I deleted IG off my phone 6 weeks ago after feeling intensely suffocated by it. All the rules for growing a business had me in a strangle hold. It’s been so freeing being off there - and not at all shocking that finding a circle where I get to be with real women in real life talking about real shit has felt like a balm on my soul, not to mention opened more doors for my business than anything IG has offered up. I can feel it’s time coming to an end… and I’m happy to say it’s a funeral I’m eagerly anticipating. Thanks for saying it how it is Peta.
I got off instagram for a full year and it changed my life and rewired my brain. Now I have a password that locks me out after 30 min a day. I made my husband set the password and never tell me so I can’t override it. And even just 30 minutes of the dopamine hit is too much! I can feel such a difference in my heart and body mind when I indulge in those 30 minutes!
I can imagine this - a full year of rehabilitation to your brain and heart. I culled who I was following to 35 people so it’s deliberately more quiet and even that is still so much when I’ve jumped on quickly to post. Love your idea of having hubby set the password. Genius.
Brilliant exploration of this topic! I've been doing the same, off and on social since 2020 and finally got rid of IG last year. I put it back on my phone for about a week last month for a new business venture and it sucked me right back in. Lesson learned!
You really got me with "it teaches people to be rewarded for bad behavior". Lately I read something about success and it said I'd you in your heart believe some part of your path to be immoral you cannot be successful there. I'm starting to think this is why social media never kicked off for me - bc I just don't believe it's moral. Even if I break myself from the scroll, I don't want to contribute to the scroll addiction of others.
I "deleted" Instagram from my phone many times before I eventually nuked social media last year. I'd been on it for 12 years from age 13-25 and didn't know a social life without it. For anyone who's contemplating this but worries they'll be out of the loop—I was initially concerned about that too, but I honestly don't feel like I'm missing out. Disappearing from IG and FB and Twitter has had zero impact on my life. I haven't been tempted to return.
What a relief to read these words! I deleted my Instagram account completely a few months ago, and there’s not a single thing I miss about it. But I was wondering if there’s something wrong with me that I just cannot handle social media, that it makes me feel ick, and it always has. Everyone else I know seems fine with it so it’s validating to read your perspective.
I know several people who have none at all, so you’re not alone Geordie. It’s getting more and more ick because it’s getting harder for people to get attention. X
"I said years ago that the tragedy of our generation will be that mothers spent more time on their screens than looking into their children’s eyes, and I stand by it.
I refuse to be a chronically distracted mother, even if it has become the standard.
There is no success important to me like the success of a holy home.
There is no one in my audience who needs me like my husband and children do."
This made me want to stand up and applaud! I wrote something similar years ago in a journal when I was struggling with social media. I wrote that I don't want to get to the end of my life and realize I looked at a screen more than in the eyes of my own children. I don't want all of their memories of me to be the top of my head or the blue glow of a screen reflecting on my face. I loved this article and I love your quote. I'm writing it down now as a reminder.
This is such a breath of fresh air to read and I agree so deeply. I’ve been off of IG for almost a year. I had been doing the yoyo off and on for a while. Deleting the app, feeling free, then going back from a case of FOMO instead of from actual need. It was a horrible cycle and what I noticed when I would go back is that there wasn’t very many people who truly cared that i was back. Not many who truly used that platform for real engagement. It made it seem not worth it at all and def not worth sacrificing my time and attention for. Trading my mental capacity for a dopamine hit is not a worthwhile sacrifice. I now have zero socials on my phone except substack and wow it’s a great feeling! My kids get my eyeballs looking at them again! IG has become a bottomless pit. And once we jump in the fall is inevitable.
Have been thinking about deleting it for weeks. Your words are a breath of fresh air. I just want to have babies and read them books. My husband has never had social and I’m ready to untangle myself and my identify from it.
Absolutely echoing the confusion piece — when we are already the generation of entitled “you can do it all and be it all” and then make yourself available to more, better, what’s possible… potential feels like pressure. Possibility is no longer a horizon beckoning but a measuring stick, a performance, a constant trying. I set down my social media approach recently and for the first time in ten years, supplemented my business by getting a job. It was revolutionary. Touching real things one day a week, laughing with fellow weirdo creatives, indulging in sensory delights (it’s a notebook company). It’s been more life giving than my last launch, for sure!
Thank you! You’ve always been able to verbalize things I feel so well that I can’t even for myself! 🙏🏼🫶🏼 I resonated esp with the confusion part.
When my age 7 son who I’ve let play games on an iPad, has been asking for it more and more, then says to me “mom stop looking at instagram” 😮
I’m so fed up with it all. For all of us. I’ve experienced a lonely phase for a while now and instead live in my head.. and the “figuring out” where to live, how to date, how to earn more, how to be better mom and bring us closer to Jesus etc etc… it’s truly exhausting like you’ve said.
I think a TRUE break from a few apps would really support my and my son’s wellbeing. It’s been on my mind. Much love, again thank you! xo xo
I deleted IG off my phone 6 weeks ago after feeling intensely suffocated by it. All the rules for growing a business had me in a strangle hold. It’s been so freeing being off there - and not at all shocking that finding a circle where I get to be with real women in real life talking about real shit has felt like a balm on my soul, not to mention opened more doors for my business than anything IG has offered up. I can feel it’s time coming to an end… and I’m happy to say it’s a funeral I’m eagerly anticipating. Thanks for saying it how it is Peta.
