There are a lot of benefits to deleting social media.
In fact, there are countless reasons why deleting social media can be incredibly beneficial for your life.
Deactivating or deleting your social media profile/s can help you become more productive, improve your mental health, increase your focus, boost your creativity, and even save you money.
If you’re on the fence about deleting your social media accounts, stick around to find out more about the amazing benefits that come with this decision!
Before we begin
It’s important to remember that social media has its benefits. For many, it’s an invaluable method of communicating with others.
Some communities use social media as a way of championing their true identity – one that they might not necessarily be able to show in real life.
Before you deactivate or delete social media, weigh up the advantages and disadvantages for you. Make a quick list containing the benefits you receive from social media, alongside the things you dislike about it.
If the disadvantages heavily outweigh the advantages, maybe it’s time to consider taking a step back from social media.
1: Productivity
One of the main advantages of deleting social media is that it can increase your personal productivity.
For some, checking Facebook or Twitter every few minutes wastes time and decreases productivity. Deleting these accounts can help you to be more productive and get more work done.
A study by the University of Maryland found that people who abstained from Facebook were able to complete a task 13% faster than those who didn’t.
Let’s face it – social media scrolling is procrastination. Whether it’s work or school you’re trying to focus on, deactivating social media can help you complete work more efficiently.
2: Improvements in Mental Health
It’s no secret that social media can have negative effects on mental health.
From FOMO (fear of missing out) to anxiety caused by news coverage, social media can take a toll on our mental state if we’re not careful.
If you think that social media might be affecting your mental state, try limiting your usage and seeing if you benefit from the reduced exposure.
You could also try temporarily deactivating your accounts, or removing them entirely.
3: Creativity
Social media (especially Instagram) can be a great way to get inspired, but it can also be a major distraction.
You might think that without Instagram you’ll hit a creative wall, or you’ll miss out on inspiration. I certainly thought this when I deleted the platform 2 years ago. But looking back, there’s nothing that I can’t find online with a bit of research that Instagram has.
I also used to let myself get uninspired when comparing my work to other people’s work on social media. In reality, social media is a highlight reel of the best work from artists and creatives – we don’t see the effort, pain and failed attempts. Deleting social media eliminates that comparison trap and allows you to focus on your own work.
If you’re struggling to focus on your work or if you feel like you’re not as creative as you’d like, deleting social media might be the solution for you. It frees up your mental capacity and reduces distractions.
4: Self-Care
It’s no secret that social media can be a toxic environment. Scrolling through Facebook or Twitter can leave you feeling drained, anxious, and/or angry.
Deleting social media can help reduce negative emotions and allow you to take some time away. It’s a form of self-care that can help improve your well-being.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, deleting social media can be a way to take a break and recharge.
5: Saving your money
In recent years, social media has become a money-making machine. As social media companies find new ways to monetise users, your data becomes more and more valuable.
You’ll be less likely to make impulse purchases when you’re not constantly bombarded with ads on social media. Social media ads are specifically targeted to be super-relevant to you and your interests, so you might be surprised at how much that impulse shrinks when you take a break from platforms.
6: Confidence
When you’re spending a lot of time on social media, it’s easy to start comparing yourself to others. This can result in a decline in confidence and self-esteem.
It can be tough to remember that everyone only posts their best moments online.
When you delete social media, you’ll be able to focus on your own life and what makes you happy. You’ll stop comparing yourself to others and start making positive choices for yourself – without having to consider what other people might think.
When you’re not constantly seeing updates from others, you’ll have more time to focus on your own life and accomplishments. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy your achievements without feeling the need to share them with the world.
Final thoughts
Deleting social media can be a great way to boost your confidence and self-esteem.
It can help you focus on your own life, save money and harness your creativity.
What’s more, removing social media doesn’t have to be permanent. Many platforms offer ways of temporarily deactivating your account so that you can return to it in future.
We hope that this article helped to inform your decision on whether to deactivate or delete social media. Do let us know how you get on!