Why I took a step back from social media

Image courtesy Pinterest

I have been contemplating taking a step back and building my business without social media specifically Instagram since 2023! it took me three years to finally take the leap. In 2024 and 2025 I decided to put it to the test and I have never felt more better, I feel lighter, my energy is not as scattered. I always wanted want to build my brand and my businesses another way by also breaking the rules that I have learnt over the years. What works for one person does not need to work for me, at the same time I am in a different season of my life and considering I went through a severe burnout previously it is important I safe guard my wellbeing and build my business around that, as I grow and learn I gained clarity on what I want and what I don’t want, what is working for me and what isn’t. I don’t see the need to do everything one way especially business. So I decided towards the end of 2025 to ease off and step away.

I could not remain consistent on daily posting, I would build momentum then dip, gain momentum then dip again only hurting my account, my business and my mind, I was tired, drained and exhausted creating for the algorithms and the audiences that were not aligned. The energy I felt was of the constant doing, the being available and I kept falling head first. Opening the app itself at one point gave me anxiety and felt awful, that in itself says something! To be available to post for the sake of posting and at the same time shouting louder than ever, feeling like a chore. it also felt as if my vulnerability is up for sale, which I know many people say to share so you can connect, but honestly I don't always want to share, I’m a very private person my intention is not to become a public figure either. If I do decide to share it is within a contained space. I’m not of the idea to connect with others through “vulnerability” instead, connect through my work, what I offer, what I stand for and teach.

The need to be on my phone for the sake of content and showing up is not how I want to live, I enjoy being more present in my day to day, watching the beautiful hues of the sunset, taking in the nature walks and allowing creative flow, enjoying leisurely lunches and dinners, having space in my day to think and just be. Being on Instagram felt like being on another hamster wheel another lie that we must be present on there as a business, that this is the only way - when in reality there are 100s of ways to build a business! not only social media. It is for sure an easier way, definitely not the only. The constant scrolling, the comparison trap which again is curated for views, fake and edited lifestyles. I tried to change my mindset around using it that didn’t work either, without exaggeration I have seen other peoples accounts blow up, yet it didn’t work for me, so it was best I took the courage, trusted my intuition and broke up with it.

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Life on the other side

I feel calmer, less anxious i’m somoene that feels peoples energies (Empaths im sure you can relate). My cognitive function has improved and seems like my brain fog is slowly lifting too with the intentional slower lifetsyle. I have more space in my day, more time to think, and be. It is as if this huge pressure has been lifted.

Will I still use it and what happens next?

Instagram is a good place to build relationships and keep connected, so I will use it as slow posting to showcase my work and build connections. From the marketing perspective it definitely wont be the way for me going forward. I haven’t figured everything out since I’ve just made the transition. All I know is I follow my inner knowing and trust that Allah/God will make a way for me. This is also one of the things being off from Instagram taught me. I would have never been where Iam without social media but its time to trust, let go and leave it in the hands of the one that owns the entire universe, who will provide via his limitless ways through the right soul aligned people.

This post is not for marketing advise, instead this is my experience I wanted to share to help you if you have been considering transitioning away, it does not have to be the same for you, though what I would suggest is Instagram not being the only way you market. Pick a way that works for you and stay consistent, whilst also building real life skills!