I really love this because you took the 'leaving social media' conversation to where I wish it would be. not throwing shade at all, but I feel like just leaving isn't going to solve a deeper, more worrisome problem that involves billions of dollars in investments to generate consumerism and apathy. I've been trying to do the same and only post or publish pieces I really resonate with or that really represent who I am as a writer. it's a small change compared to what I want to do (which is not having to post on social at all) but, for me, it means the world.
This is exactly what I needed to read before heading into my social media detox (I do the last three days of every month completely offline) in the hopes that when I do redownload it I'll spend less time glued to my screen. It's a work in progress but I truly look forward to the end of the month and everything my little social media detox brings.
This is a great read. Your openness really helped me look at my own social media addiction and have a bit of a breakthrough; time to change some habits. Thank you!!! <3
Thank you for sharing your stories throughout the years. I was glad to stumble on you in college because I had no clue what I was doing as a new grad and found comfort in your experiences as a professional woman working in STEM. It's a strange grieving process when your favorite creators become influencers instead of staying true to who they were when you first discovered them. We're just internet strangers but I'm really happy for you. Best of luck!
Oh my gosh thank you so much @citipop <3 literally warmed me from the core reading this. As a viewer myself of many other content creators, I totally hear you on the strange grieving process when your favorite creators become influencers. To internet friendship <33
Wow, I deeply resonate with that post. I've completely quit tiktok and Instagram for now, and I feel so much more grounded and productive, it's truly incredible. I did not realize how much those apps were holding me back!
Are you still working your 9-5 then, if you don't pursue a career as a content creator anymore, if I may ask? 😊
I know right? These apps really sneak into our attention span and brains! And yes I am still working my 9-5 and am enjoying it a lot more now that my full attention is on it instead of splitting it between my corporate job and content creation 😊
And that's interesting to hear - as someone unsure with whether or not a traditional job is for me. I've been toying with the idea of content creation, but I work in social media marketing and I really don't want to be an influencer and film everything I do.
Plus, as you said, that just feels like feeding the capitalistic beast, selling things we don't actually need…
We shall see. For now the job I currently have is great 😁
Really refreshing to read a piece that talks about social media without the all-or-nothing aspect (i.e. completely deleting it without recognizing that there are some positive aspects). I've been using Instagram on browser mode only for about a year and the lack of functionality makes my use of the app much more "intentional," in that if I go on Instagram it's to search something specific or watch someone's specific story. Personally I think there are a lot of creators worth discovering on social media but not at the price of the infinite scroll which is truly the app's biggest crime against us.
Oh how I agree with this and it makes me feel disappointed and ashamed in myself for also chasing the same Instagram “fame.” All I wanted was a side hustle and some creative outlet because I saw others doing it too, and it felt like money being left on the table to not capitalize on it. Well, this post (and so many other authors in the same stage of realization) are inspiring me to rely less on social media for now. It’s toxic and less of a connection tool for actual friends. They’re all buried under ads and I can’t find my real people. I’m sick of playing into the billionaires hands.
So much respect and appreciation for this, Sarah. What a thoughtful and informative post! As a creator myself, I can totally resonate with this. We are the first generation to experience the evolution of social media.
And I’m glad that as we navigate our way through this transformation, more people are standing up and sharing their experiences. I think Substack was the first place that made me realise I’m not alone in having these thoughts about mindful social media use. I love Substack too!
Love this. Nice to meet you here. I’ve moved across for similar reasons. Story telling became
So devoid of meaning on other channels. My life is more than quips & clips… I’ve felt so empty on those platforms. I’m here to read & share in depth & I hope it doesn’t change. ❤️
I feel exactly the same. There is so much human potential lost in hours and hours of doom scrolling…
I found myself picking up a book one day, and after 10 minutes I thought to myself ‘wow… info can just… stay in my brain and not be replace by a new thought every 5 seconds? Revolutionary idea’. But its not. Its how content should be. Long form, insightful, filling you with ideas on what to do next. - those apps are designed to turn you from a creator to a passive consumer. I hate it so bad, I hate that everyone is having the same addiction and most people dont even notice it. My parents became doom scrollers, my sister scrolls while talking to on a video call and I can see her eye gaze slowly shifting attention from talking to me to seeing ads on Facebook. On one hand - it feels healing to leave those apps. On the other hand - you suddenly start noticing how everyone is addicted to the same drug
I really resonate with everything you’ve said here! While I don’t have nearly the following on social as you, I often have felt pressure to show up in a way that didn’t align with my minimalism values. The push to buy more/do more/have more is exhausting. I recently archived all of my Instagram posts and have decided to only post there when it’s pointing towards content that lives elsewhere (ie “here’s a snippet of a Substack, read the rest at …”). It’s been very refreshing to limit my posting, and next up to limit is my consumption!
