The best thing I did for myself in the past few years is to delete my social media accounts. It made me happier and more productive. I have a much better relationship with my phone, the Internet, and current events now. Plus, my screen time is limited and I spend way more time working on creative projects than doomscrolling social media apps.
I'm not the only one. Lately a lot of people have been asking me about deleting social media. So I thought I would share a few tips that made it easier for me to bite the bullet and pull the plug so I could keep my nose to the grindstone and...use more idioms.
Let's get into it:
STEP ONE: Take a look at your screen time on all devices and face the facts. You're wasting a lot of time on social media apps. So get rid of them. Delete the apps from your phone or iPad. Sign out of them on your computer, too.
Now when you think about logging on, you'll see that they aren't there any more or you have to enter your log-in information before you can access it. You want to put as many roadblocks between you and social media as possible.
STEP TWO: Start small. Try to string a few days together, then a full week. Before you know it a full month will have gone by and you'll start to realize that social media isn't as necessary as you thought it was.
By the time I permanently deleted my social media accounts I was only logging on once every few weeks. I'd only go on for a minute or two, before thinking to myself, "This is pointless, why did I get back on here?" Once you get to that point, deleting the accounts will be much easier.
STEP THREE: Back up your files. Just because you're deleting your accounts doesn't mean you have to delete all of your photos and videos, too. Each network has a feature that will allow you to download those important files and store them somewhere safe.
Take a moment to find the files worth keeping and add them to the cloud or a hard drive so you will always be able to access them later, when needed.
STEP FOUR: Let people know you're leaving. Or don't. It's really up to you. But no need to write a status about it - that's just virtue signalling. It's the online version of "I don't watch TV!" Seriously, who would write dozens and dozens of posts about getting off of social media?
Instead, let your closest friends and family know via text, email, or phone call. That way you've let them know directly that you still value those relationships and want to keep in touch and you've also gotten them used to the idea that they'll need to resort to other means to contact you.
STEP FIVE: Walk away. Delete your accounts and reclaim your life.
Some of the networks make it hard to delete your account, so here's a good guide from Wired on how to do it.
It may take a couple weeks or a couple months but sometime soon, not long after you've deleted your social media, you'll start seeing the world differently.
You'll find it weird that news organizations rely so heavily on Twitter or look strangely at people taking photos of their brunch for Instgram. You'll want to roll your eyes when you hear someone say "I saw on facebook that..." or you see a TikTok "star" getting interviewed on a talk show.
The world of social media is bizarre. It's all part of these companies ploy to keep you using their services. The more shocking, wild, and crazy stuff they put out the more you'll keep coming back for more. But once you get out you'll see it for what it is: a dangerous, addictive, and unnecessary part of life.
You may not be ready yet but here are a few things you should watch and read to help get you there:
- The Social Dilemma on Netflix
- "How To Break Up With Your Phone" by Catherine Price
- "Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now" by Jaron Lanier
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About Mark Toland
Mark Toland is an award-winning mind reader and two-time TEDx Speaker. His mind blowing skills have been featured on NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, NPR, WGN, Sirius XM, and more. Mark’s blog is a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a professional entertainer, full of creative thoughts for creative people. Sign up below so you’ll never miss a post.
