One Year Without Social Media

As some of you may know, I recently returned from a year-long hiatus from social media. To be precise, it was 14 months. I logged in occasionally to retrieve a misplaced email or phone number, but overall, I refrained from using Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other social media platform from October 2022 until January 2024. Instead, I reverted to traditional marketing techniques, optimized SEO for Silent Portraits, developed the website www.whoiscamerahead.com, and simply took a break from society. It was a fantastic experience. Now that I'm back, I want to share some insights that might benefit others who wish to detach from social media but feel it's essential in today's world. Here are five important lessons.

My first attempts returning to the world of paint

Time

The amount of time I saved was unbelievable! I never thought I was overly dependent on any social media platform and believed I managed my time well. But once I logged out and deleted these apps from my phone, I almost immediately felt like I had an extra 2-3 hours per day. This newfound time allowed me to exercise and lose weight - I went from 350 to 300 lbs. I started preparing more elaborate meals, took up painting again after a long hiatus – a skill my wife Krista, of seven years, hadn't seen before. My photography skills also improved, as I used the time I would have spent scrolling through memes to connect with companies, leading to the use of my photos. I also delved into writing, even self-publishing a book. Time spent in waiting rooms, like at doctor's appointments, became productive as I used it to read books and brainstorm ideas. I would say that using time more effectively is one of the biggest advantages of limiting social media.

My Wife Krista and our son Jo Jo at a Diane Arbus exhibit

Human Connectivity

We often justify social media use by saying it's how we stay connected, and that's a valid point. Social media is indeed a double-edged sword in this respect. My experience was this: after a few months of not using social media, I would run into people whose primary connection with me was through these platforms. These encounters were genuinely pleasant. I loved catching up with them and learning about what they had been up to. They would ask to see pictures of my boys, and I happily shared. However, there's no guarantee you'll randomly meet people and catch up. Social media does facilitate staying in touch, and there were downsides to missing out on that. I knew not everyone would text me – everyone has their own life – so I reached out to them. What I didn't anticipate were people who got upset because I didn't use social media in the way they thought I should, leading to the end of some friendships. Many of my texts went unread or ignored. When I rejoined social media, I found that many had unfriended or unfollowed me. We're not meant to be friends with everyone, and relationships change, which I understand and respect. But it does sting a bit to realize that people you considered close friends saw you only as an acquaintance. This aspect of social media is indeed a double-edged sword, and something to consider if you're thinking about taking a break from it.

Living out of the back of my SUV exploring random nature.

Mental Health

Regarding mental health, I'm only speaking from my personal experience. My mental health improved significantly without social media. I still kept up with current events through podcasts and updates from friends. I read articles, so I wasn’t completely out of the loop. However, the constant 24/7 exposure to news, people's “hot takes” on world events, and nonsensical apocalyptic conspiracy theories from people who barely graduated high school every few minutes, is not good for our brains. When you step away from that relentless flow of information, life becomes more enjoyable. In essence, what I'm saying is similar to what I realized when Krista and I drove cross-country: when you take a moment to look at the world around you, you quickly discover that it's a brighter and happier place than what the internet often portrays it to be.

Lizzy Tenwolde with our award winning portrait

Financial Benefit

This might seem a bit unrelated, but I experienced financial benefits from not being on social media. Here's my perspective on why they're connected. Although I still kept up with entertainment and maintained my collections, like Hawaiian shirts and LEGO, I missed several exclusive product releases and last-minute sales I would have jumped on but did not actually need. This helped me save money and brought back the joy of collecting where somethings you just don’t get to have, allowing me to take a break from constant spending. Without the influence of social media ads and the "you need this to be happy" mindset, I avoided impulse buys triggered by marketing. However, there's a downside too. I missed out on some movies I would've loved to see in theaters and found out about exclusive items too late, only to see them reselling at exorbitant prices on eBay. So, there's a trade-off when it comes to financial aspects related to social media use.

Out enjoying nature

Building a Business

This point may not apply to everyone, but it's still significant. There's no denying that social media is a powerful tool for small businesses. Operating without it can make marketing more challenging, but it's not impossible. There are plenty of alternatives. For instance, I explored having a street team to promote my work and projects. Another effective strategy was using a social media account manager from www.Fiverr.com. They helped me schedule posts for my 100 black-and-white photo series, reviving my social media business accounts while I stayed offline. Now that I'm back on social media, I intend to continue investing more time and energy into these alternative marketing methods. They have proven to be quite effective and to me the trade off of extra work but less stress is worth it.

In conclusion, my year off from social media was undoubtedly time well spent, providing valuable insights. While I may not take such a drastic step again, I will limit my usage. Moderation is key, and this break helped me realign my priorities. If you're considering a change in how you use social media, I hope my experience offers some guidance.