I took a year off social media. Here's what happened.

In which John discusses his year away from twitter, reddit, instagram, and facebook. Life's Library subscriptions are now available: store.dftba.com/collections/l...
----
Subscribe to our newsletter! nerdfighteria.com/nerdfighter...
And join the community at nerdfighteria.com effyeahnerdfighters.com
Help transcribe videos - nerdfighteria.info
John's twitter - / johngreen
Hank's twitter - / hankgreen
Hank's tumblr - / edwardspoonhands
Listen to The Anthropocene Reviewed at www.theanthropocenereviewed.org
Listen to Dear Hank and John at www.dearhankandjohn.org

[@vlogbrothers]

Hi. So this is where I'll be hanging out, I guess. Life's Library: store.dftba.com/collections/lifes-library-book-club AND OF COURSE there's only a few days left in Pizzamas before all this stuff disappears forever: store.dftba.com/collections/pizzamas Thanks for being here. -John

[@brendanmorales4504]

I don't know how to publicly thank you for writing LFA but hey! The Hulu adaptation is AMAZING and I hope you are as proud of everything as I am happy to consume it.

[@davidmbeasley]

wait, you've been off the social internet and went to school in Boston? well, not 'in' Boston but nearby ...

[@LeviosaFlugel]

Sadly I can't join since I don't have amex/master- or visa card. Please include other payment options? PayPal or similar versions? Also, how about a version where you only get the podcast, und you buy your books (maybe second hand, locally?) separately? The environment would thank us, especially for people living outside of the USA. Greeting from Berlin, Germany by the way :)

[@martoantoniuk]

John, just pay someone to do the promotional material on your social media. Without you having the password (give it to your wife or brother). It would take less than half an hour per day, it would not be expensive at all. And you would get a lot more on your charities, as you said.

[@MrMysticphantom]

Do what I do for Social media, since i have the same issue, I only go to reddit, but only to subscsribed subreddits that I know are postive impact on my life and educational: like r/infographics, r/datascience, r/earthporn, r/eli5, r/changemyview, r/grimdank. Not only did I avoid overwhelming myself when I narrowed it down, it also helped me feel better, feel amused in a good way, and learn things. The best part is, since these are things that aren't time sensitive, you can just set aside a time in your day 15-30 mins where you allow yourself to look at them, and if you miss it that day, you miss it, no biggie. Not looking at it has no loss. Not consuming that stuff is no loss, but consuming it is only positive.

[@spenceralangood3414]

Ironic how leaving social networks makes you less socially isolated

[@vlogbrothers]

I think the key for me is that having IRL social interactions is just (for me) far more nourishing. That may just be me, I don't know. It's partly because I know that those social interactions aren't being (and indeed can't be!) commodified--so no one is making money or selling ads against my time with friends and family. -John

[@legomovies777]

"We're together but we've never been more separate / And I'm the only one who's ever thought or said that" - Key of Awesome parody of Katy Perry's "Chained to the Rhythm"

[@SofosProject]

I think part of it is that the social network has made it so incredibly easy to socialize that we can get overwhelmed and forming strong bonds can be difficult at times. It's very tempting to spend hours on end interacting with dozens and dozens of tidbits from different people and it sucks you in. I have this problem, to an extent, although I'm not leaving it myself because I personally enjoy it more than my physical life. But self-discipline is something I need to work on for many reasons and I call it good training.

[@AlthenaLuna]

It would do the opposite for me, since my friends all live far enough away that in-person interaction is rare to impossible. I'd love to have the alternative to spend time with them physically rather than just digitally, but it's just not an option.

[@jswx4393]

It's probably because a lot of us just wanted to use it as a platform, in earnest, but learned that those companies really were about making us all the product via the "dopamine hit" thing than merely being a platform...

[@hhughes9465]

Other people: 30 day challenge! :) John: ONE YEAR. HIT ME.

[@Sandul666]

I've been off Facebook over a year and haven't looked back lol

[@orion8266]

didn’t cgp grey do that

[@queraltvivocasanovas]

I’ve been off instagram since december 2018 and trust me, a month off isnt enough. I feel like 1 year is not enough now that im about to reach it

[@msayed25]

@@Sandul666 I am in my 4th year now, Facebook is just trash

[@sweetcoffee2458]

I'm only a week in and I've already noticed my grades got better and I get to read so much more. I've decided to NEVER use social media again, expect youtube ofc

[@clairelim7109]

why does scange sound like 1920s slang for a young delinquent

[@vlogbrothers]

Great observation! -John

[@ancakrumella9674]

Claire Lim, this comment is so accurate, I am tempted to frame it and hang it up somewhere.

