How quitting social media changed my life * 2 year update*

How Quitting Social Media Transformed My Life for the Better

Author

Ark
May 24, 2025

Two years ago, I made a life-altering decision: I quit all social media—Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, everything that kept me scrolling on my phone. At the time, I had no idea how profoundly this choice would impact every aspect of my life: my parenting, my marriage, my mental and physical health, and even my career. I only knew one thing: social media was producing outcomes in my life I didn’t want. I was more irritable with my daughter, constantly comparing my marriage to others, feeling insecure about my appearance, and my mind felt like a cluttered, chaotic mess. It was like a hoarder’s garage inside my brain. I couldn’t focus or be present, even for ten minutes with my daughter, because of the overwhelming influx of images, opinions, and information.

In this article, I want to share why I quit, the massive changes I experienced, and why I ultimately left my six-figure business built through Instagram. If you’re new here, I’m Jess, and I typically create content about minimalism, slow living, and intentional motherhood. Here’s how quitting social media changed my life for the better.

1. I Genuinely Like Who I Am Now

Quitting social media made me a more content, relaxed, and compassionate person. When I asked my husband if he noticed a difference in me since I left social media, he didn’t hesitate: “You’re way more content, relaxed, and less hard on yourself and others.” That sums up the transformation in my heart.

Social media thrives on inflammatory content—it’s designed to grab attention. The more I consumed it, the more reactive and judgmental I became in my daily interactions. I had less grace for others and was more critical, both online and in real life. Social media didn’t make me better at relationships; it made me less social, a worse friend, and a less present wife.

Contrast that with a recent playdate at a friend’s house. Our kids played, and we moms just sat together, talking about nothing profound. It was a simple, refreshing day. I left feeling recharged, something I never felt after scrolling social media. Real human connection fills you up in a way that social media never can. Instead, platforms like Instagram and TikTok left me feeling isolated, judgmental, and conflict-driven. Studies, like those cited in Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, confirm this: the more time people spend on social media, the lonelier they feel. Calling it “social” media is a misnomer—it’s about capturing your attention, not fostering connection.

Quitting allowed me to reclaim my attention as a finite resource, like money. This shift was especially poignant after I became a mother. I wanted to be present for my daughter, but social media kept pulling me away, even when I wasn’t on the apps. I’d think about posts or comments while with my child or spouse, which made it hard to be fully present. Deleting those apps created space for hobbies, play, and stillness—things I hadn’t valued before. I now spend more time outdoors, which has improved my physical and mental health. My nervous system is calmer, and I’m no longer flooded with stress hormones from the fast-paced, chaotic nature of social media.

2. I Became a Better Mom

Quitting social media made motherhood more enjoyable and made me a more present, patient parent. Before, my attention was constantly elsewhere, trained by apps to always be thinking about the next post or video. My daughter’s interruptions—her wanting to show me a snail or play pretend—felt like disruptions to my world. But kids’ interruptions are just them sharing their lives. By removing social media, I could share her world instead of feeling pulled away.

I also became less stressed. As a new mom, I followed countless parenting accounts, thinking I could study my way into being perfect. But the flood of advice—don’t say this, do that, avoid this food—left me second-guessing myself and my husband. It fueled anxiety and eroded my intuition. Without social media, I’m more relaxed, trusting myself to make mistakes and learn. My husband and I are more unified in our parenting, free from the fear-based, comparison-driven mindset social media fostered.

Finally, quitting aligned with our values for raising our daughter. We want her to have a healthy relationship with technology, delaying smartphone and social media access until she’s older. By modeling this ourselves, we’re creating the environment we want for her.

3. My Marriage Improved

Social media was suffocating my marriage with comparison and judgment. I’d see curated posts about other marriages and feel ours fell short, or I’d critique my husband based on what I saw online. This created tension and eroded intimacy. Quitting freed me from that cycle, allowing me to be more content and gracious with him.

The mental clutter from social media also made it hard to be present with my husband. My brain felt “flighty,” jumping from one image or comment to the next, even during our alone time. Now, I’m more relaxed and receptive, and our emotional and physical intimacy has deepened. We enjoy our time together more, unburdened by the pressure to measure up to online ideals.

4. I’m More Gracious and Less Judgmental

Quitting social media made me less reactive and more empathetic. Before, I was easily offended and conflict-driven, amplified by the inflammatory nature of social media. The ease of posting without reflection—hitting “record” in the heat of the moment—meant I sometimes contributed to the toxic culture I disliked. Now, I’m more intentional. Creating long-form content on YouTube, where I spend hours editing, forces me to reflect: Is this worth saying? Is it gracious? Does it add clarity or peace? This slower, more thoughtful approach aligns with my values.

Why I Left My Six-Figure Business

Perhaps the most surprising outcome was leaving my six-figure business built on Instagram. From 2017 to 2020, I ran an online business, booking clients and selling services through the platform. But by 2020, the stress and toxicity of social media became unbearable. The content I produced and the circles I was in felt increasingly misaligned with my values.

My husband and I had always lived within his income, using mine to pay off debt and save for a house. This financial discipline, rooted in premarital counseling advice, gave us the freedom to make big decisions. After months of prayer and discussion, I dissolved my LLC and transitioned to a new career. Soon after, I got pregnant, and being off social media allowed me to enjoy pregnancy and motherhood without the pressure of being public-facing.

Many colleagues reached out, wanting to leave their social media-based businesses too. Since then, I’ve seen others thrive by moving to long-form content like YouTube, podcasts, or email lists. My own YouTube channel, started as a passion project, grew to over 30,000 subscribers in less than a year, proving you can create content and build a business without relying on social media.

Final Thoughts

Quitting social media was a decisive step to align my life with my values. It wasn’t easy, and the benefits didn’t come immediately, but the fruit has been undeniable: more patience, self-control, and grace; better relationships with my daughter, husband, and others; and a healthier, more intentional life. If you’re feeling trapped by social media—whether for personal use or a business—ask yourself: Could this be different? How? These simple questions sparked my journey, and I hope they inspire you to make choices that bear the fruit you want in your life.

#Innovation #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #DigitalMarketing #Technology #Career #Networking #Business #Motivation #FutureOfWork

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