Yes yes yes!! I kinda stopped using social media 3 months ago (only use YouTube) and it has dramatically reduced my anxiety! It's like the world has opened up and I can see different perspectives and other lives. It was a bit hard at first (FOMO) but I realised I was able to get what I liked most which was connecting with friends other ways (like messanger or WhatsApp).
When I moved abroad I started using Facebook groups to meet new people and it has worked a treat! I think it is still a great tool to connect people but the content and algorithm is draining. Stay away from the feeds haha
I believe in intentional browsing and scrolling, to learn something, get fast news, to discover new products and tips…also content creators are amazing, really, they are artists in their own way and like any other artist they deserve the attention…for many it’s their livelihood…
So if you disconnect from social media, it’s like stopping going to art galleries, or a concert, or a museum, etc…everything in moderation has its benefits, the secret is self-control…
For social media to harm mental health, maybe the mental health had to already be harmed and/or weak in the first place…but I noticed that consumed for too long, it does numb…
That is true, everything in moderation. As mentioned in the article too, very light use, like what you describe, can even be positive. It's when you become a heavy user and it becomes mindless, that's when it can really impact on mental health.
Hey Sophie, great story! I've deleted Instagram some time ago and noticed how many times I tried opening the app even when it wasn't on my phone anymore. Our brain programs habits so fast when it notices the chance of a dopamine rush... Today I'm using Instagram again because I create content on the platform but I try to be more of a creator than a consumer. An Application called OneSec helped me overcome social media addiction it's really great.
I recently deleted all social media apps from my phone and couldn’t be happier!
Crazy what an impact it can have!
I'll enter in my 20s next year and not using social media even in my teens is one of the thing I'll always be proud of lol
That's a massive achievement!!
Yes yes yes!! I kinda stopped using social media 3 months ago (only use YouTube) and it has dramatically reduced my anxiety! It's like the world has opened up and I can see different perspectives and other lives. It was a bit hard at first (FOMO) but I realised I was able to get what I liked most which was connecting with friends other ways (like messanger or WhatsApp).
When I moved abroad I started using Facebook groups to meet new people and it has worked a treat! I think it is still a great tool to connect people but the content and algorithm is draining. Stay away from the feeds haha
It's crazy how much it can impact us! And very true that it can still be a great tool but overuse is what is the issue I guess
I believe in intentional browsing and scrolling, to learn something, get fast news, to discover new products and tips…also content creators are amazing, really, they are artists in their own way and like any other artist they deserve the attention…for many it’s their livelihood…
So if you disconnect from social media, it’s like stopping going to art galleries, or a concert, or a museum, etc…everything in moderation has its benefits, the secret is self-control…
For social media to harm mental health, maybe the mental health had to already be harmed and/or weak in the first place…but I noticed that consumed for too long, it does numb…
That is true, everything in moderation. As mentioned in the article too, very light use, like what you describe, can even be positive. It's when you become a heavy user and it becomes mindless, that's when it can really impact on mental health.
Hey Sophie, great story! I've deleted Instagram some time ago and noticed how many times I tried opening the app even when it wasn't on my phone anymore. Our brain programs habits so fast when it notices the chance of a dopamine rush... Today I'm using Instagram again because I create content on the platform but I try to be more of a creator than a consumer. An Application called OneSec helped me overcome social media addiction it's really great.
https://medium.com/write-a-catalyst/i-cured-my-social-media-addiction-here-is-how-6ea6f9dcd971
I've also written about this app and how it helped me cure my social media addiction. You may check it out. 🙃
Aaron
Thanks Aaron I'll check it out. I agree using an app because you're creating content on it is very different from just mindlessly using it.
Agree! 🙏🏻