Simply Op

01/01/2026 For the year of 2025, one of the biggest changes I had made was quitting social media (more specifically- Instagram). I removed the application from my phone and deleted all followers/following. Instagram engagement had become a daily habit with a crazy duration of time expenditure. I had unnecessarily turned documenting my life and passions into a job. Please note, I already have a full-time 40+ hour/week occupation that is demanding and warrants a high degree of mental capacity. The Instagram elimination experience led me to the following discoveries: 

1) Time Less Wasted
After quitting social media, it is not surprise that I found myself having more time. I had more time before, during, and after work that I could now utilize differently. I was no longer scrolling upon first waking up, using social media as a means for distraction during work, using social media as a primary source of connection fulfillment, or using social media to wind down at the end of each day. I observed myself replacing the time I had previously spent posting or scrolling with activities such as reading, journaling, seeking out coworkers for a chat, and dancing. 

2) Reading Increased
I read triple the number of books that I had in years past. In the times I used to grab for my phone, I found myself grabbing for a book. The phone traveled with me less from room to room or place to place. My need for occasional escape and/or brain stimulation by way of narrative or learning engagement did not disappear. 

3) Presence Heightened
I have really noticed a shift in my ability to be present at work. I had missed a lot of opportunities to interact with staff, patients, and families because I was using my phone as distraction during breaks as opposed to venturing out in the clinic to see what was happening in the world around me. I had missed chances to exchange greetings, play with patient’s siblings, join sessions, and get to know patients/families that were not a part of my caseload. I also noticed a heightened sense of presence while doing chores, partaking in mealtimes, and taking walks. 

4) Redirected Creative Capacity
Instagram had fulfilled a lot of my creative outlets such as photography, writing, and experiential sharing. My creative pursuits did not disappear at all; they were just redirected. I started taking photos of my coworkers to facilitate awareness of team spirit, collaboration, and fun; then, I would share the photos in our team chats. I resumed writing Yelp Reviews and taking photos for coffee shops again, which had been a hobby that had declined for me. I started to do 1, 000-piece puzzles, take classes (e.g., line dancing, tennis), and do color by numbers in my free time. I allowed for boredom.  

5) Still Me
The same person that I was online was still me off-line. I did not change who I was just because I was no longer seen on social media. I still did all of the same creative entertaining adventurous things I would have done, whether someone was watching me or not. What I liked about this observation is that I think social media profiles have more authenticity embedded in them than we may realize. I was also happy to find out that I was not just putting on a show; the show continued without an audience; it was still full of great and beautiful things. I was not missing out, not at all. External pressure was reduced and privacy kept. 

6) Superficial Connection
Something that used to really bother me about social media was that so many people watched my life, but few were actually ever present in it. As an individual who has battled loneliness, I had so many people in clicks reach and yet no one in actual reach. When I discontinued social media, <20% of the people who had followed me noticed and/or reached out for genuine connection/follow up. The likes/comments, the exchange of funny Reels, and the views never extended beyond that platform. My strive for connection was so strong that I would occasionally message people I barely knew, take my profile off of private status just so I could share photos/reels/tags in hope of being seen, and/or fixate on who viewed my content the most trying to determine who was there consistently. Without the distraction of superficial connections and famous influencers who I will likely never ever meet, I have been increasingly aware of the individuals in my day-to-day. I know the lady who works at CVS, the security guard at the Atrium building, the baristas at various coffee shops, and more coworkers than before. I would not go to say that quitting social media cured my sense of loneliness at all- nope. However, I do think it is a step in the right direction to reduce the connection window to the people actually present. 

7) Feeling Emotions
For me, I had really used social media as a way to escape or avoid difficult emotions. I did not want to sit with loneliness, anxiety, boredom, sadness, or fear. I really had the opportunity this past year to work on being present with my emotions. I have allowed myself to cry and to get curious without running away. Would I say I have mastered emotions? Of course not. I, like many, am a human work in progress. 

8) Reduced Influence and Comparison
Social media is a world of abundant influence. You are exposed to fashion trends, food/drink locations to try, recipes, wellness tips/tricks, and the list goes on. The abundance of choice and the over exposure to every realm for potential improvement is exhausting. It lends to a “never enough-ness” or “I should be doing _-ness,” which is not helpful. Without the influence, you are less likely to compare; you may even feel more satisfied with the current life you are living. Rather than trying to be like somebody else, you might just discover more about who you are and what you like/want out of life. 

9) Mental Health Matters 
Social media can contribute to worsened mental health. It can contribute to racing thoughts, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. As an individual who has battled loneliness, I was getting daily exposure to content with embedded couples, families, and friends. Though, I did not actively process the content as triggering, the content may have exasperated underlying feelings. My mental health has been much improved without the weight of influence and instantaneous information overload. I have also been sleeping better, too. 

10) The Desire to be Fully Seen, Known, and Connected
The desire to be seen, known, and connected does not go away! There is a pull to being witnessed in the world. Hence why, even though I quit social media, I ended up creating this blog and continued writing Yelp reviews. 

Overall, I do not intend to resume the use of social media for 2026. I do intend to continue taking pictures, writing, and engaging in the creative/constructive outlets that I enjoy. Whether you quit social media or set boundaries around social media, that is up to you. It is my hope that you have enjoyed this post and that you have been prompted to think about social media’s role in your life. xoxo -Op 

Comment: The mindfulness word search is available on Amazon. It is a good task for sustaining attention and allowing for rest when confronted with boredom or unfilled time. I used to do word searches with my grandpa when I was a kid. My grandpa would sit in his recliner chair; he would do word searches to pass the time and to keep his brain active. And now, I enjoy them too. 🙂