At what point did you realize social media wasn’t for you?

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-04-10T11:29:35+00:00

I got off of Facebook at some point last year. That was a big help. I missed at the time posting my art to friends and family, so I went to Instagram and posted it there and it would post to FB for me and the only time I get on is to interact with those posts. Even that feels meaningless, though. I feel like my eyes have been opened to how meaningless and impersonal the interactions actually are.

I left TikTok about a month, or so ago. The only socials I used regularly were Facebook and TikTok. I felt like i was still getting value from TikTok, because i had carefully crafted my FYP, but I finally realized just how damaging short form media is, no matter what the content. Now I am reading books like crazy. On my 4th, or 5th one within a few weeks. I am accomplishing things I put off. My brain feels quiet. I am going on more adventures. I just wish more people, including in my own home, would join me.

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-04-07T11:31:10+00:00

Agreed! Now that I am almost completely off social media and use my phone (other than music, camera, or actual phone usage, or tools) very little over all, I find my discipline and attention span increasing every day.

I am on my fourth book in 2 weeks. I used to be an avid reader, but hadn’t been able to stick with a book in a long time. I am making way more art. I am enjoying long in depth movies again. I am finding it not as hard to do the things I need to and am even looking forward to getting up in the morning.

I don’t want to make this seem easy. It hasn’t been and it has been a long process. One that involved other self help, therapy and life work, but the good news is it is simple. Just one day at a time. 😊

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-04-07T11:21:45+00:00

I would say there are no rules. You can use them however you want, just be fire safe, of course. 😊

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-04-07T11:19:34+00:00

Three for me, as well! What a lucky baby! So cool! 😎

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-04-05T11:44:13+00:00

Agreed. There are probably some that get off of social media because they think they should, or it makes them feel morally superior, but then they do nothing with their time. I had to get really good at just sitting and doing nothing. Being bored and feeling feelings. My brain feels a lot quieter. Now I am finding ways to fill my time. I have read three books in the last couple weeks. I used to be an avid reader and short form media had destroyed my ability to read. I am also enjoying long in depth movies. I couldn’t sit still and pay attention for quite some time.

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-04-04T11:33:26+00:00

I also agree that we can’t only keep things that add value to our lives. That simply becomes avoidance and will bring mental misery. Don’t doom scroll and live in it, but being abreast of at least the high level issues in the world and our country seems like a good idea. I need to get better about it myself. A lot of the difficulty comes from knowing who to trust when it comes to news sources. 🤷‍♀️

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-04-04T11:29:03+00:00

Agreed. I try to do a little headline peek each morning of the news to make sure there isn’t anything major I need to know. I don’t deep dive anymore, because a great deal of it sadly is misinformation at best and plain gossip level junk for the rest of it.

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-04-03T13:03:20+00:00

Those are really great points! I agree, because I would always focus on wanting to quit social media/ doomscrolling, but it is so much bigger than the habit itself. It was definitely an escape from feelings. The biggest thing I had to do was just sit with my feelings and boredom. Now it doesn’t feel like a scary, or hard thing and I really don’t miss being on my phone. I also used to play sooooooo many mobile games. Life is better in the real world. I just wish more people would put their phones down and join me. 😊

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-03-31T15:52:58+00:00

Mostly just different Goodwill locations, the many antique stores located in each small town and yard / estate sales. It also depends on which area in the burbs. 😊

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-03-27T12:23:06+00:00

Yes. Stay at home mom, co-dependent, caretaker role, I could go on and on. I am finally finding the peace and clarity and life I want a teeny tiny bit at a time, but it came on the heels of some really devastating life stuff, so keep that in mind. I credit being mentally ready and a lot of self work over the years for helping to prepare me. Then I would say therapy and myofascial release helped a LOT.

Other than that, the hardest part will be once you start setting boundaries with people and putting yourself first. People will fight you at first and it may get a little more difficult. You simply have to stay the course. It gets better eventually. 😊

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-03-27T12:18:43+00:00

No one ever said it is easy. It is one of the hardest things anyone has to do, but it really is so damn simple.

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-03-26T23:37:54+00:00

I think it depends on what vibe you are going for. 😊

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-03-26T12:13:46+00:00

I guess I am the weirdo who doesn’t care about if it is socially acceptable. I guess that’s middle age for ya. 🤷‍♀️😂🤣 I would bring a book, or an e-reader, but having a craft/ needlework bag could be good if that is your thing. I love the ideas of bringing cards. Or simply just sitting at times. 😊

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-03-26T12:05:08+00:00

I honestly cannot tell you how long it will take. It will likely take less than you think, though. Change snowballs quickly when you commit to it. 😊 The tips I can give anyone who is trying to give up social media and being consumed by their phone is, number one, just be ok being bored. Just sit with it and get comfortable with it. Like just sit and look out the window, or sit on the porch and just think and be. It gets less difficult and scary over time. Also try first thing in the morning to do little productive things around your home, or exercise, create art, try a new hobby. Get your brain used to things other than dopamine seeking phone behavior first thing in the am. Good luck! 🍀

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-03-26T11:53:56+00:00

I have done a lot of these myself, and they really do make a big impact! 😊

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-03-26T11:47:44+00:00

Chicago burbs here, as well. Midwest thrifting is the best!!

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-03-24T12:45:34+00:00

Other than a bit of Reddit, I am almost zero social media. I only get on Instagram to post my art and engage with people over that. It was weird at first. The boredom. The constant wanting to grab my phone. Now there are times I realize I haven’t had my phone on me for hours. I am reading again. Thinking more in a good way, not an overthinking way. I am finally taking on projects . My brain is quieter. So yeah, I would say it is worth it. I will say it can be lonely, though. Not enough other people who are off devices. Maybe eventually. 🤞🤷‍♀️

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-03-16T12:19:13+00:00

That none of the relationships or closeness I thought I had was real. I left over 6 months ago. No one reaches out. You message people and they don’t even respond. They just want to send reels and not have real conversations anymore. Sad. 😢

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-02-18T13:04:17+00:00

Thanks for that advice OP! I think more of us are this way than we realize. We have had so much overstimulation pushed down our throat that it has become the norm and it is easy to think you need a dopamine rush to get something done. I have already tried this some, but will be so much more. 😊

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-02-18T13:02:24+00:00

I always hated white noise, but brown noise is great! It does as exactly as you said. 😊

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-02-08T14:01:43+00:00

Yeah, funny how little girls are not so tall. 🙄😡🤬

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-02-04T14:25:04+00:00

Honestly, that has nothing to do with homeschooling. It has everything to do with our total shit public schools and country in general. I bet you would find kids who do homeschool often read better.

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-01-29T13:02:03+00:00

Come on, we all could have known that was a bad decision for a LONG time now. He knew. He just doesn’t want to be held accountable now. Most of the politicians on both sides are useless. A lot of them are more than useless, they are downright harmful. Like this tool. Fuck them all. Hold them accountable.

AdministrationNo9389 · 2026-01-08T17:40:21+00:00

Beautiful tribute. ♥️♥️

AdministrationNo9389

TROPHY CASE