I quit social media and this is what happened

the surprising effects of a scroll-free life and business

Hello love,

I quit social media a year ago, almost by accident.

I wanted to see what it would feel like to disconnect completely from Instagram, just for a week. A week turned into a month, and month turned into forever. In this article, I’ll share what has happened since then: the most surprising effects of being scroll-free on my life and business.

To give you a bit of background, Instagram had been my #1 platform for seven years. A full cycle of life for your cells.

That’s where I built an audience for my first business and where I was trying to do the same for my second one. I had always relied more on email marketing than social media trends, but still, the idea of running a digital business without social media seemed completely crazy.

Everywhere you go, you hear that it’s impossible nowadays to build an online presence without social media. You also hear that you have to publish the kind of content that 1) speaks to your people, 2) pleases the algorithm gods and 3) has the potential to go viral.

Catch their attention with a hook, use striking visuals, tell a story, provide value, teach but be entertaining, add filters but be authentic, make a dance but be real, use your everyday life for content, but don’t look like you’re trying too hard…

The list of rules for social media success is almost as long as the prerequisites for being the perfect woman(#barbiemovie). And even then, even with thousands of followers, you only get ten views and one like.

That’s when I went rogue.

Since ditching social media specifically for business, I went all in - or rather all out - and removed all Meta apps from my phone a little over three months ago. Here’s what I’ve experienced since then:

Diminished anxiety

I’m not saying social media was the root of my anxiety. That’s obviously more complex, but it definitely wasn’t helping. For me, anxiety is often triggered by a sense of powerlessness or overwhelm. So it’s no surprise that my first perk of quitting social media was feeling significantly less anxious.

Anxiety still happens, life isn’t always easy, but at least I’m no longer constantly interrupted by information that is 95% irrelevant to my day or not actually aimed at making my life better.

I read five books in January

I honestly can’t believe how many more books I could have read over the years if I had picked up a book instead of scrolling myself to sleep. Dopamine addiction is real : I genuinely thought I was having fun.

When I quit social media and started reading in bed instead, I remembered that I love reading fiction, how it develops my imagination, my understanding of the world and my understanding of myself. Not to mention, my sleep quality has drastically improved.

I wrote more than 20 articles on Substack

When Instagram was part of my marketing strategy, I tried to use it mindfully: planning my posts in advance, crafting thoughtful captions and limiting my time on the app with an “in and out” strategy.

But social media is designed to keep you there. Even if you have followers, most won’t see your content unless you engage - meaning you have to go interact with others, which inevitably leads to getting lost in the feed.

I intended to write on Substack, but social media drained my creative energy. Not to mention how looking at perfected snapshots of other people’s lives sapped my my self-belief and confidence.

Now? I write first thing in the morning. My mind is clear, undisturbed by comparison on external noise. I read more Substack articles that actually nurture my reflections and creativity. Conclusion: I’m becoming a prolific writer.

Who knows, at this pace I might even write a book.

I filled an entire journal in January alone

Speaking of writing, my first notebook of the year (where I journal every morning) is already full.

At first, I was surprised by this effect of quitting social media. But it makes sense: I’m more connected to myself, my inner life is richer, and I have more to write about—both publicly and privately.

Why is this a good thing? Because journaling increases self-awareness. It helps you notice patterns in your thoughts, emotions, fears, and desires. Writing about them, especially using self-coaching techniques, allows you to navigate through them with kindness and compassion.

You become your own guide, your own best friend, your own mentor, your own mother. You become fluent in you. And when you can hold space for yourself, validate yourself, and empower yourself, you become unstoppable.

Calm in the middle of a storm

Now, I feel like that Buddhist monk in 2012, the movie : the world is being swallowed by a tsunami, and there he is, still and serene.

Who am I kidding? Of course, it’s not that dramatic.

But there is noticeably more calm in my days. It’s not just about quitting social media. I’ve also built daily routines that support my mental and emotional health, and I’ve learned to set boundaries in work and family life.

That said, I used to fill every blank space in my day with Instagram. Waiting for water to boil? Scrolling. Waiting for my kid to finish using the toilet? Scrolling. Looking for new content ideas? Scrolling.

I was never fully present. Never fully in my body.

Now, I am. And that’s where calm truly lives.

Contemplation

I watch the steam rising from my tea. I feel the warmth of my hot water bottle against my skin. I notice my breath, the tension in my belly, the stiffness in my back, and I schedule extra movement for later in the day.

I know this sounds like an ad for meditation, but I promise you my life isn’t perfect. I’m still busy, and I still need a high level of organisation.

But at least now, every moment is mine. I choose where to place my attention.

Shit gets done

What happens when your anxiety decreases, your self-doubt diminishes, and you reclaim your time and attention?

Shit gets done.

I’ve read more. Written more. Listened to more podcasts. Actually completed a course I purchased. Sent more emails. Built my website. Created a sales page. Updated my email course. Rebranded. Connected with more people on Substack and via email.

And that’s on top of what I do for my VA/digital marketing clients.

No way would I have done all this while biting my nails and scrolling Instagram. If you’re looking for a productivity hack and you’re a sensitive soul… this is it!

But to be fair, there are some downsides...

My brain wants dopamine

We find dopamine in many different ways: accomplishing tasks, winning at games, learning new things, closing a deal, getting messages and seeing hearts and notifications on social media.

We all crave dopamine at a certain degree and I’ve been uncomfortably aware of the degree at which I crave it… Sometimes I’m just looking at my phone, looking for something to look at. No ringing, no beeping, no buzzing, no hearts.

Just me and reality

Now, I’m learning to redirect this craving in healthier ways.

I forget what I look like

I used to be hyper-aware of my appearance, constantly documenting my everyday life for content. Now? If I don’t have a client meeting, I forget to put on makeup.

Sometimes I do put make up on and forget, until I’m in the shower and it’s too late: I look like a panda.

Maybe that’s what I look like now. A panda.

I have no idea what’s going on in the world

I avoid both social media and the news. But since people tell me, I know just enough to know that I don’t want to know more.

And that’s fine.

I believe that we don’t have the bandwidth to process all the information that our society provides us with.

The same goes for what “competitors” have been doing in their business, because I don’t need to “beat” anyone at marketing or social media.

By beating procrastination, impostor syndrome and anxiety, I’m already winning.

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I know that leaving social media isn’t the right choice for everyone.

But if you’ve been feeling drained by it, if you crave a way to grow your business that feels calmer, more sustainable, and actually aligned with who you are, then know you’re not alone.

That’s exactly why I created the Soulful Biz Club: a space where sensitive entrepreneurs can build their businesses in a way that nurtures them, rather than drains them. A space where deep conversations replace endless scrolling, and genuine growth happens on your terms.

If that sounds like what you need, come join us.

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What about you?

Have you also quit social media or you’re thinking of jumping out of it? Tell me in the comments what it’s been like for you! I’d love to hear your story.

Thank you so much for reading.

Power and light,

Jessica

Photo by Michael Payne on Unsplash