Have you ever stopped to think about the impact social media has on your peace of mind? It was a realisation that came too late towards the end of 2022. The constant arguing, negativity, and drama on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn took a toll on my mental health and well-being. I realised I needed to step back and break free from the negative echo chamber.
You might not realise it, but even seemingly harmless platforms like LinkedIn can have a negative impact on your life. What started as a professional networking platform has fallen prey to the negativity that plagues other social media platforms like Facebook. The constant barrage of conflicts and drama was too much for me to handle.
So, I decided to quit most of my social media accounts, except for one – Instagram. I use it to document my life through photos, and I don’t feel compelled to open it all the time as I did with Facebook and LinkedIn. It’s a nice break from the constant negativity that comes with other social media platforms.
Quitting social media was about more than just avoiding drama and negativity. It was about regaining control over my time and energy. I was tired of feeling drawn into arguments and drama on Facebook and the negativity surrounding mass lay-offs and recruiter spam on LinkedIn. I was tired of feeling like I was wasting my time and energy on something that wasn’t productive or meaningful.
So, I leapt and deleted those accounts. And you know what? It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have more time to focus on the things that are truly important to me, like my relationships and my passions. I’m less likely to be pulled into arguments and have more control over my time and energy.
We have been led to believe that we need LinkedIn to market ourselves, to be in the market. I realised that my GitHub profile speaks for me as a developer much better than any LinkedIn profile ever could. Most of my job opportunities have come from either applying for them or people reaching out to me through my blog.
LinkedIn is probably great if you’re in sales, a recruiter, or a company using it to market yourself. Still, it’s primarily low-value content from self-professed thought leaders and celebrities. I have never applied for a job through LinkedIn nor got a job from a recruiter spamming me an opportunity. Usually, recruiters send me jobs I am not qualified for anyway.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by social media and the constant negativity, I encourage you to consider taking a break. It’s okay to prioritise your peace of mind and break free from the negative echo chamber. You might be surprised by how much better you feel.
