If you don’t use social media..

[Anonymous]

What made you choose not to?
Do you feel like an outsider/cut off socially?

I used to have Facebook and I quit a couple years ago. I deleted my personal account. I have an account that I only use for groups and Facebook marketplace. I don’t add friends or post anything.

I feel like ever since I deleted mine, I am happier but I do feel a little cut off socially. I believe social media is very bad for your mental health.

[Anonymous]

I am still on Facebook but I quit Twitter and am definitely happier for it. Not the same, I know.

[Anonymous]

I only have a Reddit.

I had Facebook and IG, never Twitter. I originally deleted due to Meta and ongoing privacy breaches IMO. Realized social media or not, if you have a smart phone and go out in public privacy no longer exists.

But… I am happier without it. So no need to go back.

[Anonymous]

Same OP. I think quitting FB was the best choice for my mental health but I definitely feel disconnected from people. In particular, it means I’ve totally lost touch with people from my past— high school friends, old colleagues, etc.

But I don’t even maintain a FB account for marketplace or groups. I know if I did, I would wind up using it to look people up and get sucked in somehow. That’s why I quit— it was a time suck and made me too focused on what other people were up to, instead of just minding my own business.

[Anonymous]

I quit FB a few years ago and honestly have barely spoken to another human being since then.
Still completely worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Same OP. I think quitting FB was the best choice for my mental health but I definitely feel disconnected from people. In particular, it means I’ve totally lost touch with people from my past— high school friends, old colleagues, etc.

But I don’t even maintain a FB account for marketplace or groups. I know if I did, I would wind up using it to look people up and get sucked in somehow. That’s why I quit— it was a time suck and made me too focused on what other people were up to, instead of just minding my own business.

Op here. You make great points. It really is a time suck. For the most part I’ve been too busy to look up people from my past but there have been times when I have and I end up regretting it.

Your post made me think about how I often think the whole idea of staying in touch with all these people from the past is so unnatural. People fall out of touch and maybe it’s better that way sometimes. I’ve totally lost touch with tons of people too and there are a few I think about sometimes and wonder how they’re doing, but for the most part, I don’t regret leaving social media. And the stress of being on it is not worth it.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never used Facebook. Beyond the opportunity to see a few pictures, it seemed like a time suck. Later, it began to seem toxic as well. I’ve never felt cut off from the people that I want to be in contact with. I don’t post on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok, and it’s enough for me that I can see other people’s recent posts should I wish to do so. I have a LinkedIn account, and it’s been a nice way to reach out to people from my past.

I’m good. I probably text and talk on the phone more than many people do. tldr: I keep in touch with people that matter to me — and avoid a lot of distractions and faux news. That feels fine. I’m happy with my decision.

[Anonymous]

Nope, don’t feel like an outsider or cut off socially at all. Perfectly happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Same OP. I think quitting FB was the best choice for my mental health but I definitely feel disconnected from people. In particular, it means I’ve totally lost touch with people from my past— high school friends, old colleagues, etc.

But I don’t even maintain a FB account for marketplace or groups. I know if I did, I would wind up using it to look people up and get sucked in somehow. That’s why I quit— it was a time suck and made me too focused on what other people were up to, instead of just minding my own business.

Op here. You make great points. It really is a time suck. For the most part I’ve been too busy to look up people from my past but there have been times when I have and I end up regretting it.

Your post made me think about how I often think the whole idea of staying in touch with all these people from the past is so unnatural. People fall out of touch and maybe it’s better that way sometimes. I’ve totally lost touch with tons of people too and there are a few I think about sometimes and wonder how they’re doing, but for the most part, I don’t regret leaving social media. And the stress of being on it is not worth it.

NP. Sometimes I wonder about people in the past, then I realize 2 things. 1) I can still Google them if I care to know. 2) I moved away from and didn’t maintain friendships where actually speak to/communicate with each other for a reason.

I figure with the time saved from when I was doing a weird exhibitionist dance for Facebook, and the associated voyeuristic watching my “friends’” posts and photos, I could apply that energy to relationships I care about now and be a better friend. Plus I’m happier.

My sister is addicted and doesn’t want to stop. She will call and read posts to me or text me screenshots of friends and family. If my guard is down I sometimes get sucked into the drama a little. She’s only 35, so I point out that our mom loves reading Facebook to family members to keep everyone updated, and she usually stops. I don’t want drama. I don’t want angst. I’m too old for that high school nonsense. Heck, I was too old for it in high school. For every post I’m sad to miss, there are hundreds I’m grateful I didn’t see.

[Anonymous]

It all seems phony and exhibitionist. It’s unnatural to be at a theme park and taking pics and posting them and blogging about it. I don’t want FB owning my privacy. Anonymity is like a warm blanket. Experience life. Make weekly phone calls and keep up that way. It’s much deeper and expressive.

[Anonymous]

I have never had FB. I am sure I miss some pictures. My sister will update me on that girl who lived down the street growing up that was 2 years ahead of us in school...that I don't even remember

I guess I don't know what else I am missing.

[Anonymous]

I guess I just don’t care what other people are doing who I barely talk to in real life. I have my close friends who I talk to every day and communicate via text/call. But other than that,

I don’t care about some girl who I went to high school with had her 4th child. Or about some old coworker who moved to another state. Even when I had social media, I barely posted a bout my life at all. When I got a new job, got married, bought a house, etc, I kept it all to myself. I don’t see a point in social media.

What’s weird is that if you don’t have one, people look at you like a psychopath. Which is even more bizarre.

[Anonymous]

The only thing I have is Facebook. But I have unfollowed almost everyone except for true friends and close family (maybe 10 people) that I genuinely care about and they me. I don’t check it that often and mainly use it for news and local updates.

My huge time suck is DCUM and I don’t know how to quit. I have a lot of downtime waiting on my kids in pickup and in the evenings when they are at activities. I need a better and more appealing hobby but I haven’t found one yet.

[Anonymous]

I have family and friends abroad, and FB is perfect for that. But I can't stand it, and my introversion and inattentive ADHD don't make me a great responder anyway, via any sort of communication, so I abandoned FB a long time ago, never tried any other form of identified social media, and make do with emails to family, and Facetime with my parents. Friends abroad have pretty much disappeared because I don't keep up with them.

It is what is is. I'm happy with a small circle of friends and relatives.

[Anonymous]

I have FB but really only use it for groups. I agree DCUM is a much bigger time suck and more toxic than FB. But I am definitely addicted to it.