Summary

The author recounts their journey of leaving and recently returning to social media, expressing ambivalence about their decision to come back.

Abstract

The author describes a three-year period without social media as a sanctuary, having initially left due to dissatisfaction with the self-promotional aspect of platforms like Instagram. The decision to quit was solidified during a trip to Bali, where the sight of tourists obsessively documenting their experiences was off-putting. However, on January 1st, 2023, in Helsinki, with a thriving business, the author decided to rejoin social media, driven by a desire for a different kind of freedom and connection. Despite being back for less than a month, the author is already feeling conflicted about the self-promotional culture prevalent on social media and is seeking to find their place within it.

Opinions

The author initially had high hopes for social media but was quickly disillusioned by the reality of self-promotion and the commodification of experiences.
The author felt a sense of relief after deleting their social media accounts and found the experience of living without them to be peaceful and authentic.
The return to social media was prompted by a mix of personal and professional challenges, including health issues and a declining business, with the author hoping to redefine their concept of freedom.
Upon rejoining social media, the author is once again overwhelmed by the aggressive self-promotion and the paradox of people selling the idea of success to achieve success.
The author is currently uncertain about their role on social media and is contemplating how they can engage with these platforms without compromising their values.

I Survived 3 Years Without Social Media — Not Sure if It’s Good to Be Back

Confession: The absence from social media was like living in a sanctuary and returning after three years sparks hesitation.

I’ve been off social media for years because I hated the idea of selling myself. After spending far too much time on social media in the past, it felt like a huge relief when I deleted my accounts. Now, as I’m back, I’m uncertain if it was a good choice.

Here’s the whole story:

Part 1: How I got onto social media

I had high hopes, but they came crashing down quickly.

I hated my 9 to 5, working as a SAP consultant sucked. And after spending countless hours online, stumbling across the idea of digital nomadism, I decided: let’s be a travel/self-development blogger.

I registered on Instagram, built my own blog, and started blogging.

Part 2: How I got tired of social media

Full of hopes, I used my hard-earned money to travel to Bali.

But everything changed, as soon as I arrived there. Instead of taking photos and posting them on Instagram, I was shocked. Seeing all the awesome locations, packed with too many tourists, makes me want to vomit.

I quit social media, not aligning with the idea of presenting aka selling only certain parts of my personality (or body) to an audience.

Part 3: How I got onto social media again

It’s January 1st 2023, I’m in Helsinki, business is better than ever before.

Suddenly, it’s December 3rd, I’m sick of a year of dengue fever, lost baggage, a declining business, and (thankfully) failed attempts to go corporate again. I didn’t feel horrible, in fact, I just gained hope. But I decided that writing for other people, can’t be the solution to my dream of freedom.

Before I could say: “X”, I registered.

Part 4: Why I’m uncertain if it’s good to be back

It hasn’t been even a single month.

But again, I feel overwhelmed by how people actively and shamelessly promote themselves. It’s like the biggest sell-out ever. And the worst of it all? People sell success to become successful.

Where or how do I fit into this grand puzzle?

That’s the question I want to answer in the next couple of months.