[@1224chrisng]

fast forward 100 years and it's about right

[@schiz0phren1c]

those shocking young "Scangers" are at it again Mildred!...awesome Claire Lim, great terminology!

[@zyaicob]

Or an obscure 20s musical genre

[@jasmeenmalhotra2225]

"Living my job and jobbing my life" - that is an incredibly insightful observation, it sums up so well what do many of us are doing without realising it!

[@benedict6962]

And what a good portion of us do even when we realize it.

[@Kram1032]

Honestly, John, maybe just hire a person to handle your Twitter etc. for you? If you aren't gonna use it anyway, aside of promotion, that's literally the ideal situation to use a hired hand for this task. You could even write the tweets (or what ever) yourself but not post them. Like, just hand another person a list of posts you pre-wrote in some offline text editor of your choice. They could also handle responses, telling you about important stuff without you actually directly going to those feeds yourself. They'd be your attention firewall if you will.

[@vlogbrothers]

I could do that, but I wouldn't trust myself not to get interested/involved in the responses to those tweets. Also, and this is something I didn't talk about in the video obviously, but I am concerned about the corporations that host and own these public conversations, and I'm not sure I want them to be able to monetize my voice. I know that my voice is not very important, but it is the only one I've got. (I am aware of the tension/irony in saying that to you on a web site that is owned by a large corporation that engages in lots of business practices I find troubling. This stuff is complicated and I don't think there's a simple answer, but for me the answer right now is that my life is better when I'm not using twitter etc.) -John

[@Kram1032]

@@vlogbrothers Oh I was actually thinking not an entire corporation, but rather somebody you already trust? You wouldn't need 24/7 post support, I don't think, haha. That being said, that's absolutely valid and fair. I can see how you might fall back even through such an indirect approach. (I actually thought a little bit about the oddness of me suggesting such an approach in the first place. Like, if I told this a random person, they'd ask me how the heck they are supposed to afford that, but I thought it's a safe bet that you *probably* would have the resources for that in principle 😄)

[@ZimmervisionCZ]

@@Kram1032, I don't think John's point was a distrust for a corporation that manages social media accounts for people (though I'm sure those exist), but rather distrusting the social media platforms themselves, as well as the giant corporations that own and control them. The concern is being leveled at Twitter rather than some Twitter-account-managing firm.

[@thicknavyrain]

@@Kram1032 I assume he didn't mean having a corporation handle his tweets but that the entire _platform_ of Twitter as an entity having a kind of ownership over the digital space in which conversations happen and are mediated through corporate algorithmic whims.

[@seanrshivers]

Said the same thing, now I got to go find my comment to delete it

[@taliafore1578]

Wait, it’s been a year already?? That just seems way too crazy for me. I’d like to take a year away from clocks.

[@hibak8196]

*Crying because how the heck did that happen*

[@hibak8196]

Also I like the clocks idea. Time has been stressing me out 😂💔

[@whathappenedtomyyoutubehandle]

Trust me, having no sense of time is not an advantage😁

[@jadersanctem]

+

[@razeezar]

Ransom thought : I wonder what people from back in the day ( before clocks were ubiquitous) would make of the concept of Daylight Saving?

[@tysonmindham2986]

Weird how you never hear people say “I quit social media and now my life is worse.”

[@mrs.camillewarrenempress3115]

You making it that way. It would be better if you let things go

[@esha61]

That is so true!

[@Lina-ve7mz]

it feels like pizzamas has just started and now it's nearly over. it's only my second year of pizzamas but honestly it's the best time of the year

[@vlogbrothers]

Same. I will miss pizzamas, although I will be glad to be making one video a week again! :) -John

[@anosmianAcrimony]

Pizzamas never truly ends.

[@MammaMia]

@@anosmianAcrimony not as long as there are those who are still loyal to it

[@NateandNoahTryLife]

Scanged /scanged/ -adj. The state of being scared, angry and outraged.

