I Stopped Using Facebook & Instagram. Here's Why.
This was originally posted in July 2022. After it was posted, I tried to go back on Instagram and Facebook. Then in December 2023, I deleted both and I haven’t looked back. It’s been over a year now! While it’s inconvenient at times, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made to protect my mental health.🩵
Quitting is Not Failure
I want to talk about my decision to quit Facebook and Instagram. On this channel, I’ve discussed quitting things before – quitting teaching, my tutoring business, and transitioning to new endeavors. I believe it’s natural to make changes in our lives and evolve.
There’s a lot of rhetoric suggesting that quitting equals failure, but I strongly disagree. There’s nothing wrong with choosing to stop doing something, whether it’s a career change or deciding to leave a social media platform. We need to embrace these evolutions in our lives.
Instagram Has Changed Over Time
Instagram has changed significantly since I started using it for my business in 2018. Initially, it was simpler and more focused on photo content and stories. Over time, with the rise of TikTok, Instagram has shifted to compete by prioritizing reels. While I initially enjoyed creating reels, the platform’s redesign made it challenging to use without getting distracted.
I used to love sharing updates about my day-to-day experiences, including living with health conditions, raising children, and running a business. However, Instagram no longer felt right for me. By the end of May, I decided to delete my account. It officially disappeared at the end of June, and I haven’t looked back.
Is Facebook Bad For Your Mental Health?
Similarly to Instagram, Facebook became overwhelming for me. In May 2022, there were several tragic events in the United States, and the discussions surrounding them were emotionally taxing. Consuming so much information negatively impacted my mental health.
Some may wonder why I didn’t just delete the app or deactivate my profile. For me, completely separating myself by going cold turkey was the best option. Over the years, I’ve deleted my accounts multiple times, starting from scratch each time. This time, I’m uncertain if I’ll ever return.
Marketing My Business On Instagram Was Not Working
Another reason I left Instagram was its lack of return on investment for my business. While some customers did find me through Instagram, the numbers didn’t justify the time and energy spent. I realized I could achieve similar results through email marketing or other platforms that didn’t negatively impact my mental health.
Social Media is Addictive
Both Instagram and Facebook are designed to be addictive, keeping users on the platform as long as possible to maximize ad revenue. This design affects attention, mood, and mental health. For me, the constant comparisons and frequent checking were too distracting.
Choosing Health and Wellbeing Over Social Media
Ultimately, I chose to quit these platforms for my health, wellbeing, and family. The time and energy spent on social media could be redirected to other areas of my life. Even if it meant taking a risk or building my business differently, the trade-off was worth it.
Marketing Without Social Media
If you want to make money from home without relying on social media, I encourage you to consider either making YouTube videos or starting a blog like the one you're reading now.
While Youtube is sometimes categorized as social media, It works differently. Your videos can get views years after they are created, and continue to bring more sales!
Learn how to use YouTube to make money
About the Author
I’m a married mom of two and a former classroom teacher. Despite facing significant health challenges, I’ve earned over $70K from home all while keeping my well-being and family as my top priorities. I’m here to help you do the same with blogging, email newsletters, and YouTube!
