This is such a brilliant piece filled with wisdom and intelligent insight Stefano. I’m actually about to delete Instagram (which I haven’t used for years but still scroll) and go ‘off grid’ off my phone as much as possible by also reducing WhatsApp usage. It’s time to go within like never before ✨
Hi Hege! Thanks for reading and glad you found it useful. I'm not perfect, I have deleted most social media but still find a way to waste time each day on some form of social media, but it's much reduced now. Let me know how it goes :)
Of course!! They will try and see how far they can go..
I believe Covid restrictions were a test too.. like cattle... remember the arrows in the supermarket?? Social media showed us how sick/ beraved human kind can be.. well.. some of us.
And how manipulatable the herd has become... and those that didn't follow or even dared to speak up were shut down or worse..
Let's hope human kind will wake up before it's too late.. this time it seems global.
my headaches are back, and it could be a few things causing them, I'm thinking dehydration, and maybe straining my eyes to see the small screen aka the phone, anyway... good column
yeah, I've had headaches on and off since 1986, I was a different guy back then and I shall we say "reaped the whirlwind" but all is well, a little better today
Good article Stefano. I’ve never been much of a social media person. I was even ostracized a bit growing up because I didn’t want to use it—I completely agree.
But I also think the specter of comparison finds us all eventually. Realizing we are who we are, and that we walk our own path, is essential.
Exactly Rasmus! And good on you for not using social media as you were growing up. I must admit, it does have some advantages, but that's only if you can use it well, and most people can't.
Comparison can be good, but we do walk our own paths as you mention, that's the most important thing to learn!
Hey Stefano, just read this article as it was recommended on another one of yours.
I agree so much about the part of constant self-comparison with peers or former schoolmates. It is so painful to try to prove to yourself your life is “better”, “happier” or “more interesting” when you actually feel you are the one underachieving. And I just don’t know where it comes, the addictive nature of the lurk of other people’s life’s.
I’ll be following your posts. Thank you for sharing.
I think it comes from our childhood. I always derived my happiness from making other people happy or getting their validation. I never did something for myself, always for someone else. And this always left me unhappy with my life. But now I’m changing and my life has been much better.
I hope to be able to write more interesting content for you!
Great article! I really liked your theory about consumers and creators, such an interesting point of view. I totally agree with so many of your thoughts on social media.
I relate to pretty much everything you wrote about here.
I had (and still have) a very interesting relationship with social media. On the one hand, consuming feels really good, but it also makes me feel so bad afterwards. I felt trapped in a cycle of quitting and using again for years. I did manage to quit for months at a time, only to get sucked in again. It's just too easy to get hooked.
For me, YouTube is the worst, as there is a lot of good and educational content I want to watch, but there is also a lot of bull***t.
Sometimes, I wish I could've experienced the world before the cellphone and the internet. Kind of hard to imagine that world today...
I deleted YouTube from my phone but I am still able to access it from Safari haha, I should try and find a way to block it from Safari because I can't delete Safari from my phone.
What kind of stuff do you like watching on YouTube?
I took a 1 month social media fast -- it was really refreshing and also helped me realize which platforms I can use for good/growth, and which platforms are just draining and time-consuming.
What’s your experience with social media? ⬅️ Generally it's ok.
Only thing is too many scammers. They can use anyone's pictures to scam others n it makes me feel insecure.
Thus, I deleted all of them.
The only one I use to contact people is Whatsapp n Discord. Twitter was mainly to promote my posts n I don't really interact over there. Lastly, most of my connections are on Substack. 🙏😊
Good choice to delete all of them, I'm only on Substack and Whatsapp. I had to download Instagram again for work, but I may delete it as now people I know are following me and I don't want to use it for that haha.
One of the good thing about Substack is, people do not expect an instant reply n sometimes, other writers or readers will response on the comment too.💪
Yeah, deleting all the other social media is the best decision cos I noticed I was watching other people's life (regardless it's real or not) instead of living my life.✌️
What a great piece, I took a month of social media and felt so good. Since, I have been back on, I don't feel 100%. This is the inspiration I needed to jump back off.
Hey Marco! Glad you found this valuable, I appreciate your comment!
Yes, it's weird isn't it. You go without it, see how much better you feel, but then still go back to it even though you know it's not good for you.
I would advise to try and take it one day at a time, and then you will see the compound effect of not being on social media and how much time you win back, and how much more confident and in control you become!
Great article. It's hard to balance when you use it for good things like writing and stuff. But you can get caught up in anything if you don't try to balance somehow.
Hi Patrick! Nice to see a new face here, I haven't seen your name before. True, it can be good when it is used for good things I agree with you. And most people just get caught up in it and end up using social media for unproductive things.
Saying that, social media can be very effective in business.
This is such a brilliant piece filled with wisdom and intelligent insight Stefano. I’m actually about to delete Instagram (which I haven’t used for years but still scroll) and go ‘off grid’ off my phone as much as possible by also reducing WhatsApp usage. It’s time to go within like never before ✨
Hi Hege! Thanks for reading and glad you found it useful. I'm not perfect, I have deleted most social media but still find a way to waste time each day on some form of social media, but it's much reduced now. Let me know how it goes :)
The more we control our social media usage, the more we will notice what's around us and truly live.
Very well said!
Got rid of it years ago! FB aske me for a government issued ID.. yes!
Unbelievable!
Other than Substack.
Thank you for writing!! 🙌
Hey An! Thank you for reading I appreciate it. Even now LinkedIn is asking me to verify myself by scanning the chip in my passport...
Of course!! They will try and see how far they can go..
