Looking around, I can’t help but think we’re living in our very own episode of Black Mirror. If we zoomed out and saw humanity from a bird’s-eye view, we’d look almost comical—heads down, wobbling around, hypnotized by glowing screens.
What was once a world of being present has become a world of present my platform. Gone are the days of flipping through a magazine in a waiting room or checking a clock at the local gym. Chances are, most public places don’t even have a clock anymore. Now, whatever information you seek, the little genie in your phone reveals.
I was fortunate to grow up in a time before social media. My childhood was vibrant and full. It wasn’t until eighth grade, in 2011, that I created a Facebook account and tasted social media for the first time. Soon came Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat in high school.
On Instagram, I posted artsy pictures with oversaturated filters and poor resolution compared to today’s standards. I posted carelessly—mostly for me. Twitter, with its “play-by-play” updates, felt absurd at first. I wondered, we’re really supposed to tweet random thoughts all day and people will be entertained? Wild. Eventually, I adapted to it, though I never felt sure of my motives.
Snapchat fascinated me the most. Sending pictures with words in real time to friends across the world? Incredible. It even gave me new ways to connect with people—especially guys—and I loved the attention. I snapped countless memories, used funny effects, and soaked in the novelty. Until I didn’t.
That was over a decade ago. And what has happened with social media since? Too much to unpack here.
What I will tell you is this:
Zombies.
Look around. You don’t need to search far. People walk their dogs, sit at restaurants, wait for flights, buses, or friends—all with eyes locked on their phones. The digital glow washes over their faces as they scroll through Instagram Stories or TikTok reels. Fingers flick rapidly, hungry for the next video, only to forget it three seconds later. It’s a draining, endless cycle.
I call people “zombies” because zombies aren’t truly alive. They shuffle around without purpose. Today, many people are not awake, not alive, not present. And to me, to be alive is to be present. Smartphones steal that privilege. Social media fuels the addiction.
For a long time, I was part of the zombie masses. Then I remembered my childhood—how present I had been—and decided I’d had enough. I woke up.
I deactivated Instagram, deleted Snapchat, stopped using Twitter (or X, as it’s now called), quit TikTok, and even removed the Facebook app from my phone. People questioned me, thought it was strange, even asked if something was wrong.
I simply said: I had enough. I wanted to wake up and leave behind the hypnotic state that drives so many around me.
What Changed When I Quit
Since stepping away from social media, I’ve noticed:
- Longer attention span. My focus used to scatter. Now, I can work deeply and finish tasks efficiently.
- Streamlined communication. No more endless notifications. People can call or text. Simple.
- Less noise. Without constant updates on everyone’s timelines, my mind feels quieter and more peaceful.
- Dopamine detox. Social media’s quick hits rewired my brain. By cutting them off, real life feels exciting again.
- Slowing down. I no longer pressure myself to capture the “perfect” picture. I simply enjoy the moment.
- Freedom from trends. I’m blissfully unaware of most viral news—and don’t miss it.
- Curiosity. Free from doom-scrolling, I try new things and explore more.
- Deeper relationships. Social media once gave me shallow “connections.” Without it, I see who truly cares.
- Better sleep. No more reels at midnight. I fall asleep peacefully.
- Finding myself. Slowly, I’ve rebuilt the life I had as a child: full of presence, joy, wonder, and freedom.
The Hardest Part
The hardest part is pulling yourself out of the grave that is social media. But once you do, you feel alive again—empowered to live more fruitfully.
