So have decided to quit my main social media apps for 40 days, aka ‘Lent’ for any other people on here who were raised Catholic.
Starting yesterday, I deleted Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok. Lately I feel like I use them to zone out, use them to hide, to escape, or just to occupy my mind from unwanted thoughts. I could lose hours just staring into my phone, quite often not even registering what I’m looking at.
I found it to be a useful tool when I first quit drinking, drinking had become my habit, my go to for any stressful situation, my dopamine hit, my excuse to just zone out of my head and life. So when I quit alcohol, I allowed myself that other escape, because at least it wasn’t drinking.
Now I’m coming up on 5 months sober, I am feeling cautiously stronger and more comfortable in my sobriety, and I feel ready to start addressing some other things that may be hindering my happiness and quality of life. Social media is definitely one of those things. Watching other people’s lives, comparing yourself, and also just mindlessly scrolling to the point where I feel really agitated and unsatisfied, I think it messes around with my brain.
Day 1 was actually surprisingly difficult! I kept finding myself with my phone in my hand scrolling through the apps looking for that familiar logo, honestly the habit is so ingrained in my subconscious that I would be half way through the act before I would register what I was doing, and remember that I have deleted them all.
Anyway, yes this app counts as social media, no the irony is not lost on me, but at least I am sharing something genuine on here and reflecting on my reasons why.
I just want to be a good person, and I would love to be happy too. I often feel really scared, I think I’ve been scared pretty much my whole entire life and I’m not really sure of what. I think that’s why I drank so much, because I was scared. Trying now to be brave. Much love to you all 
I quit FB last October and apart from the first couple of days, havent missed it one bit.
Too much negativity, fake news, adverts and general hate outweighed the positives in my personal opinion.
Will be interesting to see how you feel / need about going back on after Easter ! x
Talking Sober and LinkedIn are my only social media any more, and Talking Sober is the one I visit the most (by far). On Talking Sober, it’s about being healthy and balanced. It’s not about keeping up, it’s about meaningful connection.
I feel the same way Jenny 
I’ve been attempting to do the same myself @Jennypops but like @BroccoliHighKicks said, when I don’t have alternatives I find myself going back. Absolutely 100% my responsibility to find healthy replacements and I have them if I’m willing to do them. I like hiking, just tried Archery which is really cool and a lot of other things as well. Time for me to put the social media down and start living. Good luck and thanks for sharing!!! 
I haven’t been on social media since I got sober, and I don’t miss it one bit,
I have a few forums I hit, here being the hardest, I have friends I talk to daily but other than that I can care less about social media, if you were that important, you’ll have my phone number or a way to reach me.
As far as social media goes it’s toxic AF, and can leave you comparing yourself to others, and half of them are bullshitting on how great there life is, making others jealous and on the inside there a disaster, and misery loves company,
If I spend my life comparing myself to others, I’ll never appreciate what I have, I’ll loathe others and covet more. losing myself in the meantime, I rather enjoy what I have, instead of Sulking in toxicity about my have nots
I quit Facebook June of 2020. I don’t regret it and I love not having to see everyone’s negative opinions and fake lives everyday.
Same here, ironically you quit Facebook when I did, my last post was that I got out of the ICU and was discharged from the neuro unit. And I am heading my way to rehab for alcoholism.
That was June 30th 2020.
You’re better off without it. All I saw were people over sharing their “happy lives” when in reality their spouse is a cheat and they’re miserable. Everyone is comparing themselves in these scenarios. Not to mention the over filtered selfies and plastic surgery trends. People think it’s weird I don’t do Facebook anymore but I just can’t relate to anything on there hence why I removed myself. 
Too many unwarranted opinions and arguments. Nothing but toxic.
The day I got back from detox was the day I deleted all social media. Will be three years tomorrow and I don’t miss it one bit. Cleanse not only your body and mind but your soul. It will be the best thing you’ve ever done second to getting sober!
I agree, it is toxic like I said happy on the outside misery in the inside.
Or the opposite, seeking attention pictures rants and such,
I hate filtered selfies, it’s one thing if it’s like I’m snap chatting a friend or something for fun, but I had too many online dates to realize some women are good with camera angles and filters,
It’s nice to finally meet someone who can relate. Seems like everyone is a social media zombie 
Also…sending you a huge hug @Jennypops We are all scared, I think that’s one of many things we all have in common. 5 months is incredible. 
I had to Google Lent. 
Social media is just another addiction courtesy of the Devil! I don’t social media, but seeing TS as social media, I’m rethinking my usage…
I think this is a good thing to do. I quit FB two+years ago. It’s utter piss and I think does real harm to society. I check Instagram twice a week for my dog/sobriety/food reels, and anyone I follow is only positive. I’m on TS and one other forum everyday. LinkedIn once a week.
Yeah If your like some of us grown up catholic your very aware of what Lent is, and like my family they did the meatless fridays year round,
Unfortunately I think my catholic upbringing was more detrimental to my mental health than helpful, Yano perfect family picture on the outside, disaster behind closed doors
I quit all social media a few years ago and don’t miss it one bit. Anytime I think of social media the quote “comparison is the thief of joy” comes to mind. I installed this app about a month ago and do use it as a crutch but I think it’s a necessary crutch for me right now.
Good luck to you. 
Just a quick check-in, day 4 no Facebook