Let me start by saying: I didn’t delete social media because I’m so evolved or disciplined. Nope, I deleted it because I was tired.
Tired of feeling behind. Tired of the pressure to share every moment. Tired of comparing my life to strangers online. Tired of getting sucked into endless scrolls that I never meant to start.
Not too long ago, I caught a moment that stopped me in my tracks. I was sitting on the couch, mindlessly scrolling through perfectly curated photos, inspirational quotes, and cat videos — half paying attention to the outside world. I looked up and saw my seven-year-old zoned in on his iPad while some loud YouTube video blasted from the TV. Neither of us said anything. We were together in the same room, but totally disconnected. And that hit me hard.
I realized this wasn’t the kind of presence I wanted to have as a mom. And that’s not how I wanted him to remember his childhood. That was the moment I decided to take a break from social media. No dramatic exit or big announcement. Just…a quiet decision. I moved the apps off my home screen. A few days later, I deleted them altogether. I told myself I’d take a break for a week. That week turned into a month. And what was supposed to be a quick little “mental reset,” turned into a full-on 90 day break. And honestly, I gained more than I ever expected.
Without the noise, I noticed the little things: my son’s bedtime questions, his goofy laugh, and his curiosity. I was more present, more patient, and far less anxious.
My son is at the age where he watches everything I do. How I speak, how I move, and yes, how often I look at my phone. I realized that if I wanted him to grow up with a healthy relationship to technology, I needed to model that behavior. Putting the phone down sent a powerful message: “You matter more than this.“ And I meant it. Our children don’t need our filtered photos. They need our eyes, our ears, and our undivided attention.
As an entrepreneur, I’ll be honest: social media is a big part of what I do. I use it to build my brand, connect with people, and grow my business. So yes, I’m back on it now and you’ll definitely see me being more active than I’ve been these past few weeks. But this time, I’m approaching it with way more intention. I’m working on setting clear boundaries between work and personal time, and making sure that social media doesn’t creep into the moments that matter most. Because balance is the goal — not perfection.
Thinking of taking a break too? Here are a few things that helped me:
1. Start small: Try a weekend without the apps. You don’t have to go cold turkey. Just give yourself room to breathe.
2. Set boundaries: Limit how often you check it. Try no scrolls before school drop-off or after dinner.
3. Replace the habit: Fill the space with something better, like journaling, reading, working out, etc.
4. Turn off notifications: Seriously, the world will be fine without those pings. And you’ll feel so much more in control.
5. Invite accountability: Tell a friend or your spouse what you’re doing. Ask them to check in on you. Having support helps.
6. Pay attention to what changes: Notice how you feel. What you gain. What you stop worrying about. It’ll speak volumes.
I’m not here to shame anyone on their phone. Social media can be fun and helpful and even inspiring sometimes. But it can also steal your peace if you’re not careful. For me, stepping away reminded me that real life is happening right in front of me. Not in an app and not in a reel.