That is so cool-- also, that doors were opened for you when you followed what was true. XX
Feeeel this. I’ve seen the same. There’s a depth and context that you get in person, or even in long form vs. IG
I got off instagram for a full year and it changed my life and rewired my brain. Now I have a password that locks me out after 30 min a day. I made my husband set the password and never tell me so I can’t override it. And even just 30 minutes of the dopamine hit is too much! I can feel such a difference in my heart and body mind when I indulge in those 30 minutes!
I can imagine this - a full year of rehabilitation to your brain and heart. I culled who I was following to 35 people so it’s deliberately more quiet and even that is still so much when I’ve jumped on quickly to post. Love your idea of having hubby set the password. Genius.
Brilliant exploration of this topic! I've been doing the same, off and on social since 2020 and finally got rid of IG last year. I put it back on my phone for about a week last month for a new business venture and it sucked me right back in. Lesson learned!
You really got me with "it teaches people to be rewarded for bad behavior". Lately I read something about success and it said I'd you in your heart believe some part of your path to be immoral you cannot be successful there. I'm starting to think this is why social media never kicked off for me - bc I just don't believe it's moral. Even if I break myself from the scroll, I don't want to contribute to the scroll addiction of others.
I feel the same. Thanks Becca xx
I "deleted" Instagram from my phone many times before I eventually nuked social media last year. I'd been on it for 12 years from age 13-25 and didn't know a social life without it. For anyone who's contemplating this but worries they'll be out of the loop—I was initially concerned about that too, but I honestly don't feel like I'm missing out. Disappearing from IG and FB and Twitter has had zero impact on my life. I haven't been tempted to return.
What a relief to read these words! I deleted my Instagram account completely a few months ago, and there’s not a single thing I miss about it. But I was wondering if there’s something wrong with me that I just cannot handle social media, that it makes me feel ick, and it always has. Everyone else I know seems fine with it so it’s validating to read your perspective.
I know several people who have none at all, so you’re not alone Geordie. It’s getting more and more ick because it’s getting harder for people to get attention. X
Your content is so bloody refreshing and hits the spot, it inspires me so much and i fkn feel what your saying.
So glad ❤️❤️
The most life giving and honest piece of writing I have read in a very long time. Thank you forever and always putting words to the songs in my heart.
Thank you Elise x
I had the exact same thought this morning right after posting 🫣
It's a sneaky little thing isn't it? XX
And usually the moment I delete it I found many nuggets to share!
"I said years ago that the tragedy of our generation will be that mothers spent more time on their screens than looking into their children’s eyes, and I stand by it.
I refuse to be a chronically distracted mother, even if it has become the standard.
There is no success important to me like the success of a holy home.
There is no one in my audience who needs me like my husband and children do."
This made me want to stand up and applaud! I wrote something similar years ago in a journal when I was struggling with social media. I wrote that I don't want to get to the end of my life and realize I looked at a screen more than in the eyes of my own children. I don't want all of their memories of me to be the top of my head or the blue glow of a screen reflecting on my face. I loved this article and I love your quote. I'm writing it down now as a reminder.
So good! I needed this today. I would also love to connect with you. Thank you for sharing your heart with the world. 🫶🏻
I deleted the app on and off and one day just deleted my account for good. I resonate with your words so much!!
This is such a breath of fresh air to read and I agree so deeply. I’ve been off of IG for almost a year. I had been doing the yoyo off and on for a while. Deleting the app, feeling free, then going back from a case of FOMO instead of from actual need. It was a horrible cycle and what I noticed when I would go back is that there wasn’t very many people who truly cared that i was back. Not many who truly used that platform for real engagement. It made it seem not worth it at all and def not worth sacrificing my time and attention for. Trading my mental capacity for a dopamine hit is not a worthwhile sacrifice. I now have zero socials on my phone except substack and wow it’s a great feeling! My kids get my eyeballs looking at them again! IG has become a bottomless pit. And once we jump in the fall is inevitable.
Feeling similarly, deleted the app a few days ago and this read has resonated so deeply. Thank you💜
Have been thinking about deleting it for weeks. Your words are a breath of fresh air. I just want to have babies and read them books. My husband has never had social and I’m ready to untangle myself and my identify from it.
This is simply astounding. I nodded to every word. I felt every sentence.
Yes, yes, yes!! Thank you for sharing
Absolutely echoing the confusion piece — when we are already the generation of entitled “you can do it all and be it all” and then make yourself available to more, better, what’s possible… potential feels like pressure. Possibility is no longer a horizon beckoning but a measuring stick, a performance, a constant trying. I set down my social media approach recently and for the first time in ten years, supplemented my business by getting a job. It was revolutionary. Touching real things one day a week, laughing with fellow weirdo creatives, indulging in sensory delights (it’s a notebook company). It’s been more life giving than my last launch, for sure!
Thank you! You’ve always been able to verbalize things I feel so well that I can’t even for myself! 🙏🏼🫶🏼 I resonated esp with the confusion part.
When my age 7 son who I’ve let play games on an iPad, has been asking for it more and more, then says to me “mom stop looking at instagram” 😮
I’m so fed up with it all. For all of us. I’ve experienced a lonely phase for a while now and instead live in my head.. and the “figuring out” where to live, how to date, how to earn more, how to be better mom and bring us closer to Jesus etc etc… it’s truly exhausting like you’ve said.
I think a TRUE break from a few apps would really support my and my son’s wellbeing. It’s been on my mind. Much love, again thank you! xo xo