[@MoxieMils]

+

[@1224chrisng]

; often -caused by- associated with the extended use of the social internet. example: After using Twitter for an hour straight, John Green felt scanged.

[@MoxieMils]

@Agis oh I understand the "+". And I did like it. It is more of the approval of the setup as if in the dictionary.

[@lyreparadox]

+

[@lafayettethebaguette1418]

Miss you on the social internet John but I’m glad you’re doing what’s best for you!

I think the only one of those I'd really love to see John back on is Twitter, mostly because it's all about words and he is great with words

[@ThisIsReMarkable]

@ Which would be great since there are a lot of not-good words on there 😬

[@2010RSHACKS]

KZbin is a social network you fools lmfao

[@ThisIsReMarkable]

@@2010RSHACKS 🤷 I figure that is less "socially oriented", plus Nerdfighter comment sections are far kinder than, let's say... Twitter. Also, pendantry?

[@2010RSHACKS]

@@ThisIsReMarkable Notreally pedantic. KZbin is in my eyes a full social media platform. Just bebcause it is not a platform that you communicate socially with friends/family, doesnt make it not a social network. I am socializing with you right now.

[@KnowingBetter]

Lately, I've been finding that I'll pick up my phone to do a non-internet task, like log calories or something, and the first thing I see are all the notifications. I'll respond to a few twitter dms, scroll through the feed, switch over to instagram, look at my analytics, and put my phone done. All without doing the thing I originally intended to do. Probably need to fix that...

[@pauldee1577]

When a best-selling author of novels has HIS penchant for long-form reading taken away by this social media nightmare, you know something is deeply wrong.

[@jauxro]

Ah, that makes me really sad for some reason - that "losing your attention span for reading books" is so common, it's even happened to published authors.

[@yranac]

jauxro I work at a book store and the amount of people that buy books but say they never have time to read is insane. Not that I doubt them but surely we must have time we aren’t working and are enjoying life? And why is reading not an option during that time?

[@upaasanakartik182]

Scanged is like smad, but on steroids

[@yeliz9932]

Upaasana Kartik don’t forget hangry

[@upaasanakartik182]

@@yeliz9932 OH MY GOD YEAH! Hungry is like the elusive cousin who they don't see a lot, but when they do, no one leaves without at least a few bruises. (oddly specific, but yeah)

[@browncesario]

i've been waiting all year for this

[@Nerdnotwashere]

+

[@stts2634]

This is my 7th month of avoiding social media except KZbin and I am loving it so much. I now realize that I was spending insane amount of time just scrolling through the feeds which is quite unhealthy. And it just simply takes off so much of the pressure of seeking "validation". Now I can just spend my time being present with my family and friends.

[@vlogbrothers]

Glad it's been going well for you! -John

[@queraltvivocasanovas]

YES🥰 Same! It’s been 11 months

[@ancakrumella9674]

John, “scange” is a great neologism that beautifully captures what I feel when I am on “social” media. And let’s be honest, in contrast to “french the lama” it has a chance of really becoming a thing.

[@megangoodwin2544]

Life's Library is such a wonderful community!! Full of wonderful people to talk to and discuss books with!! And I'm not just saying this because I'm a mod....

[@vlogbrothers]

Indeed, it's so great! :) -John

[@arundhatisubhedar7163]

I had a quick question - is Life's Library available for subscription internationally?

[@ThisIsReMarkable]

@@arundhatisubhedar7163 I do believe so! (I was briefly a mod, long ago so please correct me if I'm wrong, friends)

[@sexyscientist]

@@arundhatisubhedar7163 Yes

[@TheDanishGuyReviews]

I've removed social media mostly from my life this year, and here's my experience: I don't feel a want, or more importantly, a need, to watch every KZbin video that gets thrown at me anymore. Which leaves me time for so much else. This year l've read more physical books than the last 3 combined. My audiobook listening is nearly 100. And making a comprehensive list makes reading more rewarding to me as well. I don't want to check my phone or have it charging constantly for an emergency outing. I've watched a couple of new animated and live action series this year where l never felt the need to pull out my phone, which is plain wonderful. And finally, l've been excited to see my friend for my birthday dinner for over a week now. I doubt l'd think about it this much if l still had my Twitter account, for example. ~ TDG

[@victoriabatista3913]

"living my job and jobing my life" MAN

[@SteveRamsey]

Congratulations John. I'm working towards eliminating social media distractions from my life too. I just finished reading Digital Minimalism, a life-changing book about using the internet with intention.

