I Quit Social Media for a Month - Here’s How It Changed My Life
I recently did something pretty drastic. Well, drastic for me. I took a serious break from social media. No mindless scrolling, no checking in on everyone else’s lives, no deep dives into internet drama. Just a full-on pause.
Why? Because I realised I was spending way more time consuming than creating - and let’s be honest, there are only so many dog videos and conspiracy theories one person can absorb before their brain turns to mush. So, for the past month or so, I went cold turkey (okay, maybe lukewarm turkey - I still had to check the odd WhatsApp message).
Here’s what I learned:
1. I Actually Kept a Promise to Myself
I said I’d take a break, and I actually did it. No cheating, no sneaky little peeks And let me tell you, that alone was a revelation. I was so focused on sticking to my decision that I shocked even myself.
The result? My phone usage dropped from five or six hours a day to just 30 minutes. THIRTY. MINUTES. That’s practically monk-level discipline. I mean, that deserves a standing ovation, right? Cue slow clap.
Of course, I’ve since crept back a little, but my screen time is still way down. And honestly? It feels amazing.
2. I Got So Much Done (Sort Of)
With all this free time, I was so productive. Well, mostly. Sure, I swapped a bit of scrolling for some high-quality TV bingeing, but I also got through a ton of things I’d been putting off. One achievement that I am proud of is becoming an ADHD Coach. I cannot wait to empower more ADHD Entrepreneurs with systems and strategies that suit them. One of the key areas is time management & stress reduction. Take a look at my ADHD Entrepreneur’s Time & Energy Reset packed full of ADHD-friendly time management & self-care strategies.
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I read more & listened to Daniel Priestley Oversubscribed which I highly recommend, I loved the ease of this how to guide to getting oversubscribed. I organised my life a little and even sat with my own thoughts for a change (turns out, they’re not too bad). There were also a lot of saunas and a lot of cold plunges too.
It’s wild how much time opens up when you’re not constantly checking your phone for updates on people you haven’t seen in 15 years. Turns out, maybe I don’t actually need more time - I just need less scrolling.
3. I Felt Less Connected
This one surprised me. I knew I’d be cutting out the noise, but I didn’t expect to miss the connection so much. I wasn’t seeing updates from friends, I missed birthdays, business achievements, big life moments. It felt a bit lonely at times, especially as someone who works for themselves.
Social media does have its downsides, but it also helps keep us plugged into our communities - especially when we don’t have an office to gossip in. The key, I think, is using it and connecting with intention, not just as a mindless habit.
4. The Break from the World Was a Gift
I have ADHD, which means I can hyperfocus on things - especially when it comes to world events. Before my break, I was deep in the trenches of global news, particularly everything happening in the Middle East and the US. And honestly? It was wrecking my mental health.
Taking a step back didn’t mean I stopped caring - it just meant I wasn’t drowning in information I couldn’t do anything about. And let’s be real: most people are only just catching up to the things I was spiralling over six months ago. This is not meant to be flippant as it relates to simple everyday things and not just the atrocities in the world at the moment...but here’s a strange kind of peace in realising that not everything needs my immediate attention.
5. My Mental Health is So Much Better
This was the biggest takeaway. The weight of not constantly consuming social media? Huge. The clarity, the focus, the ability to just exist without comparing myself to strangers on the internet - it was a game changer.
That being said, I know I can’t quit completely. Social media is part of my business, part of how I connect with people. But I don’t need to be on it for five or six hours a day. I love the accountability of seeing my weekly phone usage report, and I’m aiming to keep it around an hour from now on.
So, am I back? Sort of. But I’m different now. Wiser. More intentional, less habitual. Less likely to fall into a two-hour TikTok hole at 11 p.m. (fingers crossed).
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I highly recommend a break. Even a short one. You might be surprised at what you learn about yourself - and how much time you get back for things that actually matter.
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