Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.
~ Stephen R. Covey
I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly torn between hating social media and hating the people on social media. I can’t decide what the real evil is — the concept itself, or how people use it for their own purposes.
And I’m not even talking about influencers or internet trolls. It’s the everyday Joe Schmoes and Negative Nancys that really irk me.
Three things about social media bother me the most: the algorithm, the video section (For You Page, Reels, Shorts — whatever wets your whistle), and the comment section.
First: the dreaded algorithm.
A set of code that has somehow morphed from ones and zeros into a formidable force capable of sucking people into social media for hours — even days — on end.
The algorithm isn’t just about scrolling anymore. It’s become a societal obsession. From clickbait titles to choosing the exact colors that will draw users in, everything is engineered for attention.
What blows my mind is how any of this is even legal.
Social media companies are businesses whose product is human attention. Their goal is to make their platforms so enticing — so addictive — that you never leave. They analyze your preferences, your behavior, and even your data to see what keeps your attention the longest.
What. The. Heck.
Is this not terrifying?!
In my mind, social media companies are on the same level as vape companies. What flavor of content will attract younger users? What color will make them stay longer? How much advertising can we shove in their faces without them noticing?
Big Brother, say what?
And don’t even get me started on the trend of endless scrolling.
TikTok and vapes are basically the same thing in my mind. They exist on the same plane of thought. Both aggressively target younger generations, marketing themselves as safer, cleaner, and more harmless than alternatives — while profiting off people who don’t yet have the tools or knowledge to recognize what’s being handed to them, or how to say no.
And LORD have mercy… the comment section.
I can’t even blame social media companies or Zuck for that monstrosity.
Comment sections are where humanity reveals its ugliest parts.
The separation and perceived freedom people feel behind a screen is terrifying. Somehow, being anonymous convinces people they can say whatever they want — and that their opinion is automatically the smartest, truest take in the room.
News flash!
NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR OPINION, USER103298-5197.
I distinctly remember my third-grade English teacher saying, “Opinion does not equal truth.”
I’m starting to think some people weren’t paying attention.
And honestly, part of why social media bothers me so much is because I’ve lived on both extremes.
As a kid, my parents restricted my screen time heavily. And honestly? I don’t blame them. But when I turned eighteen and suddenly had unlimited access, I had no idea how to regulate myself. Everyone else was on their phones all the time — so why couldn’t I be?
And the funny part is, I didn’t even have TikTok.
Still, I found myself constantly reaching for my phone. Scrolling because everyone else was scrolling. Using social media because it felt like that’s what you’re supposed to do.
Now, as someone about to turn twenty, I’ve made a few changes.
First, I deleted Instagram. Why? Because I realized my time on Instagram was getting in the way of school. Then I found myself on YouTube Shorts, so I deleted YouTube. Then — and this is how you know it got bad — I fell into the deepest pit of despair: Facebook Reels.
That’s when I knew it was time.
So I deleted Facebook.
I still have all my accounts. I could go back if I wanted to. But being off social media has freed up an unbelievable amount of time in my life.
Do I still have Pinterest? Yes.
Does Pinterest actually motivate me to do things with my life? Absolutely.
Am I scrolling for hours on end? No — maybe thirty minutes a day.
And here’s what surprised me most: I realized I’m actually a very crafty person.
Case in point: I literally did this today — I’m propagating a plant in an old serum bottle.
Please see below for evidence.
I love crafting. I love creating. I love journaling. I love writing. I have time to start a blog for crying out loud!
I realized I needed to stop treating social media as something “everyone does” and flip it on its head. Social media, at its core, is a way to sell ourselves to capitalism and consumerism in exchange for belonging.
News flash: I hate consumerism.
So I left. And I haven’t regretted it since.
If you’re someone who struggles with phone usage — been there, done that, sister. I’ve learned that I can’t just live my life in a cycle of work, phone, sleep. I need variety. Work. Friends. Crafting. Self-care. Journaling. Writing. Cleaning. Living.
Humanity exists outside of TikToks and Instagram Reels.
You don’t have to conform. Be different. Be bold. Say no to consumerism and addiction. Stand up to social media companies. Delete the apps — or be even cooler and delete the accounts.
Life happens off social media, not for it.
Now go outside and touch some grass.
(Or snow, if you’re also stuck in a blizzard like I am.)
Love ya,
Audrey 🤍
P.S. Comment if you want to see my other plants, Davey and Marcus!
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