[@propofokgov]

I 100% degree with this video, and have done the exact same thing for about the exact same amount of time. My life has become so much more fulfilling ever since removing my presence from social media, I can't speak more volumes about how other should experience this feeling. I've been able to complete more personal projects, focus more of my children, and Leo more fulfilling life at work. Preach the good work brother!

[@vlogbrothers]

Yeah I certainly don't think that my experience (or yours) will be universal, but my own relationship was broken and I'm a lot better off now. Glad you are too! -John

[@Weisz]

Hey John! I just wanna say thank you - you’ve encouraged me to value more the people in my life who take the time to reflect and imagine the world complexly. I could say more, but there a lot of comments here, so instead I’ll just say “thanks”. 😊 And also I might join your book club too :)

[@NateandNoahTryLife]

I’ve been eagerly awaiting your results video on this subject.

[@HomeWithMyBookshelf]

This is making me think that I need to be more intentional about my social media usage. Thank you, John! Enjoy being away from the endless tumult of the social internet!

[@farisahmedbhatti7423]

Always love to hear your experiences and progress report about social media detox while I am constantly hampered by it and trying to struggle myself out of this quicksand

[@annakeet]

The first year of Life's Library has been great, our shelf has become a great little community. It's also motivated me to read more books in general. Looking forward to year two!

[@gabiwasabi2249]

As a viewer I feel like I notice a difference in you as well. You seem more excited to be making videos. Is that just me?

[@vlogbrothers]

I definitely enjoy making videos a lot these days! -John

[@andresemilfer]

Tired: No Nut November Wired: No Net November 2018-November 2019

[@brianrubin2069]

So glad to have an audio book option for Life's Library! Thank you!

[@helenryderoneill7741]

I really want to do this because I spend a scary amount of time on my phone

[@samanthanorton4538]

A couple years I just removed my problematic social media from my phone. The tedium of getting on my laptop slowed me down enough to not lose so much time to the internet.

[@wogdog985]

john inspired me to do it and it’s done so much! i spend more time reading and with my friends, you should try it

[@austinshoupe3003]

Stop talking about it and do it.

[@jauxro]

These days I use the app "aTimeLogger" to track all my time and have actually started going on KZbin and stuff _less_ because I get embarrassed with myself for using time on stupid things. It's not perfect, but I don't think I'll be going on a 13-hr KZbin binge again anytime soon.

[@elshog]

Proudly a subscriber of Life's Library. Can't wait to read new books that otherwise I wouldn't have considered or known about!

[@samholder196]

It's so scary, yet equally so inspiring, to learn that it takes SEVEN to EIGHT months away from social media to return to the state of being able to enjoy long-form reading again fully.

[@garrettwilliams8044]

You have such a profoundly relatable and intelligent way of putting things. This got me to look at the obnoxious amount of time I'm on social media.

[@edixon2225]

“There is a place in this world for wondrously empty distraction” -John 2k19

[@lovelylindsey98]

Such a great video!! Always make my days better from your clever and enticing insight

[@MoxieMils]

Because of you John, I've been realizing that I also need to spend less time on social media and spend more time on creating and reading. I started this month, and even though I haven't stopped all together, I have decreased the time and found myself feeling happier and not so frazzled. Thank you!

[@btbesquire5]

Your original decision video was deeply inspiring to me, of my own platform use habits. Now watching this, makes so much sense, in afterthought development. Thank you, John.

[@danielstorll4537]

This challenge actually inspired me to do the same. I remember when you first posted this and I didn’t want to go off social media, but I just kept thinking about it. It’ll be my one year in March and I really feel like it’s the right decision for me as well. Thank you for being an encouragement in this way.

[@cherryRedStilettos]

ThaNK you for these! Kid friendly learning can be difficult to find that has much of any substance. I'm always happy to hear what you have to say and pleasantly surprised when it is in such kid friendly language. Thank you :)

[@elizabethsmith6477]

You seem so happy about this change, John, and that makes me so happy, too. I wish you many more Twitter-free, book-filled nights.

