Hello,

I am looking to get rid of my social media accounts for good. As far as I know, all are scheduled to be deleted if not deleted already.

For me, it's easy to hop right back on and create a new profile. I've had this issue on-and-off for almost 4 years now.

The urge to see how people are doing and to look up former partners and acquaintances are just so tough to push away.

I personally believe that being on social media is incredibly harmful for me and the inner peace and calmness I want to have.

However, this issue of mine is completely consistent and troublesome for me. I think I'm trying to compare myself to other people and perhaps beat myself up for not being a good enough partner and friend to others. (I don't have close friends, and I'm single, just to be clear.)

I'm grateful to open up about this issue here. As I'm writing this, I'm noticing issues that involve more than social media, but I just wanted to write this out to see if anyone can relate or can help in anyway. I hope to let my T know how I feel about this topic as well.

I appreciate your time. Thank you.

[Skeezyks]

Well...I don't know as I can really be of any help with regard to this. But I can certainly relate. I've deleted all of my internet accounts previously... including PsychCentral! Most of what I deleted though were not social media accounts. (I've never been on Facebook or Twitter or anything such as that.) A while after I did it, though, I began to miss being on line. And, when I decided to return, I decided PsychCentral was where I wanted to be. I also have a YouTube channel. But I only use it as a place to access music videos I enjoy listening to... primarily while I'm replying to posts here on PC.

I do still go through periods where I just begin to feel like I wish I could just be rid of the whole internet thing. But then I find myself feeling the same way about everything in my life. For me it is a kind of "social suicide", so to speak. I am married. So I'm not completely alone. But beyond that I am pretty-much completely solitary... by choice... no acquaintances, no friends, & no extended family. I just prefer to keep to myself. One thing I don't have is the urge to look up, or be found by, anyone from my past. Anyway... I hope that, in deleting all of your social media accounts you find the inner peace you seek.

[ArchieAus]

Yes I think it could be detrimental , creating a fixation which is less than healthy for susceptible people . I'm fortunate in a way growing up in a pre internet world , so I have something to gauge it against . Life did exist before the information overload of the internet . I'm sure you could say the same for the radio in the 1930's and TV in the 60's , but the internet and social media are a much more powerful force . I'm on a mission of self improvement and the internet is on that list eventually . I gave up social media a few years back and feel better for it . Eventually it will be cut back to a non portable computer which if I need to use it will be switched on , used and then switched off . Each to their own , but that's my plan .

I deleted my facebook acount years ago.

it was easy for me to do- partly because I didn't really have many people on my page, and partly because of the comments I got in groups (some were really hurtful)

and I guess, partly too, because it was depressing me.

honestly?

sometimes I wish I didn't delete my account (because they have good groups on their for mental illness), but when I get those thoughts about making another profile, I think... really?. do I really want to go back their?. it made me feel so bad- do I want that all over again?

now I have places like this to take my mind off it

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by shattered sanity

I deleted my facebook acount years ago.

it was easy for me to do- partly because I didn't really have many people on my page, and partly because of the comments I got in groups (some were really hurtful)

and I guess, partly too, because it was depressing me.

honestly?

sometimes I wish I didn't delete my account (because they have good groups on their for mental illness), but when I get those thoughts about making another profile, I think... really?. do I really want to go back their?. it made me feel so bad- do I want that all over again?

now I have places like this to take my mind off it

Just a comment in regards to making a new facebook account... you wont have to. your account stays they just close it when you ask for it to be deleted most times just logging in will reactivate it. found this out myself when i deleted then a couple years later just to see what would happen I logged in. it just asked me to confirm my email or phone number or other security question.

you can find out if they have fully and completely deleted your account by logging in, or messaging them in their help me register question area.

[LadyShadow]

I have a love/hate relationship with social media. I had abandoned Facebook a long time ago, and recently went back and its just whatever now. I just scroll and "like" or now they have "heart" but its not too bad because I do get a laugh here and there, and its kind of cool to still be in contact with all those people.

I totally understand your reasons for leaving though. I used to do the same exact things, and it would be hurtful to me, and of course depress me. But I am in a better place so three years later, I reactivated my account and its not so bad anymore.

It may take time, but who knows? Maybe you will be able to move past the bad stuff about social media. But if not, just think you're not really losing much, just something that hurt you, and you don't really need it anyway. That's how I had felt for a long time.

