Delete all social media and create a website
- gutermanjunior
- Aug 22, 2024
- 10 min read
Introduction
Part 1: The Impetus for Deleting Social Media
In contemporary society, the pervasive influence of social media has become a topic of increasing concern. This chapter delves into the multifaceted reasons behind the urge to delete social media platforms from our lives.
Negative Impact on Mental Health: Research suggests a direct correlation between excessive social media usage and adverse effects on mental well-being. “Ulvi et al. (2022)” assert that heightened engagement with social media, particularly among vulnerable individuals, is associated with depression and other mental health disorders. This finding underscores the need to reevaluate the role of social media in our lives and consider its potential detrimental effects on our psychological health.
Substitution for Real-life Experiences: Social media often serves as a surrogate for genuine human interaction and tangible experiences. The allure of digital connections may lead individuals to forego meaningful face-to-face interactions, thereby diminishing the richness of real-life experiences.
Time Consumption and Addictiveness: Another compelling reason to consider deleting social media is the propensity for these platforms to consume vast amounts of time and foster addictive behaviors. The incessant scrolling, notifications, and endless streams of content can easily detract from productivity and personal fulfillment.
For further exploration of strategies to navigate the digital landscape and reclaim control over our online presence, the book "Digital Minimalism" by Cal Newport comes highly recommended.
ref.:
“Ulvi et al. (2022)”: Ulvi, O.; Karamehic-Muratovic, A.; Baghbanzadeh, M.; Bashir, A.; Smith, J.; Haque, U. Social Media Use and Mental Health: A Global Analysis. Epidemiologia 2022, 3, 11-25. https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia3010002
Part 2: Understanding the Fear of Deleting Social Media
This chapter delves into the underlying fears that often deter individuals from taking the bold step of deleting their social media accounts.
Fear of Losing Connections: One prevalent apprehension is the fear of losing connections with friends, family, and acquaintances. Drawing upon the concept of non-attachment, we must confront the notion that true relationships transcend digital platforms. The philosophical perspective of eternal recurrence, as espoused by Friedrich Nietzsche, prompts reflection on the cyclical nature of human connections and the impermanence of online interactions.
Fear of Losing Memories: Social media has become a repository for cherished memories, from milestone events to everyday moments captured through photographs and posts. However, reliance on these platforms for memory preservation can be precarious. Instead, we must explore alternative means of documenting and preserving memories, ensuring their longevity beyond the confines of social media.
Fear of Losing Inspiration: The endless stream of curated content on social media platforms may create a dependency on external sources of inspiration. This overconsumption of inspiration can stifle creativity and hinder the cultivation of self-generated ideas. By embracing digital minimalism and fostering periods of solitude and introspection, we can tap into our intrinsic wells of creativity and innovation.
In addressing these fears and uncertainties surrounding the deletion of social media, individuals can embark on a journey of self-discovery and reclaim agency over their digital lives.
Understanding the Fear
Fear of Losing Connections
Being part of Gen Y, even though I didn't enter a world already saturated with social media like Gen Alpha did, it still became a significant aspect of my social life from a young age. Accessing it since I was 12, which seems too young in retrospect, meant it played a crucial role during my formative years. It's where connections from my childhood are preserved, making it the only place some of these connections exist. Thus, the fear of losing these connections was a significant concern when contemplating deleting social media. Orkut has testimonials where the connections were stablished, it has just a few photos but it felt a lot.
I'll share a bit of my backstory with you all. I've moved twice in my life, but I'm not talking about different states of matter, like solid or liquid; I'm referring to different states within Brazil. I was born in East Zone, then relocated to the center of São Paulo at the age of 16, and later to Campinas at 18. For me, social media has been the primary link to all the connections I've ever had in these communities. If you've ever moved, you'll understand how disorienting it can be, especially as a child, when everyone you've known suddenly disappears from your everyday life. Social media has been the only way to stay connected with classmates from East Zone and center of São Paulo. This reliance on social media connections has made it difficult for me to consider deleting it entirely from my life.
