Great points! In September I chose to permanently wipe my personal Insta, Snap and TikTok accounts (thankfully I’ve never had Facebook) and haven’t regretted it. I hardly used them anyway. In addition to all your listed reasons, a major one of mine was privacy concerns. I don’t trust those companies at all. And living more in the present brings nothing but good things.
I still have accounts for my business, but I keep those on a separate device and don’t check them daily, and when I do check them it feels like a chore. This system has worked well for me as a balance so far, but we’ll see how it continues into the future.
That’s amazing, I totally agree with you about living in the present. Also, that is a great point about privacy and these companies, I never trusted them also, it’s good to have as little connection as possible.
This is such a good decision. I quit all social media over 5 years ago. Substack is my new exception, but not remotely like the click bait of other platforms. I also took the independent publishing house I run off all social media at the same time. We had large numbers of followers but feeding the platforms ate a huge amount of time and I could see no benefits in sales of books and real engagement. The decision was not popular with a lot of the authors, who were sure we we were commiting suicide and sinking their books and events without trace. On the contrary, sales went up, not down, and as many people as ever came to book launches and events. It's so vital to be in spaces that are about real reading and support not cheap 'like' clicks that mean nothing but keep you from distracted from real conversations while your data is being mined. Hope your writing goes from strength to strength.
Excellent to read your objective assessment of things- and your sales went up! Maybe you were reaching thinking people, not just "click bait'
I would be interested in your publishing house, could you send me details please as I have a book I would like to publish but have not found a publisher that I would like to work with.
Wow, this is awesome to read, make me even more glad, wish I did it sooner, but at least it’s done now. I can see how good Substack is already, so many good writers!
I think its beneficial for all but easiest for those who grew up without it. I dont use it for work so if it all disappeared tomorrow, Id lose nothing.
Thank you, Alexander. Outside of Substack, I made a decision years ago to use Social Meda as a “dump and go” modality. My marketing advisors told me it was a mistake - that I needed to dialogue with interested onlookers. Well, that decision turned out to keep my mind clean. Congrats on being social media clean!
As a psychologist and resident Bible scholar, the studies I have conducted on the relationship between social media and depression - well, it is disheartening. I pray your article helps the masses. We will do our part in getting it out there. Have a blessed evening.
Agreed. I often look into nature and see the face of God. I smile, then He embraces me with the comfort of His magnificent creation. At this moment, I often shed a tear.
This reminds me of my decision to quit social media too, it was for academics though. I realized that I lost nothing.
Like you said, people would just comment and the next minute, they are busy with their lives. We should give values to our family and do things that breeds true happiness.
This is very encouraging to hear, and I am so happy for you. I appreciate you sharing this - it seems to have really struck a chord, too, judging by the comments!
I’ve been an only on Substack now reader since 2019 and it’s been so refreshing not to be scrolling on those other sites full of fake feeds and monetized everything and negativity and nonsense. Glad to be mostly social media free. The privacy issue is huge but unfortunately I do not believe we have any control as we’ve been surveilled since the destruction of net neutrality. I just hope Substack doesn’t become what they are now.
Recently, I deactivated my FB because it was just depressing me. The only thing I've really missed is one aunt who shares her paintings and artwork. But I could always just ask her to text me a picture.
That’s about it for me too, I have some artists and friends on there, but friends know where to message me if needed and I can see the artists on other sources as well.
Good post Alexander! I keep Facebook mostly to keep in touch with friends. The same with a Instagram. But often I find myself addicted to reels. Watching one after another of food reels. most of these recipes I will never make but they’re fascinating to watch and learn. But due to the algorithms they are prominently shown in my feed..
I love this - you clearly state such a simple truth.
I’m currently on my personal Facebook and Instagram two days a week. It’s a new approach for me and so far, it seems to be working! Meaning, I feel it is a good balance of real life and staying connected/being able to promote my offerings. We’ll see if it sticks.
I feel much better now that I only use my blog for social media. I check my FB messenger time to time, but that’s it. I also feel like I’m not overloaded with the blog work, as before if I wanted to post extra I’d feel like I was already too long in front of the screen.
Great points! In September I chose to permanently wipe my personal Insta, Snap and TikTok accounts (thankfully I’ve never had Facebook) and haven’t regretted it. I hardly used them anyway. In addition to all your listed reasons, a major one of mine was privacy concerns. I don’t trust those companies at all. And living more in the present brings nothing but good things.
I still have accounts for my business, but I keep those on a separate device and don’t check them daily, and when I do check them it feels like a chore. This system has worked well for me as a balance so far, but we’ll see how it continues into the future.
That’s amazing, I totally agree with you about living in the present. Also, that is a great point about privacy and these companies, I never trusted them also, it’s good to have as little connection as possible.
Isn’t it weirdly fun to delete accounts? My personal favorite was LinkedIn. :) Twitter felt pretty good, though.