[ArchieAus]

There's a book ..called ? , The Last Days of Reality . Haven't read it but I was listening to an interview by the author . He's no fool , a silicone valley guy that worked on creating the internet . He was talking about news feeeds on FB and other sites and how it collects what you like or spend time on and then tailors what it shows you on your previous preferences .... I think everyone has searched how to hit a draw like Jason Day and then suddenly realised that they now get pop up adds selling golf clubs ... no? , ok maybe just me then ..the golf I mean not the tracking of what you look at on the net .
Cut to the chase ... he had some fairly scary things to say about the future of social media and the influence it will/could have . Yes I'm talking about feeds and not peer to peer contact ... but anyway , I would prefer in the end to go back to books for my entertainment ....always finish with a joke Arch ... o.k. ... Jennifer Aniston was asked if there could be a reboot of the hit comedy "Friends" ....she said - how could there be ? , today it would be six people sitting in a coffee shop ...all staring at their phones not talking 😝

I deleted my Twitter account last Fall because I found myself getting into arguments over politics. I reinstated my account about 3 weeks ago. None of the accounts that I used to follow are listed, so I was starting over anew. No more politics!

[sans]

I used to go back and forth on Facebook. Deactivate and then start feeling like I’m missing out, so I’d go back. I feel like I waste a lot of time on social media sites. I’m always looking up people from my past, comparing my life to their ‘wonderful and exciting’ life. Lol I think that was a mistake on my part. Knowing that I have the tendency to obsess over love lost, and past experiences, I permanently deleted my account on fb, and feel happier about myself for that.

Sans

Hello all,

Wow! I didn't expect an outpouring of responses and support from so many. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
A few of my main takeaways from responses:

1) Wow (again!), social media seems to be big business! Seems to be the Starbucks of the Internet. I've never been one to indulge highly in trends, including technology and even Starbucks. Still, I may be feeling that colloquial term "FOMO"--fear of missing out!

2) One of my main reasons for leaving Facebook specifically was unfortunately a very sad one, one that I will not really talk about due to personal reasons. Reading everyone's comments was very helpful and gently reminded me of a very important reason why I ultimately wish to stay away from Facebook.

3) I think I would like to babble more about this issue with my T. I think I am trying my best to live my best life, but I'm quite confused regarding social media. I'm a young adult, and I feel that many people around my age enjoy social media or find value in it. Personally, I don't find good values from social media. However, I wish I could just follow a trend for once without having to have racing analytical thoughts on how I ultimately won't find value in social media.

I thank you all dearly for your contributions to this thread.

[motogypsy]

I think I may have a similar issue as you, I want to delete social media because I blow through time just scrolling through them, mostly out of boredom, but I always end up seeing people who's lives are better because ______, and Ive compared myself to other people in looks/fitness/etc and end up getting depressed again. I have the apps on my phone so everything is easy access. I want to spend more time OUT in the world, with less time wasted on Instagram/Facebook/etc.

I hope you figure out what you need and what's gonna work for you.

Yes, motogypsy, I can certainly relate! I extend the same wishes to you!

[ArchieAus]

Most people don't have the lives they portray on social media . It's a carefully edited version to give the illusion their life is perfect . its fake and shallow from my memory of it ...success and failure measured on how many likes you achieve .

[twistypringle98]

I deleted mine in high school and felt like my life was much better without one. I took one back up after I couldn't refuse when we were all gathered on my grandmother's deathbed. There are benefits to the only things that I have (Facebook and PsychCentral), but I don't know if I want Facebook anymore. PsychCentral is another way for me to maybe have a support system if I stay and post more.

I want to get rid of my FB because really I only have about 35 friends and most are family. They aren't supportive of anything that I would like to share, and I can see the dangers my sister puts herself in all the time. She shares too much with her 1100 friends and doesn't really have a filter. People are fake all the time on social media and praise it like it's God's gift to man. If my family were more empathetic with me, I might reconsider my views of it. I just feel obligated to have one since it connects me with family. Plus I don't have a single friend really. The ones that aren't family are just old school friends. I only look at it for news really.

I think there are more pros than cons to deleting my FB account really and am looking forward to the day where I actually do it.

For the most part, people only share the good stuff that is going on in their lives on Facebook. You might see pics of your friends on a vacation, but their whole life isn't a vacation. Who want's to show the public the bad stuff in their lives?

[LadyShadow]

Originally Posted by ForWhatItsWorth2U

For the most part, people only share the good stuff that is going on in their lives on Facebook. You might see pics of your friends on a vacation, but their whole life isn't a vacation. Who want's to show the public the bad stuff in their lives?

This is completely true. One of the things I always knew, but never really ACCEPTED was that people always show their absolute BEST on Facebook, making their lives seems so glamourous. All the ugliness in their lives is held back behind a curtain we never see.

Facebook is just a big "rose colored lens" view of reality.

[Guiness187055]

Best thing I ever did was delete my facebook account. It's been over a year now.

