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How I Quit Social Media for Good—and How You Can Too
So you've deleted social media. Here's how to STAY off.
Ark
April 10, 2025
By Jillian
About 1,112 days ago, I made a dramatic decision: I deleted all my social media accounts. It wasn’t a whim—it was a necessity. Back then, my mornings were a whirlwind of anxiety, my days consumed by comparison, and my identity tethered to likes, follows, and the latest TikTok trends. Today, my life looks radically different—calmer, fuller, and authentically mine. If you’ve ever considered ditching the apps and reclaiming your time, here’s my story and a practical guide to making it stick.
Life Before: A Digital Mess
I’m 23 now, which means I came of age alongside Instagram, TikTok, and the rise of the influencer. I got my first Instagram account at 11 or 12, and for nearly a decade, social media dominated my world. By the time I was 20 or 21, I was a textbook oversharer, an attention-seeker, and a comparison junkie. I’d toss bits of myself online for validation, defining my worth through zodiac signs, TikTok aesthetics, and whatever my favorite celebrities were up to. I had no self-reliance, no trust in my own instincts—just a constant need to measure up.
Post-college, living at home with my parents and jobless, I’d scroll through feeds of peers who were married with kids or influencers my age jetting off to exotic locales. It amplified my insecurities: Everyone’s thriving, and I’m failing. My coping mechanisms? Diving headfirst into fan culture—Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, you name it—anything to escape reality. I was anxious, sad, and tethered to my phone. Something had to change.
The Breaking Point
2021 was rough. By year’s end, I was emotionally drained and craving healing. In a dramatic flourish (I’m a bit of a drama queen), I decided to delete my social media and take 2022 off to “heal faster.” I spent that year living fully—collecting experiences, not likes—planning a grand 2023 return to show off my glow-up. But when New Year’s Eve 2022 rolled around, I realized I didn’t want to go back. I was happier, more grounded, and finally becoming the person I’d always wanted to be. So, I stayed off—for good.
Life After: Three Years Clean
Three years without social media have transformed me. I’m 23, and I’ve never felt more myself. Here’s how I’ve changed:
Grounded and Grateful: I’m okay with the mundane—average is my new happy place. I feel gratitude for the smallest things: a crackling candle, a free afternoon, even chapstick on my lips. Pre-social media me would’ve scoffed, trapped in the comparison spiral.
Confident and Private: I’m no longer the oversharer begging for attention. I keep my life close now—what’s mine is mine, not the internet’s.
Desiring Normalcy: Once, I dreamed of viral fame, marrying a rockstar, and living glamorously in Italy. Now? I crave a quiet life—a ranch or beach town, a kind husband in a cowboy hat, kids, maybe teaching. Normalcy fills me with joy, not desperation.
How I Stayed Off—and How You Can Too
Quitting social media isn’t just about deleting apps; it’s about rebuilding a life that doesn’t need them. Here’s how I’ve stayed off for over 1,000 days—and counting:
Make It a Big Deal: I framed it as my “Reputation Era” (yes, Taylor Swift-inspired). I told everyone, streamed empowering playlists, and leaned into the drama to stay motivated.
Reconnect IRL: I reached out to old friends and made new ones. Even if most didn’t stick, it got me out of bed and into the world.
Find Digital Mentors: Self-help YouTubers like Tam Kaur, Jillz Guerin, and Lana Blakely inspired me to grow. Their advice—about confidence, not just social media—kept me going.
Stay Culturally Curious (at First): Commentary YouTubers like Salem Tovar and Carly Casey helped me avoid FOMO by keeping me in the loop. I’ve since ditched them—too toxic—but they were a lifeline early on.
Remember Your Why: My reason was healing from 2021’s pain. Every time I wavered, I reminded myself: The apps will pull you back into regret.
Foster Hobbies: I started writing a novel (still in progress!), rediscovered reading (The Midnight Library by Matt Haig was a game-changer), got into baking, and picked up piano again. Hobbies fill the void scrolling leaves.
Leave Fan Culture: I used to cling to celebrity updates as my reason to stay online. Letting go freed me completely.
Get Physical: I started walking, running, and doing Pilates in 2024. It boosts my mood and keeps me off my phone.
Lean on Family: Spending time with loved ones pulled me out of isolation. Connection—not hibernation—spurs growth.
Romanticize the Mundane: Pinterest boards, books, and movies like Little Women and Stardust helped me see beauty in simplicity.
Embrace Patience: Social media thrives on instant gratification; I learned to slow down, savoring quiet walks or a day with a book.
Say Yes: I became a “yes” person—open to new experiences, not paralyzed by fear or perfectionism.
Explore Faith: Deepening my religious beliefs shifted my focus away from screens.
Face Anxiety: I stopped hiding behind headphones or excuses. Smiling at a stranger or skipping the scroll in a store made me stronger.
Educate Yourself: Without social media’s echo chamber, I formed my own opinions on politics and the world—unswayed by influencers.
The Gift of a Thousand Days
After 1,000+ days, I’ve gained something priceless: myself. I’m no longer a reflection of Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, or random influencers—I’m shaped by my mom, my best friend, my brothers, my grandmother, and me. My identity isn’t crowdsourced; it’s mine to define.
If you’re ready to disconnect, start small—delete one app, find one hobby, say yes once. You don’t need a grand “Reputation Era” like me (though it helps!). Life off social media isn’t perfect, but it’s real. And trust me, real feels so much better.
Want more? Check out my YouTube channel for advice videos and vlogs romanticizing a screen-free life. I’m Jillian, by the way—nice to meet you. Let’s shake hands through the screen and step into a world beyond the blue light. Love you—bye!
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