I Quit Social Media For Good

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WHO AM I?
Hey there, I’m Cinzia DuBois. I’m a part-time, self-funded PhD student and KZbinr, Podcaster and writer. I’ve been creating videos for over thirteen years. I discuss productivity, personal development, PhD, academia and mental well-being on this channel. On my main channel, I talk about all things dark and ancient history, literature and folklore.

[@michaelmccafferty1706]

The comparison to drinking is spot on. I quit all social media a few years ago. I lost 90% of my acquaintances, but none of my actual friends. The improvement to one's mental health and well being will be very real. I wish you the best with your career and your studies.

[@rocioiribe5841]

i've also compared my relationship to social media to the first time i reassessed my relationship to alcohol. and the first observation was that it was filling a void.

[@Mic-Mak]

I think it's important to explain and be specific when one declares they've quit social media. KZbin and blogs are social media. So are dating apps. So is LinkedIn. So, if you are consuming or creating on those platforms, if you're on Bumble or Tinder, you haven't quit all social media. That said, I get your point, and I understand that for a lot of people, some social media platforms are far more toxic than others. For me, it's FB & IG which I quit over a decade ago. I've also never used a dating app and never plan to. But I'm not naive about the fact that the toxicity and anxiety I'm avoiding on FB, IG, and dating apps, is also present on platforms that I still use. It's just far less toxic for me there. All of OP's criticisms of social media are absolutely valid. I quit FB & IG because they were extremely toxic to my mental health, and I was also worried about my privacy. That said, I've lost a ton of relationships as a result, and I'm still reeling from it, years later. I think that's partly because all of my closest relationships don't live in the same city or country as me. That means technology and yes, social media, is the only way to stay in touch, and many of my friends don't like phone calls or even texting. They've admitted as much to me. Trying to schedule a call with them, even a month in advance, is a nightmare. And they are extremely slow to respond to texts. One of my best friends literally takes weeks. I often feel like because I don't share my life on social media, I'm not showing my friends and family that I'm living an interesting life that would compel them to want to stay in touch via text or phone call. It's important to highlight that *quitting social media can make it very hard to maintain long - distance relationships.* Even though, I've lost a lot of relationships from quitting FB, IG, and other social media platforms years ago, I have never wanted to go back. I just find it too toxic. I have more peace of mind, but it does get lonely.

[@tulip811]

You say that with KZbin shorts existing??

[@LisaVanGemert]

Yessssss...acquaintances not friends..

[@John-cf5im]

I think I'm going to do the same. Social media is a huge toxic mess. I don't need that in my life.

[@ChrisBrooks34]

I have recently come to the idea that what people need is to keep journals again. Social media isn't really a journal, or at the least it's not a good one. What many of us need is to be with ourselves and our thoughts. We can write down our hot takes and come back to those in a year's time (maybe longer) and say wow that was really stupid/ridiculous; I'm glad no one other than me has seen this. Not every thought needs an audience

[@teslakasten9758]

Yes! I think the hardest part of a journal vs social media is the built in accountability. Being witness is a good motivator to actually do it.

[@CatLover-23]

👍💜👍

[@saramm3765]

Really feels like everyone has become addicted to living for the audience. Completely agree with all you said.

[@RebeDrawsStuff]

This! I've been replacing social media for journaling and reading and it has totally helped to improve my mental health. Whenever I feel I want to share something on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram I go to my pocket notebook instead. Also whenever I crave to read something on social media, I take a book instead and focus on learning or getting into fiction.

[@JaneRuss]

@@saramm3765 so true! I especially hate the self denial, when people write "I don't do it for others, this is just for me" sure.....as if the dopamine from recieven positie comments and likes isn't the main motivation. I often wonder if these people are genuinly unaware or just denying the obvious. People liked to be liked and that's what apps are build on to be addicting.

[@tyler-edic]

Best post-social media interaction: I ran into a high school acquaintance and he said "whats your IG?" I dont have one. "do you have Facebook?" Nope. "How should I keep up with you?" I just said: "Well, hopefully I'll run into you around town again!" If it was someone I'd actually want to keep up with I'd have just given him my phone number.

[@rhighan4357]

lol what a clown world

[@KiwiKirsty1983]

Exactly, that's how people used to communicate. Mail was also good.

[@mc101]

Spot On! I tell people "I've aged out of social media".

