1‑Month No‑Social‑Media Update

Written By Darla Ellison

Hi, queens!

It’s been exactly one month since I deleted all the apps.

Apps I Deleted

(Not just the apps—the accounts, too. I haven’t had IG for three years, so it’s not listed, obvi.)

  • TikTok

  • Facebook – I still have the account so my fam knows I’m alive

  • Tinder

  • Hinge

  • Snapchat – should I delete the whole account? My memories are just stupid stuff and puppy pics

How Do I Feel?

PHENOMENAL! It feels great. Mentally, I feel soooo much better—less angry, LESS ANXIOUS, less stressed. My brain feels quieter; not fully quiet, but it’s almost a whisper versus a chaotic yell. My sleep pattern has improved. I’ve been going to bed earlier—unless I get caught in a book or a TV show, but that’s way better than an endless scroll or swipe.

What Have I Done Instead?

You’ve probably wondered what I’ve been up to. First of all, I cut my screen time down by 2–3 hours per day—that’s 14–21 hours per week. That’s a whole lot of extra time!

Things I’ve done instead of scrolling:

  • Vlogging (more on that… maybe… maybe not; I just like yapping)

  • Working out

  • Got back into weight training

  • Hot‑girl walking for longer

  • Sticking to my night routines!!! SLAYYYYYYY

  • Been outside more—got a lil tan on my ghost skin, yippie

  • Created a fire Pinterest 2025 prayer board—it’s HEAT

  • Picked up old hobbies like painting

  • Made magnets—going to make more

  • Made jewelry

Things I’ve Noticed

  • I am wayyyy more present.

  • I am happier.

  • Not full of envy or jealousy—like, let them; I do not care anymore, which is wonderful.

  • I feel better physically and mentally.

  • I feel like I have more opportunity and more time to do things (CAUSE I DO, DUH).

  • If some of your friends only use Snap for conversation, goooood luck getting any response out of them—also, if they rely on an app that badly, do they have a problem, or are they just not really a good friend?

  • I have less anxiety.

  • Using Pinterest is wayyyyy better: constant positive reinforcement, ideas, motivation, wizard memes, organization, less chaos, no silly algorithm or weird nonsense that other apps use.

  • LUST—omg, omg, guys!!!!! It’s not even an issue for me anymore. Not that I don’t have a libido (’cause ya girl does), but I’m not hyper‑fixated on it. I’m not concerned about myself as a sexual being or having to be that to get someone, if that makes sense. It’s definitely chilled out, and when I see it on Google or videos from other people, I just get grossed out—like that ick you get from a guy you really like.

  • Productive as soon as I get home—I've been keeping my room cleaner than usual and making my bed n’ stuff, which is nice.

  • I’ve been burning my candles :)

Overall

I’ve been DOING PHYSICAL STUFF instead of watching other people live their lives. Also, so much gossip???? I love good tea, but constant 24/7 is exhausting, ESPECIALLY if it’s the same stuff about the same people—let’s limit it to 1–2 stories per week. Gossip is a literal sin, and it’s one of the easiest things to skip.

Story time: At dinner, my grandma started talking about one of the cousins and whatnot, and I got annoyed. My mom caught on too, and we both told her about Mel Robbins and her “let them” theory. Of course, Grandma doesn’t care and will still gossip, but she knows not to do it with us now.

Will I Go Back?

  • TikTok: Definitely not.

  • Snap: Probably not—people don’t really need another way to reach me.

  • Facebook: Maybe for Marketplace.

  • Dating apps: Never. Self‑explanatory.

Darla Ellison
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