The Great Disconnect: Why I Left Social Media for Good
December 2024 was the month I finally made a decision that had been simmering in my mind for years: this time, when I deactivated my social media accounts, it would be for good. No more “temporary breaks,” no more sneaky reactivations. This was it.
In truth, I had never been a huge fan of social media. Years ago, I had already abandoned Snapchat and Twitter, back in 2017 or 2018, leaving only Instagram and TikTok as my last remaining ties to the digital frenzy. For a while, I thought I could live with just those two. But by the end of 2024, I realised even that was no longer true.
Breaking Up with Instagram
Instagram was the first to go. I had grown sick of it; its pretentiousness, its monotony, its unrelenting push for perfection. My relationship with Instagram had always been rocky: an on-again, off-again cycle that left me feeling increasingly disillusioned. It wasn’t just the platform’s aggressive shift towards monetisation that bothered me, though that certainly didn’t help. What truly grated on me was the energy of it all. Instagram no longer felt like a space to share moments and connect; it had transformed into a stage, with millions of performers clamouring for applause. I saw people scrambling for validation in the form of likes, views, comments, and reposts; like they were chasing something that would never truly satisfy them. It felt hollow, almost desperate. I couldn’t shake the sense that the app was amplifying a deeper insecurity in its users, eroding any authentic sense of self-worth or purpose. Every time I scrolled, I felt a vague discomfort I couldn’t quite articulate. Was it the endless comparisons? The performative nature of it all? One evening, after yet another fruitless scroll, it hit me: I’d had enough. With no fanfare or hesitation, I deleted my account; permanently.
The TikTok Trap
With Instagram gone, I naturally found myself spending more time on TikTok. At first, it felt like a breath of fresh air: fast-paced, entertaining, and seemingly less polished than Instagram. But it didn’t take long for me to see the cracks. The more I scrolled, the more I realised how repetitive and, frankly, mind-numbing it was. I began to notice patterns; these strange, carbon-copy subcultures. The motivational speakers recycling the same clichés. The fashion bloggers showcasing identical outfits. The fitness influencers pushing the same glutes routines. Even the “black girl luxury” corner of TikTok had become formulaic: Van Cleef bracelets, Lululemon leggings, and Hermès sandals arranged just so.
It felt like everyone was living the same life in different fonts. Where was the individuality? The authenticity? It was as if people had traded their identities for trends, moulding themselves into whatever was popular at the moment.
As someone with big ambitions; dreams that demand discipline, focus, and relentless effort; I couldn’t ignore the truth: TikTok wasn’t helping me grow. It was draining my time, my energy, and my sense of purpose. So, just as I had done with Instagram, I deleted my TikTok account.
The Great RICO Sweep
Once I started, I couldn’t stop. TikTok and Instagram were gone, but I knew the problem ran deeper. Social media as a whole had become a distraction; a space where I was more of a passive consumer than an active participant in my own life. And so, the “RICO sweep” began. Every single active social media account I had, from LinkedIn to Pinterest, was deactivated. No half-measures, no lingering backups “just in case.” It was all gone.
The Liberation of Letting Go
To some, this decision might seem extreme, even radical. But for me, it felt necessary. Social media had become a noisy, overcrowded room where I could no longer hear my own thoughts. I needed space to focus on the things that truly mattered: my goals, my growth, my real life. Since leaving, I’ve felt lighter. Calmer. More present. The absence of constant notifications and endless scrolling has been a gift to my future self, a way to reclaim my time and energy for the things that truly deserve them. Letting go of social media wasn’t just about deleting apps; it was about choosing a different way of being. A way of life that values authenticity over performance, discipline over distraction, and purpose over popularity.
Sometimes, the best connection you can make is with yourself.
P, xo