[ReadToChange]

Social Media = Big Distration

[gebirgsbaerbel]

I also know the problem of being glued to social media, although for me it mainly is youtube. When I start, I usually have the problem, that I simply cannot stop. After watching videos for over one hour, I am usually annoyed at myself and really disappointed that I am not stronger in resisting.

So what I started doing instead of removing accounts, as it is too easy to recreate them, block annoying pages for most of the time every day.

For example with Cold Turkey, WasteNoTime or Leechblock, you can block specific websites. You can even specify a schedule or a maximum amount of time. For example, I block youtube, facebook, and twitter every day from 8am to 8pm. This way I can make sure, that I will be able to focus, but I still do not have to stay away from social media altogether.

Maybe something similar could work for you?

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by opaquemind0

Hello,

I am looking to get rid of my social media accounts for good. As far as I know, all are scheduled to be deleted if not deleted already.

For me, it's easy to hop right back on and create a new profile. I've had this issue on-and-off for almost 4 years now.

The urge to see how people are doing and to look up former partners and acquaintances are just so tough to push away.

I personally believe that being on social media is incredibly harmful for me and the inner peace and calmness I want to have.

However, this issue of mine is completely consistent and troublesome for me. I think I'm trying to compare myself to other people and perhaps beat myself up for not being a good enough partner and friend to others. (I don't have close friends, and I'm single, just to be clear.)

I'm grateful to open up about this issue here. As I'm writing this, I'm noticing issues that involve more than social media, but I just wanted to write this out to see if anyone can relate or can help in anyway. I hope to let my T know how I feel about this topic as well.

I appreciate your time. Thank you.

Sometime I wonder if social media had ruin my life because I became a victim of online bullying from those who I had tried to help out, post an opinion on a video, from friends who I thought were my friends online, in old support group I join so long ago and family member.

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by ArchieAus

Most people don't have the lives they portray on social media . It's a carefully edited version to give the illusion their life is perfect . its fake and shallow from my memory of it ...success and failure measured on how many likes you achieve .

I try to remind myself all the time of that especially when I see celebrity and wish I had that in my life.

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by shattered sanity

I deleted my facebook acount years ago.

it was easy for me to do- partly because I didn't really have many people on my page, and partly because of the comments I got in groups (some were really hurtful)

and I guess, partly too, because it was depressing me.

honestly?

sometimes I wish I didn't delete my account (because they have good groups on their for mental illness), but when I get those thoughts about making another profile, I think... really?. do I really want to go back their?. it made me feel so bad- do I want that all over again?

now I have places like this to take my mind off it

That is exactly how I feel about the places I had join previously. I never had a real problem until I made a comment and I received hurtful comment. I never had a problem with YouTube until a month ago when I made a comment on a video and then I suddenly begin being called horrible name, rude comment on my future problem like having children, bodily harm, and then last year I join something for mental health with good intention of helping myself and other and I became a victim of online bullying and found myself banned those who bullying me in the group found me somewhere else under another name and began bullying me there. It was so bad that I start having really bad anxiety attack everyday whenever I went online.

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by twistypringle98

I deleted mine in high school and felt like my life was much better without one. I took one back up after I couldn't refuse when we were all gathered on my grandmother's deathbed. There are benefits to the only things that I have (Facebook and PsychCentral), but I don't know if I want Facebook anymore. PsychCentral is another way for me to maybe have a support system if I stay and post more.

I want to get rid of my FB because really I only have about 35 friends and most are family. They aren't supportive of anything that I would like to share, and I can see the dangers my sister puts herself in all the time. She shares too much with her 1100 friends and doesn't really have a filter. People are fake all the time on social media and praise it like it's God's gift to man. If my family were more empathetic with me, I might reconsider my views of it. I just feel obligated to have one since it connects me with family. Plus I don't have a single friend really. The ones that aren't family are just old school friends. I only look at it for news really.

I think there are more pros than cons to deleting my FB account really and am looking forward to the day where I actually do it.

I don't have a face book but my family member do. A few years ago I found myself being bullied by my own family on their Facebook when something caught my eye on one of my sister Facebook and I saw all kind of hurtful comment about me on their Facebook as well as their friends online who I know in person.

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by Anonymous87914

For the most part, people only share the good stuff that is going on in their lives on Facebook. You might see pics of your friends on a vacation, but their whole life isn't a vacation. Who want's to show the public the bad stuff in their lives?

I will try to keep that in mind.

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

Just a comment in regards to making a new facebook account... you wont have to. your account stays they just close it when you ask for it to be deleted most times just logging in will reactivate it. found this out myself when i deleted then a couple years later just to see what would happen I logged in. it just asked me to confirm my email or phone number or other security question.

you can find out if they have fully and completely deleted your account by logging in, or messaging them in their help me register question area.

Oh wow! Didn't know that about Facebook but I don't have one.