[@jamescardella2133]

I like this alot

[@briggs5534]

"i don;t have to set myself on fire to keep other people warm." wins the Sensible-Piece-of-Advice Award for the Year! Bless you, Lady C!

[@mindsigh4]

aw come on, it's so cold out here, just lets light up one of ur shoes...💥👋

[@handmadedorset]

Classic quotes are often the best! not sure on the original author - Penny Reid seems most likely but Pinterest reckon it could be Joan Crawford 😂 Good ol’ social media 🤪

[@wellbeingwithzee6168]

This was spot on me for me as well,the purpose for my socials was to post wellness content to inspire others but consuming social media has been draining really

[@macsarcule]

I read something recently that really connected and this video reminded me: “Not everyone has access to me because I want peace more than attention.” 💜

[@ashleymcgee3536]

"I cannot set myself on fire to keep other people warm." This. All of this.

[@ninam706]

I've tried to quit so many times, but I keep going back. Your alcohol analogy really brought it home. You've inspired me to try again. Thank you, Cinzia

[@ElinoMilanesi]

same :))

[@authoremilyjosephine]

Pretend you're a Gen Xer or Baby Boomer. 😉

[@fleurosea]

I’ve been off social media for years, it used to be my go-to to just scroll mindlessly. I deleted my passwords (and any apps) and just focused on being annoyed when I had to put the password in manually. That big on friction gave me the pause to think “I don’t want to go there.”

[@GladysHunnam]

Start small, activate the Digital wellbeing on your phone and set a timer for each app you use. I started with 2 hours per day, now it's just half an hour. I hope in the future to reduce it to just 15 minutes or less

[@Zhohan-]

Delete your accounts.

[@dj_bubbs-TXQ]

I completely agree with everything you said. It’s been 22 months since I left social media. I have no regrets at all. I got sick of people gossiping, drama, negativity & people faking their lives & friendships and sharing everything that should be private or craving attention with provocative pictures & selfies. A number of things I realised: 1. People who added me as “Friends” didn’t really care about me. They were “So called Friends” 2. When I was going through my hardest times, including anxiety, upset, trauma and stress, Nobody was REALLY there for me or reached out to me. 3. Certain posts or videos get blown out of proportion or completely taken out of context even if it’s nothing negative. 4. People lie about the amount of friends they REALLY have. Who in the REAL world has 100s or 1000s of friends WHO?? 5. Communication is very one sided. The same person had to make the first move to start a conversation as the other person doesn’t make an effort themselves or can’t be bothered. 6. People lie about their lives, they only show the positive side of theirs lives which doesn’t show the real truth about the person. You can’t tell and don’t see if someone is REALLY depressed, upset, isolated, lonely, feeling suicidal or what’s actually going on in their actual lives. Even if people post how they really feel, people don’t always care. 7. It makes people fake and insecure. 8. People compare themselves to others just to get more “likes” & comments. 9. Social media has increased loneliness, isolation. Anxiety and depression which can be severe. 10. Due to social media and the increase in technology, it’s causing destruction & destroying peoples lives in the sense of their is no sense of unity, community, love and nobody wants to help each other. If they see someone doing something constructive and productive and they’re doing well, people will laugh at them in an act of ignorance, and cannot wait for them to fall down. 11. Having a proper conversation or being real is considered not normal and people think it’s creepy. People don’t like having real conversations 12. It’s made people to be narcissists & self entitlement & ignorant, prejudice and bullies. 13. People can say things or make comments that are abusive, racist, sexist, ignorant, prejudice, misogynist, homophobia, xenophobia, discrimination openly online, rather than to your face. 14. I have seen Boys & Girls take provocative, selfies / pictures to get attention from so called friends / strangers, sometimes in a negative way, for example, woman having their chests hanging out, body image, men & women showing off muscles, six pack & more. 15. With social media & the young generation with regards to friendships, people feel that if they add someone as friend request and they accept it, they automatically think that’s “friends for life” people need to realise that’s not how friendship really works. I never had TikTok, Twitter or Instagram. Glad I didn’t sign up to any of them. Facebook was the only social media platform I had and it was recommended to me back when I was in my 20s. I only use KZbin as I can look at interesting things like cooking recipes and motivation videos and music videos of festivals & concerts and more fun stuff. I enjoy going out in nature, going for walks, bowling listening to music and learning new hobbies and watching movies. Since leaving it’s been the best decision of my life. I enjoy life more, I can now enjoy doing the things I do or want to try without being judged or told what to do without being made to feel guilty. I feel more happier and a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I think if social media disappeared forever, I can guarantee people will spend real quality time with friends and family. People will know who their real friends are and that they will do things together and have a good time doing it. I also feel that people will have proper conversations.

