- Username
- M
- Date posted
- 3y ago
- Username
- MM
- Date posted
- 3y ago
I always felt like my relationship with it was okay at least. But after some serious reflection it honestly isn’t. I’ve had an addiction since 13. I thought I was learning from it (I wasn’t, I’ve found book and other online recourses that are more detailed than a social media post). I thought the jokes were worth it. They’re not. I laugh at like 5 things after 4 hours worth of scrolling. It’s like the promise of a joke or eventually seeing something ill enjoy is worth wasting that much time with it. I also have serious FOMO. And the last reason which does my head in. Is I get overwhelmed. I can’t keep up with the fact that I’m receiving so much information at once, that so many people are alive. I go through a plethora of emotions in one sitting and it’s really unpleasant.
- Username
- GoneHikingGoneHiking
- Date posted
- 3y ago
I've had a lot of conversations with my parents about the shady underbelly of social media. For that reason, I've never set up an account, and honestly never wanted to. Beyond all the other issues like rampant consumer rights violations and deceptive business practices, my doomscrolling habits are already bad enough without that added barrel of worms. Social media generally makes those who use it unhappier over the long run, but in the short term, looking at feeds gives your brain a brief hit of feel-good neurochemicals. This makes it difficult to quit. Like JoyousEffort said, some choose to nuke their accounts because this removes the temptation altogether. If you're not ready to go quite that far, then I would suggest: - Delete the apps. Based on my understanding, you can always visit these social media websites via an internet browser. Typing in the website name will add an extra layer of work into the mix, which will give you more time to reconsider your decision. It will also have the added benefit of preventing the aforementioned apps from possibly sending out feelers into the rest of your phone/device, and tracking your activity across other apps. - Turn off all notifications from these apps/websites. - Save a few dollars and buy a couple of fun phone/device games. If you're bored and have to wait for something, this will give you something to do. I hope this helps. <3
- Username
- MM
- Date posted
- 3y ago
Thank you so much for explaining the reasoning in why social media is addicting. That makes so much sense. I’ve always disliked it but it was such a homely habit that I couldn’t find it in me to quit permanently. There’s an almost comfort being stuck in destructive cycles. It’s predictable. You were smart for never opening an account in the first place. Also thank you for laying out a plan to help! <3 I will definetely try the deleting of the apps and trying to access them through my internet browser. Im so lazy it would definetely demotivate me especially since social media on an internet browser doesn’t run as smoothly as an app. This was really helpful :)
- Username
- MM
- Date posted
- 3y ago
Also another part in why I want to delete social media is, my ocd made it really hard for me to live in reality. Coming back down to reality after managing OCD has helped me identify all the other factors in my life, that not only harmed my relationship with myself but me being present. I want to finally finally live in the present moment properly. I know how to manage my emotions now. I don’t wanna escape anymore
- Username
- GoneHikingGoneHiking
- Date posted
- 3y ago
@M - The right decision is seldom the easiest - I'm glad that you're discovering these new things about yourself and taking action to pursue the life you want. That takes a lot of strength and courage. Those last few lines really spoke to me, because it's how I've been feeling lately. Escaping only works for so long before you run out of fuel. I'm tired of running - it's time I face this annoying little demon. xD I'm also really glad that I could be of help to you. I have passionate opinions about social media - I think it could do and has done a lot of good, but it needs reform. If someone wants to quit, I'm always happy to support them in that. I hope that your efforts are successful, and that you find happiness and enjoyment in life. <3
- Username
- MM
- Date posted
- 3y ago
@GoneHiking Thank you! I just implemented your suggestion and deleted the app and If need be I’m gonna access it through the browser. Which has already put me off since it’s so slow. But going back to what you said, I’ve found that the best way out is through. That way you’ve cleared a path that won’t fade. At times the fear of something (in this case dealing with the demon), is a lot more scary and overwhelming than actually doing the work. You’ve got this ! I’m rooting for you <3
- Username
- MM
- Date posted
- 3y ago
Hi! I wanted to update you. I deleted my social media’s. Still have whatsapp and YouTube tho. I became really interested in why social media is addictive and its impacts on the world. I read up on psychological, sociological, political and economical studies as well as computer science ones on the subject. Even got into Jaron Lanier and his book “ten reasons to delete social media” and my mind is honestly blown. I had a very surface level understanding in how social media was effecting me but I didn’t realise (like you said) it’s shady underbelly. Your tip on using it in browser and deleting apps was the perfect transition for me. The apps becoming a bit more difficult to access made me realise how much I didn’t need them and prompted me to nuke my accounts. I honestly feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I didn’t notice how cranky social media had made me feel or how creepy a lot of it is in the first place. And how better my life is without it. You were really smart and ahead of the times for never setting up an account. FOMO on pop culture used to be excuse enough for me to not delete it but missing out on life actual life was more scary to me. Going to therapy and not being afraid of being present and learning how to deal with illnesses or accept emotions helped massively too.You have no idea how much this helped free an addiction I’ve had since 13. Thank you :)
- Username
- JoyousEffortJoyousEffort
- Date posted
- 3y ago
I didn’t delete my Facebook account, but I mentally declared myself in “semi-retirement” from it like 5 years ago and pretty much haven’t looked back, other to check the messenger once in a while to see if anyone is trying to get in touch. That made it a little easier to mentally detach and walk away than deleting entirely, since I could use it to get in contact with someone “if I wanted to”. But I definitely see why a lot of people decide to take the opposite approach and just nuke their accounts altogether.
- Username
- MM
- Date posted
- 3y ago
That makes sense actually. I did the same with Instagram and the fact that it’s always accessible makes me not think about it for days on end. Maybe I should I try that method on other social media apps. My biggest weakness is tiktok. It’s just so convenient
Related posts
- Username
- marsi
- Date posted
- 5y ago
Has anyone deleted social media because of triggering things? I find it helps as a distraction when I am anxious but then it can be extremely triggering when people talk about being sick or a news article talks about an illness being spread.
- Username
- jusme
- Date posted
- 3y ago
reddit is so triggering but i try to delete it but end up redownloading it i don’t know how to stop it
- Username
- floatingspirit
- Date posted
- 2y ago
Deleting Social Media Fully..
I’ve not used Instagram for almost 1 year and don’t use Twitter or TikTok. I only use Snapchat to talk with friends, but seeing random peoples stories and stuff really overwhelms me. Since I only talk to 2-3 people I think it’s better to just use WhatsApp exclusively. The amount of social media apps is insanely overwhelming and it’s no wonder why my attention span is shockingly low, as we’re always looking for that next news article or viral clip or whatever. Has anyone else deleted social media to reduce anxiety?
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