How I tackled this fear was by delving into the practice of non-attachment, a concept prevalent in various philosophical traditions, notably Buddhism. Non-attachment teaches us not to cling onto things that no longer serve our lives and only lead to unnecessary suffering. My struggle revolved around holding onto carefully curated social media connections, which essentially tethered me to past experiences and individuals, despite those connections not being actively maintained. It became apparent that this attachment was hindering my ability to fully engage with the present and was causing unnecessary emotional turmoil.
Despite the initial reluctance and the feeling of loss associated with deleting social media, I gradually realized that it was a necessary step towards gaining a deeper sense of presence and connection with my immediate community. By letting go of these virtual ties, I found myself more fully engaged in meaningful interactions with those around me. Ultimately, I discovered that in relinquishing the illusion of connection through social media, I was gaining the invaluable gift of authentic presence and genuine connection with those physically present in my life.
I got carried away by the idea of loss, so let me share Nietzsche's concept of "eternal recurrence." Disclaimer: I'm not a Nietzsche fan, but I dig this idea. It says your life is a loop, repeating the same events endlessly. It's a helpful mindset for dealing with loss. Losing people sucks - it feels primal, like a survival threat. But this concept helps me see that, no matter what I lose, life repeats, and the love and friendships I miss will find their way back. I choose to believe we meet everyone again, and that makes me think, "If life loops, wouldn't I want to be present, engaged with my current community instead of clinging to the past through social media?" What kind of life would you choose to live over and over? A whole, present one, or a fragmented one lost in the past or future (like social media makes us)? That's the question I'm asking myself.
Fear of losing memories
Social media has been a significant part of my life since I was 12 years old, and now at 31, that's nineteen years' worth of memories logged into these platforms. It's like a digital timeline of my growth, where you can see me evolving through my posts and interactions. Deleting social media feels like erasing a time capsule of my life, a repository of valuable experiences that contribute to my self-understanding.
However, I've come to realize that letting go of social media doesn't mean losing those memories entirely. There's a simple solution: save everything. Whether it's posts, comments, or tagged photos, I can preserve these moments by taking the time to screen record or archive them. Once social media is gone, I can explore alternative methods to capture memories. Perhaps through creating YouTube videos, journaling about meaningful conversations, or simply engaging in more meaningful interactions with friends and family.
It's about breaking free from the reliance on social media as the sole keeper of memories and embracing other avenues for preserving experiences. By diversifying how I capture and reflect on moments, I can create a more robust and meaningful record of my life journey. So while social media may have served as a convenient time capsule in the past, I'm now ready to explore more authentic and intentional ways of preserving memories for the future.
Fear of losing inspiration
As a scientist and someone keen on developing soft skills, the fear of losing inspiration looms large whenever I contemplate the idea of deleting my social media accounts. Platforms like Youtube, Instagram and Twitter serve as invaluable resources for accessing a wealth of scientific knowledge, insightful discussions, and opportunities for skill development. Scrolling through my feed, I encounter a plethora of articles, discussions, and success stories that often ignite my curiosity and drive to learn more.
However, amidst this abundance of information, I've noticed a concerning trend: overconsumption. Social media platforms are designed to capture and retain our attention, often leading to prolonged periods of browsing at the expense of actual skill-building or deep learning. It's easy to fall into the trap of passively consuming content rather than actively engaging in meaningful learning experiences.
Furthermore, there's a legitimate concern about the quality and originality of the content we encounter on social media. While it provides a convenient platform for accessing information, there's a risk of relying too heavily on external sources without critically evaluating their credibility or relevance. This can impede our ability to develop independent critical thinking skills and discern fact from fiction in a sea of information overload.
Upon reflection, I've come to recognize the importance of striking a balance between online engagement and offline reflection in nurturing my scientific curiosity and soft skills. Disconnecting from social media allows me the opportunity to delve deeper into topics of interest, engage in hands-on learning experiences, and cultivate my own unique perspectives and insights.
In essence, while social media can undoubtedly offer valuable resources for scientific learning and skill development, it's essential to approach its use mindfully. By consciously curating our online experiences, setting boundaries for consumption, and prioritizing hands-on learning and reflection, we can harness the full potential of social media while safeguarding our intellectual growth and development.