[@Too_introverted]

Agreed

[@tvsmed]

Spot on.

[@polarknight856]

I don’t see how 14 is negative.

[@yrobtsvt]

I logged out of Twitter on my phone a week ago and I had like *physical* withdrawal symptoms for several days? Like anxiety that I didn't know what was "happening"? Scary. But after I calmed down, I felt a lot better both about my life, and about the future of the world

[@folksurvival]

FOMO

[@mijadelsol]

The thing that I find most disturbing is the feeling that everyone is trying to sell themselves online. This is also what I have been coached to as a beauty professional is to basically use my life and my personality to sell people on my business . The movement towards authenticity online is also a marketing funnel . There is something tainted about the whole thing.

[@shannonnorfolk9536]

I quit social media too, now I just spend 4 hours a day on youtube

[@ThisMamasHouse]

Comparing it to drinking alcohol hit me. I already deleted a huge Instagram account I built over several years. I have been hesitating to delete Facebook but I think this video did me in. Thank you

[@corriemcclain7960]

Good for you. I quit facebook 4 years ago and my mental health immediately got better. Instagram went 2 years ago because of hateful comments. I'm now only in two highly moderated discord groups and nothing else. To paraphrase one of your early comments in a different video about loving the wreckage of your life- I destroyed my life leaving social media and I love these ruins.

[@GnosticInformant]

I barely check twitter or FB anymore. So much toxicity and politics. Too much to deal with. It feels so much better to not be wasting hours a day on scrolling.

[@richardblackmore9351]

Social media makes you more anxious. I've asked women out online and in person (obviously, before I was married), and asking someone out in person w was always so much more fulfilling. It is not as anxiety provoking as you think. If you have a genuine conversation with someone, she will generally give you hints and openers to ask, so just do it. It gets easier each time.

[@davidogundipe808]

Leaving social media,is healthy for oneself.

[@blankpaperandme]

The website I need to quit the MOST is KZbin. It eats up my days sometimes, and if I engage with a negative video that happened to be on my recommended videos section, then I will have a parade of more videos on that same topic the following days and it just kills my positive mood because sometimes the topic is just something I can't help but click on and watch, which just makes the problem worse. I'm going to try to use KZbin only to post videos, and to watch only positive videos while I'm relaxing at home, and see how that works. The key thing is to avoid using it on my phone; that's when I get like hypnotized and can't stop watching, even when I so want to stop. It definitely IS like an addiction.

[@gnostic268]

Completely agree with you. I'm a private person and I'm uncomfortable packaging myself for public consumption. I keep a couple of my social media accounts to keep up with family and close friends I know in real life but live geographically far away from and for raising awareness of the issues of wild horses in the American West and those types of causes. I mainly repost and don't have many posts of my own. I think there is a general unhappiness in the world due to pandemic fallout, political and climate catastrophes and people who are unhappy in general, not to mention how the social media algorithms push controversial content and the chronic cyberstalking is creepy.

[@samevans1289]

Question: did you choose that username after KZbin recently decided to erase all spaces and capital letters in usernames, as well as add the "@" before them, because if yes, smart username 😁

[@RunninUpThatHillh]

People are starving for community. We need community centers, good churches, etc etc to pull people together. People are lonely yet everyone is picky about who they hang out with. People choose friends/family to be around the way they choose items to buy. But community in the physical world is essential. The nihilism is bad.

[@jimthechaosbunny]

My single objection to this video is that I think KZbin is also a form of social media! The entire rest of this is spot on though, and I think it's a very wise choice.

[@uchi3v]

The negativity is one of the biggest reasons for me quitting social media as well! I've also noticed that I too was getting negative and only noticed negative things just because everyone around me was acting like that, always unhappy or annoyed or sad or mad and whenever I saw that my mood would drop too. And that would encourage me to also write and notice negative things about my life and myself. It was so unheathy

[@CatLover-23]

Yeah, Extreme Negativity.. We already have to deal with it within Real Life... I don't need it online as well with complete Strangers whom are Full of Hate about Everything & Anything... Not Worth it.....

