Like Georgina McNamara (The one change that worked: I deleted Instagram – and embraced the joys of a truly private life, 19 October), I also deleted Instagram over a year ago and have never looked back. And I didn’t stop there. I deleted every social media app I had. When my eldest daughter imitated me one day by holding up two phones, one at each ear, I knew it was time to change something. After I went on maternity leave with my second baby, I deleted all social media from my personal phone. I worked in marketing so it felt counterintuitive, but I wanted to have a break.
Suddenly the world opened up. I could concentrate enough to read more than just the headlines of articles. I had time to organise meetups with friends in real life – in fact, life became IRL. I realise how much time I’d spent of my young children’s lives watching other people parent or just love their lives, and how much I was missing out on. So I quit all social media. Now I just have one messaging app and email, and I am happier for it. Everyone should try it.
