Social media addiction
Seven years ago, I made the personal decision to leave social media, specifically Facebook, which had become a toxic presence in my life. Facebook was the platform I used the most, but it quickly turned from a useful tool into something far more burdensome. While many people join social media with the hope of connecting, staying informed, or promoting their work, the reality I faced was that it was no longer serving a meaningful purpose. In fact, it had started to drain both my time and energy, without offering any real benefits in return. This is a sentiment that I believe many individuals can relate to, and it’s why I think more people should consider either taking a break from or leaving social media altogether.
Facebook, at its core, is designed to keep you engaged for as long as possible. What started as a platform to keep up with friends and share updates quickly transformed into something much more time-consuming and overwhelming. I followed the advice of my mentor, Stuart Crawford of Ulysses, who recommended a structured approach to managing social media called the 30x60x30 rule. This meant spending 60 minutes writing content, 30 minutes responding to interactions, and another 30 minutes checking on threads and updates. But as anyone who has used Facebook extensively knows, sticking to that kind of schedule is nearly impossible.
The 30 minutes allocated for checking updates on Facebook would always spiral out of control. Notifications pile up quickly, and the algorithm constantly pushes new posts to the top of your feed, which means there’s always something new to look at. It became impossible to simply check in and move on with my day. Instead, I found myself scrolling endlessly through an ever-updating stream of posts, some of which had little relevance to me, but Facebook’s algorithm made sure they were front and center. This platform is specifically designed to keep users hooked, and even with the best of intentions, it’s easy to fall into the trap of mindless scrolling.
Responding to comments and messages on Facebook, which was supposed to take no more than 30 minutes a day, also became more than I bargained for. Engaging with people on Facebook is not as simple as posting a quick reply. Once you start interacting, you’re pulled into longer conversations, more notifications, and often, debates or discussions that you may not have time for. What should have been a manageable task often expanded into an all-day affair.
Then there’s the time spent writing content for Facebook. The 60 minutes I set aside for creating posts also felt inadequate. Facebook posts needed to be crafted with care — after all, you want people to engage with them. But even after spending the time to write, edit, and post, the reach of my content was limited by Facebook’s ever-changing algorithm. The time investment simply wasn’t worth the minimal return in engagement or visibility. I’d often spend over an hour creating content that barely reached the people it was intended for, due to how Facebook prioritizes certain types of posts over others.
Beyond the time commitment, Facebook’s environment started to affect me on a deeper level. The platform encourages comparison, and it’s all too easy to feel like you’re falling behind when you see the carefully curated lives of others. Whether it’s a constant stream of success stories, vacation photos, or other polished updates, Facebook has a way of making you feel inadequate or like you need to keep up. The pressure to perform — whether by sharing personal updates or posting content — started to feel like more of a burden than a benefit.
Facebook, in particular, can also be a breeding ground for negativity. The debates, the unsolicited opinions, and even the algorithms that prioritize controversial or attention-grabbing content, all contribute to a stressful online experience. I found myself more stressed and frustrated after spending time on the platform, and it became clear that it was impacting my mental well-being.
For anyone who finds themselves overwhelmed by Facebook or questioning the value it brings to their life, I recommend considering a break. The platform is designed to keep you engaged, often at the expense of your time, attention, and mental health. Stepping away from Facebook allowed me to regain control over my time, focus on meaningful relationships offline, and prioritize activities that truly matter to me. Social media, especially Facebook, may offer a convenient way to stay connected, but for many, the costs outweigh the benefits. If you find yourself feeling drained or stressed by the platform, it may be time to reassess whether Facebook is truly adding value to your life — or if, like me, you’d be better off without it.