[@nekesa6429]

agreed.

[@benjammin105123]

You'll never regret living in accordance to your own values regardless of what everybody else does.

[@aaronbono4688]

I am in my 50's now and it has always boggled my mind how people just dump the most personal information about themselves online for anyone to come across. It is good to hear you say this is not a good thing to do. It's also interesting to hear how you like having things to talk about when you get together with others - keeping things out of social media gives us more to discuss and connect on when we meet in person, a very interesting observation.

[@spirituallysafe]

I am in my 50s too and it is shocking how much people are willing to share, just to get clicks and likes. Someone I have followed for years and enjoy their home styling content shared their miscarriage information, something that surely needed to be kept private between themselves and husband and those closest to them.

[@pastagoth]

I needed this. Social media is so dangerously addictive, but I rarely see people talk about it seriously. I spend way too much time on the internet now. Thank you for making me realize that I should quit it, too.

[@bovie_bovie]

It’s not burying your head in the sand, it shows integrity! So many people are stuck on social media but can’t find the strength to quit. You recognized that twitter and insta are making it easier for people to inflict pain and overstep your boundaries, you took a stand and shut their nonsense down. People online have become so vile over the last 3 years. Twi… sorry, “X” is one of the worst offenders, but they’ve all gotten so toxic.

[@Summer_and_Rain]

it kind of feels like the same kind of people that made LOL a bad game to play. So much hate and frustration.

[@Duckpencils]

Speaking for myself, I can imagine social media being used as a tool for a person with a personality disorder to portray rather the depths of how they see themselves, or a portrayal of how they want to be perceived.

[@mellylou4170]

Despite being aware of how negative and addictive social media is and aware of its impact on me your way of discussing it has really struck with me and made me feel like I can delete my accounts. Thank you for your wise words ❤

[@passivezealot5631]

im thankful that i didnt experience social media until i was older, i feel greatly for people who grew up with and dont know otherwise. You basically described the reason i myself have gotten out of nearly all the social media I experienced, and why my kids wont be experiencing it until I cannot control what they see anymore. I appreciate your content and hate that it may stop your career online, but if it leads to a happier life then its the right move. On a second note related to what your comments about strangers knowing about your life, i sincerely hope it doesnt take very long for people to realize sharing everything is a bad idea.

[@lesliemoiseauthor]

"Apparently we have all waved goodbye to Twitter.". 😂😂😂. Thank you for this lucid, honest video. "There is only so much I can do.". YES.

[@Ericaaaaaaaaaa]

Cinzia, you've convinced me to do a no-buy year and now I'm considering quitting social media, WHAT am I going to do with all this free time?!

[@camillecoat2564]

I am struggling so much myself, it's so hard not to loose yourself on KZbin to replace the social media entertainment ! I guess we have to learn how to be bored before we can become organized, idk if it makes sens (French here lol)

[@Sweetie8387]

And me 🙋🏼‍♀️ I’m actually looking forward to 2024 with all these challenges

[@courtney2835]

Seeing one negative thing (among many positives) and have it haunt you for days is one of the things I struggle with THE MOST, being on social media.

[@IzlyeSellos]

Deleting social media was the best thing ever for me. At this point, I only have 1 friend who actively uses it. All of the rest of them? We just text, call, and meet up. I dont miss any of the bs one bit.

[@katmoons]

You out into words how I felt inside after scrolling through the insane drama of other people’s lives and the “willfully ignorant” who made poor choices despite all the resources available. Thank you! This is inspiring me to distance myself from social media.

[@abesapien9930]

"Distance myself"? You're still going to use it like before. Why not actually quit?

[@thereallockerelf]

YES! All this! My friends have slowly gone from updating me about their lives personally to just posting to their social media. I’ve gone completely off social media three times now, and I always have to go back because I end up completely out of the loop. The comments on social media are so mean spirited and ignorant. I still take mini breaks because it gets horrible for my mental health.

[@RunninUpThatHillh]

I've learned to have a sense of humor about things..the way people can be. Its a circus out there😂

[@arie7687]

I’m with you! I agree! I leave and come back when I’m bored but it drags my mental health down each time.

[@tombarrettart]

I removed IG and started reading. I have read more books in the past year (7 so far) than I had my previous 50 years of life. Social media is a huge time sucker with no tangible benefits.

