Leaving social media changed my life

[FIZZYTEDDY]

Just a thread about how I believe leaving all forms of social media will improve your life! (Haha I know what you're thinking - "but OP you're on Mumsnet!" But you're all strangers here and it's a forum)

I left Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat for so many reasons and I can honestly say my life improved. If you're considering it, or you get frustrated at the content on these platforms, or being on them doesn't make you feel good or if you know you spend too much time on them - then I urge you - leave them!! Reasons I felt it helped me:

You have more time on your hands and you're not constantly glued to your phone for long periods - others notice this and children and family members will enjoy your attention

You're not constantly comparing yourself to peoples "supposed perfect lives" and decreases thoughts of jealousy, generally improves mentally health!

You learn to appreciate moments/memories/photographs without thinking "who will like this on Instagram" - this is probably the thing I notice the most!

It teaches better values to younger people to live in the moment and be present. It reduces and encourages less screen time.

You will continue to be in touch and communicate with friends who are important to you because you can still get in contact with them.

Anyone else agree with me? Anyone else go "cold turkey" 🙈🙈

Your usage sounds excessive
There is a happy medium
I go on social media few times a week for about ten minutes, when I’m in a queue or waiting for children to come out of school.
i love having a mindless scroll at holidays photos etc for a few minutes

It teaches better values to younger people to live in the moment and be present. It reduces and encourages less screen time.

whether you’re on mumsnet or a social media… it’s still screen time

I kept using knives wrong and had accidents and kept hurting myself. I stopped using knives all together! What a revelation! Anyone else with me?

I deactivated all my social accounts 2 year ago now.
Wouldn't say it was life changing but I don't miss it!

I left most social media sites. I am still on here and Ovarit. Mostly because it's female-centric and gender critical. I can't stand the rest of them.

You're not constantly comparing yourself to peoples "supposed perfect lives" and decreases thoughts of jealousy, generally improves mentally health!

You learn to appreciate moments/memories/photographs without thinking "who will like this on Instagram" - this is probably the thing I notice the most!

I manage to use social media without either of these things affecting me.

Personally I think that if pictures of other people make you feel down about yourself and jealous, and make you feel like you need to compete for validation, then talking about it someone is the best course of action, coming off of SM doesn't get to the root of the problem.

But glad it's worked for you.

Yeah but where do you get your cat photos now, OP?🙄

Don't worry, I’m here for you.

I take it you have also given up TV, cinema, pubs, restaurants, art, theatre, all types of sport, reading and listening to the radio. Bloody time wasting nonsense the lot of them.

Instead of coming off SM - how about working on your self-esteem and then following science, museums, languages - well, things and topics instead of people?

Bloody hell OP
just did an search on your name out of our nosiness

you have started more than half a dozen threads just this weekend!

Perhaps social media isn’t the problem 😀

Pure nosiness

Well if the OP can't handle it thats fine......I guess its like people who can't keep biscuits in the house because they can hear them calling......oh and yes, MN....all forums....are social and media, therefore social media

I love social media. Mumsnet is the only one I post on though but I am very much a voyeur. Tiktok has to be my favourite. I have seen a snapshot of so many peoples lives. A cargo ship captain, what living in remote Alaska looks like. At the moment I'm following a guy who is walking the Appalachian Trail. I could do with spending less time on it for sure. But the housework will still be there tomorrow. OP I'm single and my children are grown. I have a lot of time to fill. However if I do have plans my phone stays away while I enjoy adventures in real life.

@tomatoandherbs hahaha 😂😂 ok fair point I posted a lot recently! Only because I'm new to this forum!

Anyways just thought I'd share this as it was meant in a positive way and I've been off the rest of the stuff for over a year now and just thought it could help someone else who was pondering/struggling..that it helped me.

Well yes if you aren't able to regulate yourself and use social media sensibility then best for you to step away.
Other people can manage to use it sensibility though.
Maybe you need to have a closer look at why you were needing 'likes' and comparing yourself etc rather than just using it as a harmless bit of fun.

I get where you're coming from OP, I came off of everything for years and it was great seeing people and having no idea what was going on in their lives
I only got it back when my son started school because so much school related stuff is posted there.

But all of you revelations and many more are all studied and out there on the rest of the internet.

A mantra we teach our kids regarding internet use "if you can't work out the product they are selling it's probably you"

“Anyone else agree with me?”

I agree that it sounded like you used excessively to the detriment of yourself and your family, and restricting usage was positive.

for me and many others similarly aged ie 40 year old mumsnetter… social media represents 5mins scrolling whilst you’re waiting for the kids to finish after school sport for example. And nothing more whatever

Apparently it is the instant gratification that hooks people - it gives you a buzz, endorphins- -you post something, someone likes ++++, probably happens seldom in real life.

sounds like it’s the SM where comparison and competition is the name of the game.
some pp are being harsh on OP I feel.
SM is what it is, it’s how your personality deals with it.
sounds like you’ve made the right decision for you OP.

We all use social media differently, so I agree if you are using it in a way that makes you unhappy definitely stop - that's a no brainer surely. The only one I regularly look at is Instagram and I follow all sorts of accounts that really interest me: gardening, food, psychology etc it makes me feel better, not worse.

I also am very active on Twitter on political subjects and although I do get distressed at some of the news and information on it, it is really happening and Im an eyes wide open kind of person. Being able to talk about what's going on in the world feels empowering - but yes it can drag you down so all things in moderation.

Tbh if you are the kind of person worried about 'keeping up with the neighbours' you'll find ways to torture yourself on and offline. Would be better to address what ever psychological issues that are behind that way of thinking.

So that's 5 minutes scrolling 2-3 times a week - funny you happen to be on mn when th OP was posted !?

mumsnet… oh mumsnet definitely i am more than a couple of times a week for five minutes!!

i go onto facebook each night, this is the only social media i use and i only have family on mine, i can catch up with family messages and photos, my son and daughter in law also know if i am okay as i have had a lot of health problems. i don't do it on my phone as i don't know how to.

Sounds good for you that you gave it up, but I don't relate at all to any of the points raised in your op.