Life Lately: My Social Media Detox & What I’ve Learned

On the one-year anniversary of my son’s passing, I made a decision that would quietly shape the months to come—I took a social media detox. Instagram and TikTok were the first to go, and though I kept my Facebook account active, it was mainly for Marketplace finds, with the rare story post thrown in. When I say rare, I mean I can count the number of posts on one hand from the last four months.

I needed this break. Battling depression, especially after such a loss, had left me in a dark place. While I’m in a better place now than I was four months ago, I realized that social media was doing more harm than good. Instead of being a fun outlet or source of inspiration, it had become a drain on my creativity and mental energy.

The Comparison Trap

I’ve always prided myself on not letting social media dictate my self-worth or allow others' posts to influence how I view my own life. But something changed. I started comparing my real, messy life to the polished, curated versions of people’s lives online. It was a toxic loop. I felt behind in life, inadequate, like a complete failure. I knew this wasn't a healthy mindset.

Time Management & Social Media Addiction

As someone who thrives on structure and time management, I was embarrassed to admit that I had fallen into a bad habit—spending over 8 hours a day scrolling. Yes, 8 hours. The day I saw that screen time report was a wake-up call. I had become addicted, not just to social media but to the distraction it provided. It was numbing.

Instead of using my time productively, I was letting it slip away in endless scrolling. I wasn’t accomplishing much of anything, and that frustrated me. It wasn’t just a bad use of time; it was a real hindrance to my ability to focus and feel grounded.

Reevaluating My Relationship With Content Creation

I’ve always loved sharing my life online, connecting with my followers, and telling stories through my content. Cheesy or not, as a 44-year-old woman, I genuinely enjoy being a storyteller. But after my son’s passing, I felt like I had nothing to share except my grief. Every time I thought about creating content, it was tied to my tragedy and the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with loss.

While I’m not saying I’ll never speak about grief—it’s a part of me now—I didn’t want that to become my whole identity. I knew it was time to start rebuilding, to create a new chapter in my life. I don’t know exactly what that looks like yet, but I do know that I’m more than my grief. I’m more than the mother who lost her son.

What I’ve Learned

One of the most immediate takeaways from my social media detox was realizing how unnecessary it was to have my phone constantly in hand. Unless I was expecting a call, a text, or a work email, my phone didn’t need to be a part of my day. It allowed me to be fully present in my own life, to reconnect with the people around me, and to rediscover the beauty of in-person interactions.

I also found that I suddenly had more time—so much more time. With the hours I used to spend scrolling, I’ve started focusing on healthier habits. I’ve begun exercising more regularly, cooking myself three healthy meals a day (except on weekends!), and diving into skincare research. I’ve even been helping my mom launch her online jewelry business, given my website a much-needed facelift, and explored AI-driven brand and experiential design courses.

There’s been a shift in my creativity, too. I feel more inspired at work, and the ideas seem to flow more easily. Without the constant noise of social media, I’ve been able to be more mindful, finding inspiration in my surroundings rather than through a screen.

Looking Ahead

Stepping back from social media has given me a new perspective. I’m learning to embrace the slower, quieter moments of life and reconnect with what’s important. As I continue to navigate my grief and rebuild my life, I’m allowing myself the space to figure things out, to rediscover who I am outside of social media and outside of the loss that has defined the past year.

I’m not sure what the future holds, but I’m hopeful. I’m looking forward to new opportunities, to continued growth, and to sharing my story again—on my terms. Social media will always be there, but now I know it doesn’t have to be all-consuming. There’s life to be lived beyond the screen, and I’m excited to keep exploring what that looks like.