I came to a similar conclusion for a similar reason. I also missed using apps on the computer instead of my phone, so I deleted phone social media apps and only use it on my laptop too. I feel so much better not having those apps available 24/7
I resonate with this so much. For so long I had a dream of being a "content creator" on Instagram as well. I thought to myself, "If I could just share my day-to-day via reels or stories or posts, I could make good money and not have to actually work." It was so backwards. I attempted this for maybe a week and was so exhausted, mentally & physically. The pressure that came with it, like trying to fit links in places that felt organic and not sales-y. Or, going from sharing a post about burnout and depression to "what's in my amazon cart," felt so sad. Even sharing my "happy life" when wild fires are breaking out around the country and people are losing everything, or hearing about the loss of a friend and still showing up on social media like it didn't happen. Oof. I no longer chase that dream. Especially after becoming a first time mom, I'm not about to burn myself out trying to gain followers and impress big companies. All this to say, I absolutely see where you're coming from and hope you know you are not alone in those feelings whatsoever! Thank you for sharing.
This right here! As a creative I’ve always toyed with the idea of being a content creator (because as you said why not get paid for sharing your creative and artsy life). But whenever I look more into it, with success comes the brands and the attention capital, it sounds so easy to get swept into the metrics over the joys of creating, because it’s the metrics you’re rewarded by! But I love your stance of only curating when you have value to give. It’s made me reflect also on the speed we post and why we jump for validation over the process - okay I’m rambling now, but thank you, it was great to read about your opinion!
I really love this because you took the 'leaving social media' conversation to where I wish it would be. not throwing shade at all, but I feel like just leaving isn't going to solve a deeper, more worrisome problem that involves billions of dollars in investments to generate consumerism and apathy. I've been trying to do the same and only post or publish pieces I really resonate with or that really represent who I am as a writer. it's a small change compared to what I want to do (which is not having to post on social at all) but, for me, it means the world.
YES. EXACTLY. THIS. "the problem that involves billions of dollars in investments to generate consumerism and apathy"
This is exactly what I needed to read before heading into my social media detox (I do the last three days of every month completely offline) in the hopes that when I do redownload it I'll spend less time glued to my screen. It's a work in progress but I truly look forward to the end of the month and everything my little social media detox brings.
omg love a ritualistic monthly social media detox paired with some anti-social media reading 😍 sounds lovely
This is a great read. Your openness really helped me look at my own social media addiction and have a bit of a breakthrough; time to change some habits. Thank you!!! <3
ahh thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment this 🤎
Thank you for sharing your stories throughout the years. I was glad to stumble on you in college because I had no clue what I was doing as a new grad and found comfort in your experiences as a professional woman working in STEM. It's a strange grieving process when your favorite creators become influencers instead of staying true to who they were when you first discovered them. We're just internet strangers but I'm really happy for you. Best of luck!
Oh my gosh thank you so much @citipop <3 literally warmed me from the core reading this. As a viewer myself of many other content creators, I totally hear you on the strange grieving process when your favorite creators become influencers. To internet friendship <33
Wow, I deeply resonate with that post. I've completely quit tiktok and Instagram for now, and I feel so much more grounded and productive, it's truly incredible. I did not realize how much those apps were holding me back!
Are you still working your 9-5 then, if you don't pursue a career as a content creator anymore, if I may ask? 😊
I know right? These apps really sneak into our attention span and brains! And yes I am still working my 9-5 and am enjoying it a lot more now that my full attention is on it instead of splitting it between my corporate job and content creation 😊
Absolutely!
And that's interesting to hear - as someone unsure with whether or not a traditional job is for me. I've been toying with the idea of content creation, but I work in social media marketing and I really don't want to be an influencer and film everything I do.
