friends.
FrightsaidRed · 21/10/2018 19:28
I’ve binned Facebook and it’s such a relief. I’ve still got Instagram for a business account but nothing personal so it’s not the same. Bloody hate social media to be honest but because I’m running a small business it has its uses and has brought me business. I strictly use it for that and don’t look at anything else. I spend a lot more time on mumsnet now
AlphaBravo · 21/10/2018 19:28
Deactivated Facebook a few months ago. Best thing I ever did. Life feels so much less 'busybody' and it's a relief to not have to feel like I have to check it or trapse through meaningless bullshit from people I don't even know anymore or really like/am interested in.
QuickWash · 21/10/2018 19:29
I did come off FB for a bit but found it really hard to access info about local events easily without it and massively missed the reminders available from our school parents' FB page. So I returned, and am fairly addicted.
I found removing notifications helpful as I had to specifically log in rather than be alerted to check.
PanamaPattie · 21/10/2018 19:31
I de-activated Facebook and I don’t bother with all my other social media. I read Mumsnet, the weather and BBC news. I don’t miss it. I speak to people in real life. I don’t miss the “huns” and the “PM me babes”.
Lieby · 21/10/2018 19:34
So brilliant to hear lots of people with similar experience to me. I feel relieved from a general feeling of constant comparison to others which is great. Still fiddling about with my phone which is not. 🧐
toolazytothinkofausername · 21/10/2018 19:37
I am off all social media. It is the best! I now contact people either by WhatsApp, text message, or a phone call.
Aquamarine1029 · 21/10/2018 19:40
Got rid of Fakebook years and years ago. Never missed it, never looked back. It's utter rubbish.
TheVanguardSix · 21/10/2018 19:41
It’s been life changing for me. I deactivated months ago. Everything I do is really just for my family and me, not a photo-op for a brain-rotting FB post. And I don’t have to scroll through anyone else’s mundane brain rot either.
I’m reading loads more. I just feel more at peace and more invested in my family and the present/real life. It’s just great to no longer feed my brain stuff I can’t change/do anything about.
PierreBezukov · 21/10/2018 19:41
I've never been on Facebook, twitter or Instagram.
I am very happy and content with my social life, I keep in touch via text, WhatsApp and sometimes email.
I check Mumsnet and the news on my phone. But I'm happiest when I'm reading a proper book on my Kindle.
Ginfizplease · 21/10/2018 19:49
I had a break on fb and didn't miss it so I deactivated it. I was really surprised at how I didn't miss it because I was on it more than I would like to admit. I also quit IG but have gone back on there because I find it positive rather than negative like FB.
I have created a basic fb account with no info or friends just so I can be in a group as it's the only way I can find out the session times of my hobby easily without bothering others. I never ever post though and only check it when I need to find out the times etc. which is a couple of times a week at most.
DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 21/10/2018 19:49
I stopped looking at facebook this year. I sti ll have my Fb for the calendar functions but I don't check it religiously and rarely engage. I only really use it for keeping up with a hobby.
Insta I get bored quite fast so do short bursts. My issue is cutting back on MN, so I start reading again!
Wasitnotme · 21/10/2018 19:58
Deactivated FB a year ago didn't miss it I was fed up with seeing same old posts from same old people updating there life status daily realised I had become an internet stalker. Am so glad it's gone. I'm still on instagram though
TheDarkPassenger · 21/10/2018 20:01
I still have my Facebook but I don’t just mindlessly scroll really, maybe once every couple of days? I know it would be hard to kick it if it’s a habit though. I use it to post so our family in another country can see what the kids have been upto and also to randomly discuss and maintain relationships with family far away and the other parents at school.
Generally I pop on, post, then forget to check back and miss a million comments til it’s too late
I imagine it’s nice without it but I do like it for some stuff. I don’t post anything personal really, expect I raise awareness for bipolar on there, and I was a member of a support group for bipolar people but it got too triggering in the end, but I imagine the support on there does help a lot of people
ChorleyFMcominginyourears · 21/10/2018 20:05
I deleted it all for the same reason, I love that no one knows my business and I don't know theirs but now I'm on here and news apps all the time instead 😂
kalidasa · 21/10/2018 20:06
I deleted them all a few months ago. I still read on my phone a lot but proper newspaper articles, kindle, and work stuff. Definitely an improvement.
kalidasa · 21/10/2018 20:07
Have also started writing actual letters again to one friend!
mokapot · 21/10/2018 20:10
I gave up all social media 3 years ago. Love the peace of not feeling shitty about my life all the time
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