Reset your Social Media

A story from my past that will change your relationship with social media.

Author

Georgios Tragkas
September 23, 2024

My Journey Away from Social Media

Back in 2015, I had an eye-opening realization about the true nature of social media. Unlike the hours I'd previously spent watching YouTube videos, I found myself caught in an endless loop of mindless scrolling. It became clear that this routine was draining my focus and energy.

Recognizing the negative impact, I made a bold decision: I deleted all my social media profiles. At the time, I was only using Facebook and YouTube. This was no easy feat, as most people struggle to leave these platforms due to network effects—everyone they know is there—or the external validation they receive. Despite these challenges, I knew I had to break free from this trap.

Even though I was part of numerous group chats and had many friends on social media, I never felt genuinely connected. For me, social media had lost its essence. However, this didn’t mean I would never use it again. Instead, I took a more strategic approach by removing the apps from my phone and computer, making it a deliberate effort to reconnect.

This shift allowed me to refocus on nature and real-world interactions. In hindsight, if I had to do it all over again, my steps would include:

  • Removing all social media apps from my phone

  • Blocking the websites on my PC

  • Adding online blockers to minimize distractions

Today, when I use social media, it’s for content creation and brand building, not passive consumption. This approach helps me learn from social media rather than being consumed by it.

How to Reset Your Social Media Habits

  1. Identify Your Reasons: Understand why you are using specific social media platforms. Is it for networking, content consumption, or something else?

  2. Evaluate the Value: Once you've identified your reasons, ask yourself if they are compelling enough to continue using these platforms. If not, consider removing them from your life.

By taking these steps, you can regain control over your focus and energy, using social media as a tool for growth rather than a source of distraction.

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Thank you for reading, and don't forget—come and say hi on LinkedIn!

Until next time,

Georgios Tragkas