[@ohsnapitsmags]

Thank for this, John. I don't think enough people talk about this. The internet and social media has changed so many parts of our lives and I'm glad that you are having better results now. I get how social media can have a huge negative impact on our mental health and our brains - like how you were talking about with attention. Our attention is so terrible nowadays, as well as our mental health. And in those cases, I completely advocate for taking a step back to reevaluate its' role in your life.

[@mouseluva]

I have made a similar decision regarding the social internet this year too and also feel much better for it. So much respect for John for going through with such a challenge in such a healthy and non-judgemental way. I resumed my degree at university this September and had a hard time with people asking for social media accounts during the friend making process (like some people felt like I was trying to make A Statement™ about the social internet when really it just isn't something that makes my life richer) but the friends I have made are proper connections with people who take time to converse with me in person or over text. It's very easy when you exchange socials with a potential friend to never reach out or form a meaningful connection with them as they blend into the miasma of the larger social platform.

[@greyheists]

Thank you immensely for the work you do and reminding me what's important in life. I wish I wasn't an extremely overwhelmed college student with too much reading as is, but I appreciate the idea of hopping on board in the future when my life isn't so chaotic. As a long time Nerdfighter, I appreciate growing up and growing into myself in this community, that always feels enriching and nourishing. Keep doing what you do :)

[@victoriajackson4513]

It's nice to hear another perspective on social media as a) I've never had a problem with logging out of Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/etc. and b) I've found social media to be incredibly useful, especially during times of natural disasters (which is when I'm on social media the most). I live in Australia and there's a huge bushfire at the moment, and I'm spending hours on FB per day (which is unusual for me) but I'm able to see who's safe, where to drop off donations, which businesses/people are helping out, which areas need to evacuate... Basically my whole town is on FB right now but it's a really great thing. Funny how sometimes you can forget how differently people use social media and how that affects our experience of it.

[@syarifahmardhiah5103]

I was waiting for this video since last year!

[@faith7013]

I've been waiting for this review for a while I'm so excited.

[@098anne]

“Scanged”!!! I love this new word and I shall adopt it. Thank you, John for expanding my vocabulary 💕

[@aidansaylche]

So happy to hear an update on this!

[@human_collector0]

I was waiting for this video. Thanks for your insights.

[@helloyouol]

Hi John! I needed to see this! 🥳

[@charlieedgin5404]

I literally just finished re-reading Looking for Alaska today and had NO IDEA Life’s Library existed and now I’m so so happy and also a lil teary 😭 Also I’m glad to hear leaving social media has been so nourishing for you! I need to cut back my own usage as well for sure!

[@untappedinkwell]

I've been cutting back mine in favor of reading and it's been really wonderful! I do a better job of recognizing "oh, I don't want to be here anymore, **closes tab**" now than I did when I just stayed all day. And I'm reading more books! Win win!

[@priyabuddhavarapu]

Just happy you're happy, John. Congrats on Looking for Alaska and being able to enjoy it with the people who matter. I keep thinking about your words in Katherines - how lovely it is to not matter. I think the narrative of social media really makes it hard to remember how life is actually quite miraculous in itself and that we don't need to chase the attention and approval of others, nor of the larger gaze of history, for our lives to be full. Also happy Pizzamas!

[@holypicklesmofo]

I'm in the process of publishing my first manuscript on the psychology of social media, but I'll save you the pages: social media is not inherently bad, but its effects depend on our behavior and our circumstance. The most important thing is self awareness, and to gain that we need to take a break sometimes (or all the time). Happy to hear from you in whichever format that happens!

[@Dreamfounder]

Great update John! I've been thinking of taking a social media sabbatical too - I'm thinking a month is a good goal to start, maybe January - and hearing how much it's benefited you really solidifies my resolve to give it a go.

[@charliejax3981]

I find this video really interesting because I’ve had a completely opposite experience with social media. Perhaps its my age, or the fact that im not any kind of Influencer, but I find it almost without exception helps stimulate inspiration, and makes me feel grateful even when I read things I dont necessarily like- that I am up to date. I think the key to it is moderating your experience ruthlessly. I’m not facebook-friends with coworkers or estranged family members. Only genuine connections and friendships I want to keep. I don’t follow donald trump or yfip pages, I just follow funny and interesting and make art I like people. I’m glad you found what works for you, John! I just wanted to share because its fascinating to me that the same tools can cause such varying feelings.