Website as replacement
Complete creative freedom
When considering why I chose to create a website over other mediums, several factors come into play. Firstly, it's about complete creative freedom. Social media platforms often impose constraints on how content is displayed, limiting artistic expression. For instance, Instagram's rigid layout requirements, like forcing pictures into squares or highlights into circles, can feel stifling. Expressions should be boundless, unrestricted by arbitrary rules. With a website, I have the autonomy to design and showcase my work exactly as I envision it, without conforming to preset formats or aspect ratios. It's liberating to have full control over every aspect of presentation, allowing me to truly unleash my creativity and share my content in its purest form.
Long-term Project
Creating a website is a significant long-term endeavor, and a personal anecdote underscores this point. During a discussion about the meaning of life, a friend emphasized the importance of continuously working on meaningful projects as a contribution to the grand project of life itself. This resonated with me deeply, especially considering how a website can serve as one of these long-term projects. Building a website is not a quick task; it's a lifelong process that requires dedication and patience. Along the way, one can acquire valuable skills like coding with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, though learning to code isn't mandatory thanks to tools like ChatGPT or site builders. While some may argue about the necessity of learning coding skills, I believe that even with assistance, creating a website remains a substantial long-term endeavor. It becomes a personal project, meticulously crafted to reflect one's vision and aspirations. In essence, a website is just one of many mini projects contributing to the grand masterpiece of life, akin to the ongoing project of nurturing friendships.
Why do you create a website?
Creating content has always been a deeply personal challenge for me, but I believe social media has distorted the true essence of why we create. When our artwork becomes merely a means for social validation, it diminishes the purity of our creative process. By transitioning to a website, free from the pressures of likes and comments, I'm reminded of the core reason for my artistry: the innate urge to create something meaningful with my own hands, to transform raw ideas into something entirely new, and turn inspirations to my POV.
In delving into this topic, I've found resonance with the concepts explored in "Digital Minimalism," a book that examines the impact of digital technologies on our lives. One particular anecdote struck a chord with me: the story of an artist who maintained a presence on Instagram solely to showcase their work. While sharing one's art is undoubtedly important, the book's publication in 2019 predates the introduction of features like reels, which have further intensified the addictive nature of social media platforms. Considering this evolution, it's crucial to reassess whether platforms like Instagram remain the best avenue for sharing our art.
By opting for a website, I'm reclaiming control over how my work and thoughts is presented and experienced. It's a platform devoid of the distracting metrics of social validation, allowing me to share my art in a space that prioritizes authenticity and creativity. While the desire to share our creations with others is intrinsic to the artistic process, a website offers a more intimate and meaningful connection with audiences, free from the superficiality of likes and comments.
Moreover, a website serves as a testament to the enduring nature of our creative journey. It's a digital archive of our artistic evolution, a space where each piece of work is honored for its inherent value rather than its popularity. In embracing this platform, I'm embracing the true essence of why I create: to express myself authentically, to connect with others on a deeper level, and to contribute something of significance to the world.
In essence, while social media may offer convenience in sharing our art, it often comes at the cost of sacrificing the purity and authenticity of our creative process. By embracing a website as a platform for sharing my work, I'm reaffirming my commitment to the intrinsic joys of creation, free from the distractions of social validation.
New Contact Methods
I've decided to explore new ways to stay connected after deleting social media. I understand you may be wondering how we can keep in touch. Well, I still value our interactions and want to be there for you all. That's why I'm always take, at least, one e-mail when I create a new contact on my phone, specially from professional contacts. However, I admit I'm still figuring out how to set it up, I barely sent a professional email, once or twice. In the meantime, you can reach me through my e-mail sending me a direct message (if you're are reading this, probably you already have my e-mail). Feel free to ask questions or share any struggles you're facing—I'll do my best to respond when I can.
Conclusion
Let's address the limitations of this article. Firstly, it's important to note that I'm not a full-time developer; rather, developing is a hobby for me. I haven't experienced relying on social media for monetary support, which affects my perspective. Secondly, while I do have a Instagram account, promoting my website through it helps me feel connected to my content and audience. Thus, creating a link to my website seems like a viable solution. Thirdly, it's worth mentioning that my frontal cortex is probably fully developed, so my insights looks like solid.
In conclusion, I encourage you to visit my website and consider creating your own. If the points I've raised resonate with you, it might be worth contemplating the idea of deleting social media from your life. Remember, my advice may change as my understanding is refined, so it's always good to check back in the future for updated perspectives.
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