Once upon a time, I was an avid social media user. Now, not so much. Social media make up a minimal part of my news diet and my day. I can pinpoint several reasons for this. But its effects are harder to gauge.
Has cutting back on social made me or my life better? I'm not sure. I'm definitely happier overall now than I was in my most prolific social media days, but my life has changed in many significant ways since then too. It's impossible to isolate any social-media-specific effect. When I am on it now—or at least on certain platforms, especially X— I notice myself getting riled up about things that don't matter, or over which I have no control. That doesn't seem ideal. Then again, in my profession, some degree of riling up can be good. I also feel more inspired when I use social media, and more connected to people and things beyond my immediate community. Ultimately, cutting back may be a net wash for my well being.
Granted, I was never someone who felt particularly bummed out by social media. I'm sure there are some people for whom its removal might make a big and positive difference.
