Just imagine, just for a moment, waking up one day, reaching for your phone, and realizing that something is missing: no social media. No Instagram, no Facebook, no Twitter, no TikTok. Just like that. Silence envelops you. Initially, I might find myself staring at my phone, pretending to be expecting something magical from the screen, going back to scrolling the feed endlessly-like a person, who has suddenly lost his map, not knowing where to go thereafter.
But soon enough, I’d realize something strange: the world would feel quieter, almost peaceful. It would be like after a heavy snowfall, when everything slows down and there’s a sense of calm. And honestly? I think I’d find that peace kind of refreshing.
Mornings without the Noise
My mornings would be so different without social media, a time-sucker from hell. I wouldn’t spend countless minutes at the break of day swiping through my feed and checking notifications even before getting up. Instead, maybe I’d stretch a little longer, savoring the quiet of the morning….taste and appreciate my uncontaminated cup of coffee, instead of drinking it absentmindedly while watching videos or tapping through posts. For once, I could open a book instead of opening an app—another thing that I’ve wanted to do but often lack the focus to accomplish.
More Meaningful Conversations
In a world without social media, I know that I would actually reach out to other people with more heartfelt communications. Instead of liking their posts or sending a quick emoji, a text or a voice message actually asking, “How are you today?” suddenly feels like the humane thing to do. Imagine actually calling someone up to have a feel-good conversation, getting to hear their voice and laughter live instead of just reading “LOL” or “😂” in the comments. Those depths of human interaction can oftentimes be super powerful on a personal level and can easily get buried in the fast-paced world of online posts.
Being Present
And imagine what living in the moment would be without the compulsion to download everything on social media. No more taking a pause while eating a good meal, trying to snap a perfectly balanced picture, or searching for the cool caption. Life would be about actually enjoying things as they happen, without always worrying about fitting in well on a screen. To mull over what it would be to savor the experience itself—to be there fully engaged with what happens and the detail.
Time for New Hobbies
With all the extra time I’d have, I could explore some old hobbies that I’ve neglected. Maybe I’d write more, something I used to love doing but somehow never find time for anymore. Or maybe I’d pick up my guitar again—it’s been gathering dust in the corner for far too long. The possibilities are endless. I could also spend more time outdoors, taking walks, soaking in the world around me without feeling the need to check my phone every few minutes.
A New Way to Stay Informed
And without social media, I would have to renew my relationship with the news again. I would have had to read the newspapers or comb through independent news websites for information or just talked to my friends and family. And who knows? Maybe I would be a lot less anxious, what with each headline specifically competing for my eyeballs. But in the absence of multiple opinions and bunches of sensational news sources, I would also feel a certain kind of calm and control within how I absorb everything.
Would I Miss It?
At first, I think I’d miss social media. It’s fun, it connects people, and it offers quick entertainment when you need it. But I imagine giving it up won’t be all that hard. I might be happy without it. Life will slow down, and I could give more thought to what really matters: friends, time with loved ones, interests, moments.
And maybe, in a world devoid of social media distractions, we’d be found to be looking up a little bit more—to the sky, to the people around us, to the world being born in real-time. Instead of living through our screens, we might start building a more intimate relationship with life itself, and that sounds like a good world to exit into.
So in the end, the absence of social media in our lives might be the breakthrough we need to lead this life, once all over again and with a simple masterpiece of living. I can’t say just yet, but I think I’ll welcome the change with open arms.
