The Year I Logged Off: What a Year Without Social Media Taught Me

Notebook holding the writers thoughts with pen resting on it sits on an outdoor wooden table.

Last year, I made a bold decision that changed my life: I logged off social media for good. For days afterward, I found myself reaching for my phone, only to remember that my accounts were gone. It was second nature to scroll, like, comment, and post. But I needed a break. As I reflect on this past year, I want to share what led to my decision, what I've learned, and where I'm headed.

If you're curious, you can read last November's post about breaking up with social media here.

The election was the breaking point. Despite my efforts to stay grounded in compassion, the online world became a chaotic whirlwind, leaving me feeling disoriented and overwhelmed. I gave myself permission to step back, scrap the online presence I had spent months and years building, and focus on my mental health.

I quickly realized how much time I had spent online and how it had agitated me. I made changes to how I consumed news, spent my time, and interacted with others. It was a journey of constant experimentation and recalibration.

My days transformed. I found joy in reading, writing, and cooking. My family moved to a new home, and I felt a renewed sense of purpose. Breaking away from social media allowed me to reconnect with my passions and find peace in the present moment.

Overall, stepping away from social media has been a breath of fresh air, reminding me that true connection lies in the real world, not the virtual one.

I'll end this post with a short piece of writing from the past year that captures the rhythm I'm learning to inhabit.