I believe Covid restrictions were a test too.. like cattle... remember the arrows in the supermarket?? Social media showed us how sick/ beraved human kind can be.. well.. some of us.
And how manipulatable the herd has become... and those that didn't follow or even dared to speak up were shut down or worse..
Let's hope human kind will wake up before it's too late.. this time it seems global.
my headaches are back, and it could be a few things causing them, I'm thinking dehydration, and maybe straining my eyes to see the small screen aka the phone, anyway... good column
Hey Rob! Thanks for reading, yes, haha, I had that as well when I would be on my phone a lot, constant headaches.
yeah, I've had headaches on and off since 1986, I was a different guy back then and I shall we say "reaped the whirlwind" but all is well, a little better today
It maybe 5G...
Good article Stefano. I’ve never been much of a social media person. I was even ostracized a bit growing up because I didn’t want to use it—I completely agree.
But I also think the specter of comparison finds us all eventually. Realizing we are who we are, and that we walk our own path, is essential.
Exactly Rasmus! And good on you for not using social media as you were growing up. I must admit, it does have some advantages, but that's only if you can use it well, and most people can't.
Comparison can be good, but we do walk our own paths as you mention, that's the most important thing to learn!
Hey Stefano, just read this article as it was recommended on another one of yours.
I agree so much about the part of constant self-comparison with peers or former schoolmates. It is so painful to try to prove to yourself your life is “better”, “happier” or “more interesting” when you actually feel you are the one underachieving. And I just don’t know where it comes, the addictive nature of the lurk of other people’s life’s.
I’ll be following your posts. Thank you for sharing.
Hey Ale! Really glad you liked it!
I think it comes from our childhood. I always derived my happiness from making other people happy or getting their validation. I never did something for myself, always for someone else. And this always left me unhappy with my life. But now I’m changing and my life has been much better.
I hope to be able to write more interesting content for you!
*written on a social media site* - no but seriously i agree, I only use twitter from time to time but that is like pure poison.
Hahahaha, good point.... Although I would argue Substack is slighty better than most social media sites!
Yes!! A much needed piece, thank you Stefano. Here’s to waking up from the consumer dream and starting to finally live our life!
Hey Issa! Thanks for reading I appreciate it :)
Great article! I really liked your theory about consumers and creators, such an interesting point of view. I totally agree with so many of your thoughts on social media.
Hello!
Thanks for commenting and I appreciate that you liked it.
I relate to pretty much everything you wrote about here.
I had (and still have) a very interesting relationship with social media. On the one hand, consuming feels really good, but it also makes me feel so bad afterwards. I felt trapped in a cycle of quitting and using again for years. I did manage to quit for months at a time, only to get sucked in again. It's just too easy to get hooked.
For me, YouTube is the worst, as there is a lot of good and educational content I want to watch, but there is also a lot of bull***t.
Sometimes, I wish I could've experienced the world before the cellphone and the internet. Kind of hard to imagine that world today...
It’s a lot of random stuff like movie or video game clips, or some nature videos.
What about you?
Nature videos is good haha.
Sometimes it is business related, but it's mostly just mind-numbing videos which serve no value, but I still do it.
I am getting better at controlling it.
Haha man I know the feeling, I am the exact same.
I deleted YouTube from my phone but I am still able to access it from Safari haha, I should try and find a way to block it from Safari because I can't delete Safari from my phone.
What kind of stuff do you like watching on YouTube?
I took a 1 month social media fast -- it was really refreshing and also helped me realize which platforms I can use for good/growth, and which platforms are just draining and time-consuming.
That's great, most social media is draining, but can be useful if used in the right way.
What’s your experience with social media? ⬅️ Generally it's ok.
Only thing is too many scammers. They can use anyone's pictures to scam others n it makes me feel insecure.
Thus, I deleted all of them.
The only one I use to contact people is Whatsapp n Discord. Twitter was mainly to promote my posts n I don't really interact over there. Lastly, most of my connections are on Substack. 🙏😊
Hey Janet! Sorry for the late response here.
Good choice to delete all of them, I'm only on Substack and Whatsapp. I had to download Instagram again for work, but I may delete it as now people I know are following me and I don't want to use it for that haha.
Glad to have met you here on Substack!
No worries, Stefano! 👍
One of the good thing about Substack is, people do not expect an instant reply n sometimes, other writers or readers will response on the comment too.💪
Yeah, deleting all the other social media is the best decision cos I noticed I was watching other people's life (regardless it's real or not) instead of living my life.✌️
I'm glad to connect with you too! 🙏😊
What a great piece, I took a month of social media and felt so good. Since, I have been back on, I don't feel 100%. This is the inspiration I needed to jump back off.
Hey Marco! Glad you found this valuable, I appreciate your comment!
Yes, it's weird isn't it. You go without it, see how much better you feel, but then still go back to it even though you know it's not good for you.
I would advise to try and take it one day at a time, and then you will see the compound effect of not being on social media and how much time you win back, and how much more confident and in control you become!
Good luck my friend.
Thank you for your kindness and your response.
Great article. It's hard to balance when you use it for good things like writing and stuff. But you can get caught up in anything if you don't try to balance somehow.
Hi Patrick! Nice to see a new face here, I haven't seen your name before. True, it can be good when it is used for good things I agree with you. And most people just get caught up in it and end up using social media for unproductive things.
Saying that, social media can be very effective in business.
I’m definitely hooked on checking my phone too much, it causes anxiety so trying to work on that
I know the feeling man, it’s bad!
I am still not perfect.
But I am genuinely always happiest when I don’t check my phone and spend the majority of my day away from it.
Same here hahaha