[@Carina5707]

Social media is fascinating. I feel that I've done a very good job at moderating my experience online to be as positive as possible, and therefore I really do love and enjoy twitter. (I don't give a toss about insta or reddit or fb). However, I have noticed that while it doesn't necessarily damage my mood or my attention, it doesn't ADD anything to my life. It's enjoyable, yes, but I find joy in many other things in the same quantity. But I can also kept swept up in scrolling through the witty replies of a viral tweet for ages, not realizing that I've only read a page of the book I had just started. You know? You know. So I salute you, sir.

[@joemackey8859]

Love your stuff Hank, I've gifted my daughter your last 2 books on the last 2 Christmases and let me tell you she really enjoyed paper towns. Not so much the fault in our stars, mainly because of a death in the family in the time she was reading the book. Keep up the great work.

[@Scripter-bx6zy]

Finally started making my own money and am able to get the Digital + Audiobook subscription to Life's Library! I'm excited!

[@Ben.Rogers]

Thank you..big fan I have been off social media for quite a while it's so liberating to have the time to use imagination and cognitively decide what media I absorb... All the best

[@TheShamansQuestion]

I've had exactly the same problem and now been off FB for ~95% of a year too. It's so comforting to hear someone as respected and experienced as yourself saying they've had the same obsessive troubles with it. I thought there was something wrong with me. Even if there are reliable psycho-biological mechanisms for why someone would behave that way, the people around me didn't seem nearly as badly affected, or it didn't disrupt them from where they wanted to be in life. I take some solace in that there was a lot I wanted to do, so lost time distressed me, but I'm also nowhere near as productive as you, so to hear you were spending 5 hours a day on social media like I was, is, firstly, incredible and hope-inducing. I'm still kind of recovering, probably for other reasons, and I still struggle with ordinary deadlines, but I'm happier now. One of the best things has been connecting better with my family, as I came to rely on them more for social bonding. Those relationships have been more fulfilling. I also generally have more time allocation in my head for real world encounters, go figure. I always wanted that, but by going off social media, I am taking more responsibility for when and who I want to see.

[@destelpa]

I'll miss your Liverpool tweets, but I'm glad you're finding life without social media so refreshing

[@booksandbroadway]

Hi John and Hank! Been watching these videos almost the whole time you've been making them and have never been this early. Thanks for all you do! Also I quit twitter and have extreme limitations on facebook (thanks Newsfeed eradicator chrome extension!) so this really spoke to me. I've done full months off . before but never a whole year. Maybe I'll give it a try in 2020!

[@vlogbrothers]

Thanks for sticking around all this time! :) -John

[@Tee-xt1cv]

I can't thank you enough for posting about the newsfeed eradicator extension!! I use messenger to keep in touch with people, but I absolutely hate what the newsfeed does to me. That's exactly what I was looking for.

[@Print229]

What? What?? There's a newsfeed eradicator chrome extension?! I have got to find this!

[@Print229]

Stephanie, I just installed it. THANK YOU!

[@queraltvivocasanovas]

I also have a news feed eradicator for my phone, the app is called FeedZen and it’s a blessing!

[@MidwestMedic]

I kept waiting for a “results may not be typical” asterisks. But I must say your lead was the push I needed to leave Twitter just under a year ago. My stress level and time management have both improved greatly. Though to be open, I still haven’t kicked the Instagram habit yet. The last of my social accounts. I have found I use it less, but it’s still there. Just the same, I thank you for your inspiration.

[@ionicoach]

"I feel im better informed now" DAMN. I couldnt agree more. It's almost like the influx of info on social media wasnt really informing me but more like confusing me. I just came back from a 12-month social media break (I have an online business) and after creating a video about it I realized I was curious to see how other business owners experienced a similar break. Being off social for a few months vs a whole year is a whole different experience, and Im glad to learn I am not alone even though this vid was from 3 years ago!

[@tracylee55]

Hi John, About a month or so when you quit Twitter (et al), I too quit Twitter. I was constantly angry about what was going on in our country and the horrible discourse that was happening. So I took a page from you and.... THANK YOU!! It is so nice not to have my phone buzz, ping etc for notifications. I am now the person I once was before Twitter..... nice, engaging, and a listener. I do still use Instagram, but that is only to show pics of my neighborhood or my travels (to Scotland this last Summer etc). I feel so much better. And... I can actually feel myself enjoying the life again. It was because you inspired me to examine myself and why I was using Twitter in the first place, and I did not like the answer I came up with. So I stopped. And you know what, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

[@ellahammett6765]

This is so cool that this popped up because this week I actually decided to take a break from social media. I totally got addicted so I just had to cut it out. This really inspires me to keep my break going! 😊

[@nikolasscholz7983]

Great idea, this bookclub. Would be really helpful to be able to see all the books you will read next year in one list plus a short comment on them why they would be worthy of reading. I'm picky!