[@estherchandy6292]

Yes yes yes....our absurd number of friends depends on stupid memes and forwards. I quit as well and was dismayed at first about how left out I felt. I now truly value the friends I have .

[@QoraxAudio]

Funny how people complain about smoking which used to be the norm, while fully embracing social media and normalizing it.

[@shadria_]

I've been done with socials for 10 months now, and I don't think i'll ever go back. It's a perspective that I find very important.

[@obscuraxxxx]

I love this. I took about 9 months off of social media and it was the most peaceful I've ever been. I'm currently trying to balance using it for business purposes but not being obsessed with it, and it's proving to be a difficult road. I can go days without thinking about it but then obsessively look at it for hours without end. It's so hard to find that balance, but the older I get, the more I want to stay fully offline and not be so open to everyone. I wish we didn't have it, even though I'd miss lovely people like you!

[@martinak7772]

The comparison to drinking alcohol is amazing, that has never occurred to me and it is completely true! Thank you for another great and useful video. :)

I deleted all my social media Aug 2022 and I've never felt better. When I told one friend what I was doing, he was so shocked and almost offended that I was doing it. That speaks volumes as to how pervasive the disease of social media is when a person who doesn't have social media or is deleting it is seen as the abnormal one.

[@thorunns.craftstudio]

this is why i've been actively seeking out snail mail and email penpals...i love unadulterated conversations and the joy of actually getting to know someone organically.

[@Lunaleodrune]

You just perfectly verbalised every single thought I've been having for the last few months. I've told myself for years that I need social media to promote my writing and KZbin channel, but now that Instagram has declined so much and barely any of the followers that I worked so hard for see my posts, I can finally see clearly that it is doing nothing for me. It's such a wild addiction. I constantly feel the urge to take a photo of everything I'm doing to post on my story - what on earth for?! Who cares. My mind feels noticeably clearer when I am off social media, I will try again to beat this addiction.

[@marialeg2367]

I agree with you so much. Social media fuels and is fueled by negativity and relationships are becoming more and more fragile and fleeting. Perhaps it's what you said about selfishness and ego. I still cannot cope with stories and being aware of what everyone is doing all day, every day. To think that there are generations who won't be able to have the ability to experience the world without those makes me sad. We should be more critical of social media, how we use it but most of all how it's designed to be addictive, like you've said. PS: the adds!!! Targeted marketing is one thing that you haven't mentioned. Insane.

[@Trey-see]

I quit social media so instead of my friends having to tell me what’s going on in their lives, I have zero interaction with anyone that doesn’t live in my house lol but I’m okay with that.

[@alieb1863]

I recently did this as well and I cannot imagine going back. It’s so much more calm

[@slesscovell6719]

Oh good for you...I did it a few years ago, secondary to reading Cal Newport's "Digital Minimalism". And tbh...my brain deserves so much more and bettet than social media. KZbin talks by those I follow...yes, I listen to a few but really...coming off line is all about living your own life rather than watching someone else's. Enjoy the peace and quiet and space to think!

[@gristlevonraben]

i'm surrounded by people that can not handle the darkness in my experience, they are sweet but they cant handle it. without conversing with similar people online, my loneliness would be much deeper.

[@j_enfile_des_perles]

I so relate !! When I quit instagram almost 2 years ago, it was a game changer in my mind. Nobody was no longer tuned in on my life. And, I had not to find something to tell about me everyday anymore. It was so time, energy, and self consuming. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this topic !

[@candimayes]

"I can't set myself on fire to keep other people warm"...love this! ❤

[@goldenhippie1984]

I've noticed people get mad when they can't figure you out through your online presence. That's the first place people try to go to demonize a person

[@matthemming9105]

Inspirational. Thank you for your candor, and for modeling healthy boundaries around social media for us all!