Plus, as you said, that just feels like feeding the capitalistic beast, selling things we don't actually need…
We shall see. For now the job I currently have is great 😁
Really refreshing to read a piece that talks about social media without the all-or-nothing aspect (i.e. completely deleting it without recognizing that there are some positive aspects). I've been using Instagram on browser mode only for about a year and the lack of functionality makes my use of the app much more "intentional," in that if I go on Instagram it's to search something specific or watch someone's specific story. Personally I think there are a lot of creators worth discovering on social media but not at the price of the infinite scroll which is truly the app's biggest crime against us.
Oh how I agree with this and it makes me feel disappointed and ashamed in myself for also chasing the same Instagram “fame.” All I wanted was a side hustle and some creative outlet because I saw others doing it too, and it felt like money being left on the table to not capitalize on it. Well, this post (and so many other authors in the same stage of realization) are inspiring me to rely less on social media for now. It’s toxic and less of a connection tool for actual friends. They’re all buried under ads and I can’t find my real people. I’m sick of playing into the billionaires hands.
So much respect and appreciation for this, Sarah. What a thoughtful and informative post! As a creator myself, I can totally resonate with this. We are the first generation to experience the evolution of social media.
And I’m glad that as we navigate our way through this transformation, more people are standing up and sharing their experiences. I think Substack was the first place that made me realise I’m not alone in having these thoughts about mindful social media use. I love Substack too!
Love this. Nice to meet you here. I’ve moved across for similar reasons. Story telling became
So devoid of meaning on other channels. My life is more than quips & clips… I’ve felt so empty on those platforms. I’m here to read & share in depth & I hope it doesn’t change. ❤️
Thissss. I loved making content, especially when I’m in a writing rut, but the idea of doing it as a cash cow irks me.
I feel exactly the same. There is so much human potential lost in hours and hours of doom scrolling…
I found myself picking up a book one day, and after 10 minutes I thought to myself ‘wow… info can just… stay in my brain and not be replace by a new thought every 5 seconds? Revolutionary idea’. But its not. Its how content should be. Long form, insightful, filling you with ideas on what to do next. - those apps are designed to turn you from a creator to a passive consumer. I hate it so bad, I hate that everyone is having the same addiction and most people dont even notice it. My parents became doom scrollers, my sister scrolls while talking to on a video call and I can see her eye gaze slowly shifting attention from talking to me to seeing ads on Facebook. On one hand - it feels healing to leave those apps. On the other hand - you suddenly start noticing how everyone is addicted to the same drug
I really resonate with everything you’ve said here! While I don’t have nearly the following on social as you, I often have felt pressure to show up in a way that didn’t align with my minimalism values. The push to buy more/do more/have more is exhausting. I recently archived all of my Instagram posts and have decided to only post there when it’s pointing towards content that lives elsewhere (ie “here’s a snippet of a Substack, read the rest at …”). It’s been very refreshing to limit my posting, and next up to limit is my consumption!
I came to a similar conclusion for a similar reason. I also missed using apps on the computer instead of my phone, so I deleted phone social media apps and only use it on my laptop too. I feel so much better not having those apps available 24/7
I resonate with this so much. For so long I had a dream of being a "content creator" on Instagram as well. I thought to myself, "If I could just share my day-to-day via reels or stories or posts, I could make good money and not have to actually work." It was so backwards. I attempted this for maybe a week and was so exhausted, mentally & physically. The pressure that came with it, like trying to fit links in places that felt organic and not sales-y. Or, going from sharing a post about burnout and depression to "what's in my amazon cart," felt so sad. Even sharing my "happy life" when wild fires are breaking out around the country and people are losing everything, or hearing about the loss of a friend and still showing up on social media like it didn't happen. Oof. I no longer chase that dream. Especially after becoming a first time mom, I'm not about to burn myself out trying to gain followers and impress big companies. All this to say, I absolutely see where you're coming from and hope you know you are not alone in those feelings whatsoever! Thank you for sharing.
This right here! As a creative I’ve always toyed with the idea of being a content creator (because as you said why not get paid for sharing your creative and artsy life). But whenever I look more into it, with success comes the brands and the attention capital, it sounds so easy to get swept into the metrics over the joys of creating, because it’s the metrics you’re rewarded by! But I love your stance of only curating when you have value to give. It’s made me reflect also on the speed we post and why we jump for validation over the process - okay I’m rambling now, but thank you, it was great to read about your opinion!
From a content creator to another: I’m hugging you hard. It can be rough — but it’ll be so good because it will only be about us 🫂