[@autism_and_niamh]

Good to see you're doing well away from the webiverse John! :) I've been placing my phone in my locker at work (instead of sneakily having it on me) for about 3 months now. Doing this has drastically improved my attention span, the amount of data I use, even my mood! Plus like you John, I now read muuuch much more :) Gosh I love long-form novels so much!!

[@TheBaronessBlack]

Awesome stuff John! For a long time I was overly addicted to Facebook until I felt that anger and anxiety just from random posts and so over one week I just... gradually stopped logging in. I check in every couple weeks or so but I’m really not missing anything and the algorithm is desperately trying to lure me back in with cat posts but I don’t feel that addiction anymore. It’s been wonderful! I can’t go cold turkey like John so it’s one platform at a time for me. :)

[@charliespinoza1966]

Yay, congratulations for the improvements John!!

[@jijithebookishgirl4197]

I miss you John, I'm glad you shared this experience with us

[@marcielston3019]

I have such a good time reading physical books again, encouraged by Life's Library. Thanks so much to you and Rosiana for helping me stick to my goal - reading 10 Dead Tree books for enjoyment and knowledge in 2019.

[@LumosSun210]

As a college student, one of the most difficult things is maintaining a balance between my different groups of friends. There are my friends from home, who I've known for years and years and have such a strong bond with; my friends from school, who I've known for just over a year but have potential become lasting friendships; and my friends from a summer camp I work at, many of whom were previously my counselors or were campers with me or were my campers, and now we're all working on the same staff and there's a deep bond you create with them when you're all in the same tough situation, even though I only see them irl one or two times a year. Social media has provided a way to stay connected to the other groups when I'm away from them, but it's a surface level connection. More so, I've found myself not on social media, but just on my phone texting a group chat. It's great when I'm alone because it gives me some social contact, but when I'm hanging out with people, I want to actively be with them, not on my phone. So anyway. I see pros and cons and idk what the future holds for social media. This comment doesn't really have anything to do with the video, but blogbrothers comments are a very reflective place.

[@michaelm.h755]

I'm glad to hear you're much happier! 😊 I wish I had more time to read but college and work seem to take up all of my time. I can't wait for a break so I can just read..

[@catking1059]

I’m so excited for the audiobook subscription option of Life’s library, that is what stopped me from joining last year

[@stifledbabsie]

Thank you for supporting local journalists! I wish more people would subscribe to their local newspaper and interact on their various social media accounts (although you, obviously, don't do that). Supporting local journalism is so important in helping to hold officials and corporations accountable. For instance, it was local journalism that helped hundreds of girls and women be heard about the sexual abuse they experienced under the "care" of former sports doctor Larry Nassar. The Indy Star broke the story and then the newspaper that I worked for at the time, the Lansing State Journal, joined the investigation because Nassar was part of Michigan State University. We were the first to say that the university knew about the situation and brushed it under the rug and that they should be held accountable for the traumas these women endured. That was local journalism at its finest and I am so proud to have had even the tiny role of digital producer and (unofficial) copy editor during that investigation. Subscribing to local newspapers, watching local TV news, and engaging with them on social media is so important. I'm sorry to have rambled but I am just very happy to know that you do support local journalists with your subscription. I am currently unemployed but still happily subscribe to the LSJ because I know many of the reporters and editors personally and I know how passionate they are about their work. I was laid off there last year, which is far too common for newsrooms these days.

[@MadRoadDriving]

I’m so excited for the book club. Signing up for 2020.

[@courtneymoir2679]

I personally spend far too much time on social media, and it has noticeable effects! Despite the difficulty, I think I might have to purge it too. Glad to see you happy having stopped using it, and proud you managed a full year! Congrats John :)

[@Bea_Esser]

I've been wondering about how the break was going. Thank you for the update. :) I can't lie I miss the Pizzamas 'stash already. :D

[@Bea_Esser]

PS. Please for a future video will you think about an update on what you talked about this year on Vlogbothers? I feel like you hit a lot of valuable topics that could use a re-visit.