Yeah, I deleted Twitter just after a month of creating haha
A very, very good move!
haha yes
This is such a good decision. I quit all social media over 5 years ago. Substack is my new exception, but not remotely like the click bait of other platforms. I also took the independent publishing house I run off all social media at the same time. We had large numbers of followers but feeding the platforms ate a huge amount of time and I could see no benefits in sales of books and real engagement. The decision was not popular with a lot of the authors, who were sure we we were commiting suicide and sinking their books and events without trace. On the contrary, sales went up, not down, and as many people as ever came to book launches and events. It's so vital to be in spaces that are about real reading and support not cheap 'like' clicks that mean nothing but keep you from distracted from real conversations while your data is being mined. Hope your writing goes from strength to strength.
Excellent to read your objective assessment of things- and your sales went up! Maybe you were reaching thinking people, not just "click bait'
I would be interested in your publishing house, could you send me details please as I have a book I would like to publish but have not found a publisher that I would like to work with.
Hey, yes, send me an email at alexandersemenyuk33@gmail.com
Wow, this is awesome to read, make me even more glad, wish I did it sooner, but at least it’s done now. I can see how good Substack is already, so many good writers!
I think its beneficial for all but easiest for those who grew up without it. I dont use it for work so if it all disappeared tomorrow, Id lose nothing.
Yes, I think thar’s a great point, I grew up with nature, sports, lego, books, farms.
Thank you, Alexander. Outside of Substack, I made a decision years ago to use Social Meda as a “dump and go” modality. My marketing advisors told me it was a mistake - that I needed to dialogue with interested onlookers. Well, that decision turned out to keep my mind clean. Congrats on being social media clean!
Thanks for reading! Clean is a great way to describe it, my mind really is feeling cleaner now! Great comment and so glad it’s working out for you!
As a psychologist and resident Bible scholar, the studies I have conducted on the relationship between social media and depression - well, it is disheartening. I pray your article helps the masses. We will do our part in getting it out there. Have a blessed evening.
Amen. That makes so much sense. In the silence of the nature and mind we can build a better relationship with God as well, and have clearer prayers.
Agreed. I often look into nature and see the face of God. I smile, then He embraces me with the comfort of His magnificent creation. At this moment, I often shed a tear.
That’s beautiful, special to have that connection.
Exactly! You organize your surroundings and suddenly life is peaceful.
Yes!
This reminds me of my decision to quit social media too, it was for academics though. I realized that I lost nothing.
Like you said, people would just comment and the next minute, they are busy with their lives. We should give values to our family and do things that breeds true happiness.
This is a great post, Alex 😊.
A blessing in disguise, God is amazing. Thanks so much for reading!
Social Media is quite addictive. Good points to rethink our usage.
Absolutely!
This is very encouraging to hear, and I am so happy for you. I appreciate you sharing this - it seems to have really struck a chord, too, judging by the comments!
Seems that way! I think a lot of people want to be more free from the social media and all the ads and negativity.
I’ve been an only on Substack now reader since 2019 and it’s been so refreshing not to be scrolling on those other sites full of fake feeds and monetized everything and negativity and nonsense. Glad to be mostly social media free. The privacy issue is huge but unfortunately I do not believe we have any control as we’ve been surveilled since the destruction of net neutrality. I just hope Substack doesn’t become what they are now.
That’s great, you clearly made a good choice very early! I’m glad to be here now! I also hope they don’t change it to be like other blog platforms.
Recently, I deactivated my FB because it was just depressing me. The only thing I've really missed is one aunt who shares her paintings and artwork. But I could always just ask her to text me a picture.
That’s about it for me too, I have some artists and friends on there, but friends know where to message me if needed and I can see the artists on other sources as well.
It is all so impersonal isn't it
I think we need to use our mobile phones for phoning people and talking to them- not just texts and emails and photos etc.
That is much better!
Great advice. My novel isn't going to get written if I'm busy on LinkedIn for hours. Great post.
Thanks a lot, yes, that’s a good example!
Good post Alexander! I keep Facebook mostly to keep in touch with friends. The same with a Instagram. But often I find myself addicted to reels. Watching one after another of food reels. most of these recipes I will never make but they’re fascinating to watch and learn. But due to the algorithms they are prominently shown in my feed..
haha yes, so easy to get caught up, I’d watch nature videos sometime for 20 minutes
It is great having freedom from the traps of this world.
I personally have not owned a TV for over 40 years.
Whenever I stay at a motel I watch it for an hour or two and think of all the time I could have wasted.
Try giving up TV for a week or a month or a year, it is even more liberating than no Facebook, which I quit about a year ago.
Its true, Im very limited with TV now
I love this - you clearly state such a simple truth.
I’m currently on my personal Facebook and Instagram two days a week. It’s a new approach for me and so far, it seems to be working! Meaning, I feel it is a good balance of real life and staying connected/being able to promote my offerings. We’ll see if it sticks.
Also, nice to meet you! ✌️
Very nice to meet you!
I feel much better now that I only use my blog for social media. I check my FB messenger time to time, but that’s it. I also feel like I’m not overloaded with the blog work, as before if I wanted to post extra I’d feel like I was already too long in front of the screen.
I have done the same. A new life. Different but gooder. :-) Those interested or bothered can read on my SubStack Home.
It feels great!
WOW...Thank you. I REALLY need to consider this...my thoughts...just got nuked!
It makes a really huge difference, I have a few friends who have done it years ago and been telling me how good it feels, I see much better now why