Why I Quit Social Media: Reclaiming Time, Success, and Peace of Mind Without Instagram & Facebook

Quitting social media was a decision that felt both liberating and terrifying. For years, I found myself caught between the addictive pull of algorithms and the ethical issues surrounding companies like Facebook and Instagram, which continually prioritize engagement over well-being. I was convinced that I needed to stay on these platforms to succeed—how else could I sell my books, promote my talks, or market my online courses? The fear of slipping into oblivion if I left these platforms was real.

However, the truth is, despite my efforts, I never truly saw the return I expected. Organic reach is almost non-existent, and I was funnelling money into paid ads without much to show for it. The more I posted, the more I felt trapped in a loop, hoping that sharing a cool new chapter of my book or a clip from my documentary would catch someone’s eye and lead to a breakthrough.

But as I dug deeper into the realities of social media, I realized that I wasn’t alone—many businesses experience the same frustration. Although we hear stories of influencers making millions, it's important to remember that only a tiny fraction of users achieve success; 90% of influencer marketing campaigns still rely on a select few, while the majority struggle for visibility. It became clear that I wasn’t just wasting my marketing budget—I was wasting my life, glued to a screen and neglecting real-world opportunities for connection. So I quit, knowing that if my work is truly valuable, there are better ways to share it. If I never sell another book, at least I’ve reclaimed my peace of mind.

Now that I’ve said goodbye to social media, there’s so much more time for actual life—remember that? I’ve rediscovered the simple joys of talking to people, like, face-to-face. Imagine telling someone about your book in person and watching their real-time reactions, instead of waiting for the faint flicker of a heart-shaped notification. And let’s not forget about the forgotten art of emailing, a novelty where you can craft thoughtful messages instead of trying to fit all your wisdom into a tweet-sized nugget of brilliance. There’s also the bold option of picking up the phone, which, despite rumors, still works for making calls—not just for taking selfies.

For our businesses, we can now focus on crafting meaningful partnerships, hosting workshops, and maybe even placing good old-fashioned ads in places people still actually look, like community boards or magazines. We could write a newsletter that isn’t at the mercy of mysterious algorithms, or start attending conferences where, believe it or not, people gather without hashtags. There’s also the lost art of asking customers what they think in person. It’s amazing what insights can come from direct interaction.

Without the constant pressure to post, we can dive deeper into our actual work, honing our craft instead of obsessing over metrics. Who knows—maybe we’ll even have time to finish writing that next book, rather than spending hours tinkering with Instagram Stories filters. Sure, we might not go viral, but we’ll have time to do things that truly make us come alive, and maybe even run a business that isn’t all about chasing likes.