[@rachelxioncahill]

Thank you John for another insightful video. :)

[@partyandahat]

As someone with diagnosed OCD I totally agree with the social media cleanse and continued abstinence from it. I find that my need for closure is never quenched with platforms and webpages that are designed to keep you scrolling with no end in sight. I too took a year from social media several years ago and now do not feel the need to participate. I am much happier on the other side.

[@DrewForShow]

You inspired me to leave social media with that video last year. It's only been about nine months, but my mental health has improved more than I thought it would. All the stuff you mentioned in this video is very true. I can't go back because all of my bad habits would come right back too. Thank you for being open about how social media made you feel. You've made a large positive change in my life. Thank you.

[@DevotedlyStarstruck]

Really proud of you John !

[@TheNikolaiwolf]

Hey John A few months ago I read your book Turtles all The Way Down, and it taught me a few things. First off it made me recognize how much of my life that I consider just normal operating procedure is not normal for most people. Also It made me realize how obsessed with making sure there is order in my life to the point of being unhealthy. I just wanted to say thank you for such an amazing book, I also listened to it on audible which had very good narration.

[@pisoprano]

The Navigating Digital Information crash course has quickly become my all time favorite. I’ve recommended it to other librarians and have watched it on my own several times while/after the videos came out.

[@RZ-bo1mf]

hi john! that bit you said about not being able to read for more than 10 to 15 minutes-i relate to it so much. when i was still in high school, it would take me a maximum of 4 days to finish a book. now it takes me more than half a month. this has been bothering me so much lately, because i really do miss the joy of being so lost within a fictional world that you start to forget about your own. i guess i need a social media break too!

[@taylorleeyoutube]

I quit social media a few months ago and it has been one of the best decisions I have made. I learned that if I choose to get it again, I’ll use it in moderation. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@Jayyemi]

I'll admit, I'll miss your frantic tweets during Liverpool games. Even still, more power to you- especially since you seem so much happier without it

[@gabiwasabi2249]

I have been waiting for this video since last Pizzamas!! 😍

[@engineerSammy_]

I have been away from instagram and facebook for about 2 years (i dont remember when i deleted them) and damn! It feels good to enjoy the little moments with people i care about! I also love when I kinda "forget" that i have a phone because i dont have anything to check on it, i find myself getting full bus trips without ever checking my phone. It's awesome!

[@chandragreenberg9109]

Long-time watcher of Pizzamas, first-time buyer of merch! I can't wait to don my None Pizza with Left John shirt, and I bought the bandana for my brother :) I am also taking a mental health break from Facebook. I think it's been really beneficial.

[@narwhalofdeath3000]

I've taken a break from social media this week and I've really enjoyed it! There are definitely things I miss, and I've still made a few posts, but it feels really good to not be endlessly scrolling. I don't like scrolling.

[@lorenabpv]

I took 100 days off Twitter (I use instagram for good moments, but Twitter only made me sad) last year and it changed my mental health for better. I can't get off it forever, for work reasons, but also social life. I admire those who are able to pull it off without feeling the isolation I do. For now, I'm trying to balance things like only using social media ony laptop instead of my phone, using audiobooks as distractions instead of Twitter and simply being quicker to unfollow/mute stuff that drives me crazy. I love that it worked well for you, even though I miss you sometimes on the social internet. That said, most of what I miss is sportswithjohn lol. But at any rate, you shod spend your time doing what you want/need and taking care of yourself and who you love, not scrolling on twitter

[@hhughes9465]

I've loved the rare tweet through Hank but I love your very refreshing perspective. I definitely need to cut down my time on social media 😅 Speaking of books! I finished an entire book within just a few days (granted it was one that I'd already read but it was something at least) and I've been binge reading a book about the history of the elements and it's nice to binge read a book as opposed to binge consume everything else. Thank you for the video :)

[@benjesterw]

I appreciate your effort John :)

[@CassReidIsSomeone]

Thanks for being upfront about it! I just deactivated my FB and hopefully will not reactivate it after a year.

[@kategibson4276]

“I’ve written more words I’m proud of” 🤯🤯

[@MAMAJUGO]

The key is that in any social media, the only page you should really care about is your own