[@PrincessHVHHDSSS]

Dear Cinzia, Thank you for your efforts here online. Your kind words; "Books save lives", "reading books saves lives", has inspired me to keep going on my "book reading" efforts.📖📚📒📝 Journaling in my private note book, is one of my very special self care pleasures, also. I am so enjoying your posts here on KZbin. Your intelligence, your way of life, your truth, your amazing life journey. And, I also love your blouse collection in various tones of "cream", "cafe latte", "chocolate", "earthy brown", "fawn", beige, a little micro pokadot, small buttons, long sleeves, silky, perfect tailored fit. You are effortlessly chic, beautiful, feminine, strong, magnificent, modest, powerful, determined, amazing, and such an inspiration. 🎉🏰🎠 Thank you, thank you, thank you. 💝💖💕💝💖💕 This is a great topic, and yes, I have been very saddened by the folks who I have visited, and have snapped at me, ..."just look at my Facebook, if you want to know what's happening in my life!" 😢 Yikes. In person, over lunch, over a coffee, is so important, for conversation and connecting with loved ones. Yours sincerely, Miss Holly Staindl Glover Court, Toorak Victoria Australia 3142

[@evestree]

Celebrating you! I stopped using social media end of 2019. I haven’t gone back. I did start a hobby account on instagram where no one knows me and I share my art and view other art. My feed is only inspirational art and puppies! ❤

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I hope to join you soon. It’s a horrible distraction today that’s killing our souls.

[@annalanzi6767]

When people ask me why I'm not on social media, I'm going to send this video to all of them. Thank you!

[@Kattyroo]

I've just got back into long 'old school' telephone calls with family and friends.

[@theethicalwitch]

Holy moly I think you just changed my life for the better 😮 the way you articulated every point, so direct but so kind but also so blunt, I think I’m set to delete it all now.

[@arnyagal]

Do ittt!! It does take a while to get adjusted to not scrolling through memes, etc. But honestly you will soon realise how much it really doesn't matter whether you see what someone had for lunch on their story or a photo of your friend's neighbour's cat or something! haha

[@thebrianchannel9890]

KZbin is social media. Here we are. Socializing. Quitting social media means not going on KZbin either. In my opinion. I quit Facebook and most of the mediums but I still consider myself on social media because I go on KZbin. I can post videos I can make comments I don’t see how that’s different.

[@chickenbonelives]

Yo i just did this again today. I went 5 years wo anything and I don't remember why I went back. Nobody needs it.

[@Natalia-ex2bu]

😊 kudos to you!!! I am not on social media. It’s basically a platform for voyeurism. There was a time when privacy was coveted, today however people can’t wait to tell all to perfect strangers. It’s shocking to me.

[@tylerreed7615]

I’m glad to hear you escaped the toxic environment that is social media. I’ve been feeling the shackles of social media myself, mainly just using it as a distraction. Something to kill time or keep my mind occupied. I’ve been trying to reduce my screen time lately, exchanging phone time for book time or writing short stories in my notebooks instead of on my laptop. I even started an instagram because that’s what I’ve been told to do to promote my writing even though I hardly ever use it. So maybe I’ll stop before that particular trap closes on me.

[@divinencounters]

An alternative platform to sharing your writings is Medium! It’s “social” but more geared towards reading other’s works

[@Fuadstar55]

I've tried quitting social media in the past and got back to it. I'll try again as it's wasting my time and hurts eyes as well.

[@endezeichengrimm]

Social media also gets people to hate each other for no reason.

[@Wellreadspacecadet]

Thank you for sharing! Today marks the actual day that my instagram accounts delete. It’s been about two months that I have been off of it and today it’s official, official. I relate so much to the many reasons you explained. I too feel more at peace in my mental space. As someone who thinks about everything all the time, instagram was absolutely chaotic. lol. Im glad I finally just took the leap. It’s been wonderful.

[@holyfreak8]

I recently started to make more time for myself, to occupy on my greater passions: reading and music. It´s amazing how time flies doing what you love, and I started to realize that I wasn´t checking my mobile as often as I usually did. No guilt of course, but it amazes me how much extra time I was giving to social media. I haven´t quit them yet, but I really feel happier just for giving a little more time to do what I love the most. Great video Lady!

[@Mioochii]

Yeah I agree, I spent much more time reading and my anxiety is so much better

[@1984isnotamanual]

I did this years ago and it was a fantastic decision. I questioned myself of why am i wasting my time looking over post of people trying to put a false positive image of themselves and comparing myself and so on. If I need memes or interesting articles there is always Reddit. I welcome you to the club!

