Build your social media detox
Build Your Social Media Detox
A month ago, I permanently deleted my Instagram. Two weeks ago, I did the same with TikTok. As for Snapchat? That app has been gone since middle school (and I hope it’s the same for you, but hey, no judgment here).
If you told me a few months ago that I’d be living a social media-free life, I would’ve laughed. I was chronically online, especially on TikTok. I’d spend hours scrolling the For You Page, so much so that my family would sometimes take my phone away during dinner. The algorithm had me hooked. But it wasn’t feeding me funny skits or uplifting creators—it was bombarding me with diet trends, “skinny positivity,” and wellness fads I didn’t ask for.
I’d lie awake at night beating myself up for not following some random diet or for not being as “productive” as the people I saw online. My feed made me feel like I always needed something—Adidas Sambas, a new purse, workout sets, or whatever the next "must-have" was. It sold me the idea that if I had all these things, I’d finally become the person I dreamed of being. Spoiler: I didn’t.
Instagram wasn’t any better. It became my go-to app for self-sabotage. On bad days, I’d scroll through stories and posts, comparing my life to everyone else’s. In college, I’d check Instagram when I felt lonely, which only made me feel worse. After graduating, it turned into a perpetual comparison game: who loved their new city? Who was in a relationship? Who had their post-grad glow-up? I wasted so much time obsessing over other people’s lives, convincing myself I’d never measure up.
Eventually, I got tired of it. Tired of the endless scrolling. Tired of feeling empty. Tired of being addicted to my phone. So, I quit.
Now that I’m social media-free, my life feels lighter. Here’s what I’ve noticed:
- I have more time for things that fuel me.
Instead of putting on PJs at 5 PM and scrolling for hours, I read, write blog posts, work out, or call friends. These activities leave me feeling fulfilled rather than drained.
- No more FOMO.
Without Instagram, I’m not constantly comparing my Saturday night to someone else’s party or my solo time to someone’s busy social calendar. I can finally enjoy my choices without regret.
- I’ve stopped chasing health trends.
TikTok’s endless stream of wellness fads left me panicked and overwhelmed. Coconut Cult? Oil pulling? Carnivore diets? It was too much. Now, I listen to my body and focus on what works for me, not what’s trending.
- I’m proud of myself.
Without being bombarded by everyone’s highlight reels, I no longer feel like I’m falling short. I don’t compare my to-do list to someone else’s “day in the life.” All I see is my life, and I can finally celebrate my accomplishments.
To be honest, there are moments I miss aimless scrolling. I’ve even tried YouTube Shorts, but that left me feeling worse too. For now, I’m building a life outside of social media.
Your environment shapes who you are—this includes your digital environment. If social media brings you joy and connection, that’s great. But if you’re leaving these apps feeling worse about yourself, it might be time to reconsider.
As someone who was glued to TikTok just two weeks ago, I can confidently say this: If I can do it, you can too. Life feels so much better when the external noise is quiet.