[@Mioochii]

I like how Reddit has different subreddits for different interests, but I had to quit that also because I saw people getting f downvoted for just giving their opinion about really small things, for example; green shirt vs blue shirt . XD

[@Sweetie8387]

Good idea about Reddit

[@unknowntexan4570]

I'm still here! I haven't been on any of those since 2012! Don't miss it. Love watching. 😊

[@faeriesmak]

I quit Facebook and never really used Instagram much and didn’t have twitter or any of the other ones because I found myself angry constantly after reading things people were saying on Facebook that were false or just mean. All of the trauma dumping and bragging that was going on there was really effecting my mental health negatively. I can to the conclusion that there were a lot of things that I would just rather not know about and losing that “connection” with people was a sacrifice that would be well made.

[@ExLibris-Alys]

I deleted Facebook in 2014 but I still enjoy youtube for its abundance of diverse and interesting topics. I’ve learned to knit and sew via youtube and have also repaired my radio and grow micro greens!

[@SelfHelpShelf]

thank you so much for your generosity!

[@ExLibris-Alys]

@@SelfHelpShelf You’re welcome, it’s my pleasure to help in my small way. Thank you.

[@sweetdistin]

Oh gosh, I'm really struggling with IG and appreciate all your points...lots to think about. Thanks Cinzia.

[@mauihappygirl8581]

First off you are so well spoken. I see such a difference in your confidence and your underlying calmness. I'm so happy for you and the changes you've made in your life.

[@Boyy826]

social media is really really scary, I've been addicted to it for 9 years and it makes me depressed and self-conscious too and I've deleted this😢😢

[@Nettlewitch]

Thank you. I quit twitter a month ago after years of being trolled, and developing an OCD which I’ve had to get help for. It took me years to quit. I was in an abusive relationship with Twitter. Nothing I did worked. I guess deep down inside, I didn’t really want to be free. Then Elon announced he might get rid of the block function. That meant that my trolls would be able to have full access to me. What little control I actually had would be gone. So I deleted my account just like that. It’s been a month and I feel free at last.

[@britneysimone]

Leaving social media was the best decision of my life

[@GraceKugrena]

I couldn’t agree more with every point made. I quit social media in 2021 and don’t think I will go back. I’ve become a parent and trying to be productive in my day to day in a much healthier way. And it’s taken off so much pressure and has made me feel grounded and present. Good for you for making the decision to step back

[@kernowpolski]

Great analogies between social media and booze - "imagine drinking while on the toilet". Ironically KZbin is also massively addictive. I never gave in to pressure to win Facebook years ago and only use LinkedIn for jobs and WhatsApp for messaging. the rest always struck me as pointless. Your comments about being looked up by a guy you went on a date with, shows just how right I was. Well done for doing this and I wish you every success.

[@paivishaw1163]

Well spoken and gives me a kick to stop wasting my time on social media.

[@thisispw]

Wise words, a lot of people would benefit from living a real life to an online one. Sharing personal info is an unbelievable error that people do without thinking. Digital decluttering is so refreshing.

[@SkatewithTess]

This video is so validating. I have had some of these exact thoughts...and then promptly thought it was wild of me to think these things. Thank you thank you for sharing your view.

[@robgau2501]

I actually did drink like that for a long time. It's not fun, turns out. In the long run anyway.

[@NicolePivec97]

Omg. Your second point has been a sad observation of mine for a long time! Thank you for this discussion!

[@lacevalentines]

Wonderful video, Cinzia! I quit most social media about a year and a half ago and completely stopped sharing incredibly personal parts of my life on the few parts of it I still used. It was so difficult at first, but just like you mentioned the cons just so vastly outweighed the pros for it. I truly think for myself, and maybe a lot of other people, is there's such an intense fear of missing out... it's this vague, burdening feeling that you will miss something important with your friends, miss something important in the news, miss something important with a piece of media you like, and the list goes on. Once I stopped though, I stopped feeling as left out of things, in reality. Sure I wasn't aware of all my friends lives and the news all the time, but instead they talked to me now personally and I got to develop closer personal relationships with them because I truly couldn't know what was going on in their lives and vice versa without them checking in on me. With the news I ended up just finding out news that was important to my state or local area, which caused me to get more involved in communities around me and feel more confident in my ability to change things on a small scale than feel dread about the bigger stuff I had no way of tackling. I grew up on the early internet and as a socially anxious child it gave me a sense of protection and belonging that I really needed back then. I think though the landscape has changed a lot and become less focused on actually connecting people and I don't find myself feeling comfort with these spaces in the same way as what I experienced back then. Collectively we need to stop relying so much on the internet and maybe go back to simply seeing it as a tool and resource to assist our day to day lives, but not where our lives and entire selves actually exist.

[@KitchenTableChatsENM]

I couldn’t agree with you more on this. It is something I struggle with perpetually as an entrepreneur who hates social media. Every time I take breaks for months at a time, I feel so much happier. And I absolutely love how you put it, “I can’t set myself on fire to keep other people warm.” It’s so true. I keep hearing newsletters are the way to circumvent the need for social media but as I’m just starting off in my business, I’m wondering if I need to put in some time online in order to build it up. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Good luck, I’ve started following you and wish you the best of luck! 💗

[@richardblackmore9351]

Tip: if you are in university, delete your Facebook WHILE you are there in uni, not after. That way you will have a better idea of who your actual friends are. You know, people you talk to every day face to face. You may get some knowing looks when you quit Facebook, but then again you may not. People tend to have so many "friends" on there that they won't even notice. And then, just ask people's phone numbers. It doesn't have to be weird. You can ask other guys for theirs if you work out together or hang out. And I definitely had phone numbers from women who weren't my girlfriend (now wife) who I was doing projects with, or who knew my wife. Every once in a while there are some people who wont give out their number, for some reason, but these people are rare. Just be decent. Text before you call. And as long as you are talking to them less than your significant other you should be fine.

[@winterburden]

Thank you so much Cinzia, congrats!

[@elen_jaxx]

when i get the urge to go back, these videos pop up and give me LIFE. thanks for sharing

[@RyanCleven]

I did the same a few years ago and the impact was huge. Every day felt lighter and more enjoyable.

[@oliviatheresa]

This was a great video!!! I got off Facebook and Twitter many years ago and made my Instagram only for keeping up with the book community and things like cooking and decorating accounts. It has made such a difference in my life for the better and I love it.👏🏽

[@epicmercury333]

I've never heard so many of my own troubles and concerns with social media articulated so well! Subscribed. Thank you!

[@christophercrews1380]

Thank you Cinzia. The depth of your perception is astounding. Inner peace and well being vs. commercial success, no debate, inner peace ✌

[@lenorebjork2763]

I totally agree with everything you say! I’m new here and you’ve gained a follower just by posting this. I have instagram and Facebook but I have stopped using them. Facebook for over 5\6 years and instagram since last winter. They made me feel so bad and anxious, and thinking about comments and bad things just as you said. I thought I was the only one that felt this way so it makes me feel so good to see that I’m not alone! Looking forward to watching your videos and thank you for talking about this💖

[@jamescardella2133]

Thank you for this. I believe that social media is doing more damage to society than good. I quit social media myself and I have never felt such inner peace and I no longer feel depressed anymore because I feel that my life is boring compared to everyone I saw on social media.

[@timdougherty4805]

I relate to a lot of this, and have also distanced myself from social media in terms of participation. I need to fight that part of my brain that hates finality, and just pulled the trigger on actually closing the accounts. To combat the visibility problem, you are one of the only people for whom I've activated the notification Bell. 👍

[@kaileywild]

I just found you the other day and I love your videos! You have inspired me. I want to rethink how I’m marketing my business and see if I can cut out all social media. I am strongly considering deleting my personal Facebook and Instagram. I spent the last week really cutting down my usage of social media and even on the first day, I began to realize just HOW detrimental social media is for me mentally and also how much it is reducing my capacity to perform at work and make progress toward my personal goals. You seem like such a lovely person and I truly wish the best for you ❤❤❤

[@adz-ql6kv]

you are literally right here on social media telling us how you left "social media."

[@MarquitasKnottyCrush]

👏👏👏👏this was so needed. Especially the "no one talks about this" bits. Thank you so much for this!! I am a content creator and lost my phone last December. I decided to delete all social media except KZbin and WordPress. I feel tons better not being so accessible and vulnerable - so much happier with myself.

[@johnmascola3403]

BRAVO !!! You did the Wisest thing any human being could do. I did exactly the same Years ago from the very same negative things I've experienced. I wish normal people could realize the same conclusions you did.

[@Jane_Moss]

Great video!! Thank you for sharing. Social media is a super weird thing and I wish it didn’t exist.

[@HeinrichVenter88]

Awesome! Have done so myself and it has been liberating!