How did it all begin — and how did I become a digital minimalist? As a creator on social media, I started being active not too long ago. Creating videos and publishing publicly was a huge step outside my comfort zone, and I’m glad I took it. My husband played a big role — he’s the kind of person who activates things in me. I still remember sitting in the living room two years ago, staring in disbelief as he brought me a ring light with a phone stand.
I had bought the light myself, but then I got pregnant and postponed recording videos. I occasionally mentioned with regret that I’d like to start. So one day, my husband assembled the light that had been sitting in the attic, placed it in front of me, and said: “Here’s your light. You want to record — so record.” I was furious. Had he lost his mind? Our daughter was six months old, I was exhausted, sleep‑deprived — and I was supposed to record videos?! “Stop talking about it and just try. Even if it’s just a test.” So I tried.
“I’ll start once I learn a bit more”
In the following days, I overcame the mindset of “I’ll start once I’m better at it” and recorded my first video for YouTube and other platforms. I began with theoretical videos — long talks on various topics. I didn’t realize I could edit them or take breaks. I mostly spoke off the top of my head. It wasn’t great. Then I walked past my neatly organized clothing drawers — and thought: what if I made it practical and showed how to fold clothes?
And it worked. I recorded a video, my friend helped me edit it, and within days it was on YouTube. To this day I’m amazed — it now has over 55,000 views and kick‑started my creation of more videos, articles, and posts. It launched a new creative phase of my project — one I love. Getting feedback from someone who says my content helped them change something in their life is deeply meaningful. Looking back, it’s funny that I named my project “More Joy.” It truly brought me more joy — but the initial euphoria of finally doing what I love eventually spiraled.
I started working too much, not resting, ignoring my body’s limits. I ignored signs of exhaustion. I wrote and created late into the night, cutting sleep. Long story short — I burned out. More than once. Starting a business with small children is not easy. But it wasn’t just fatigue — social media began draining me. The fuel that once felt intoxicating and euphoric turned against me. I felt I had to be constantly active — posting, responding, glued to my phone.
The joy disappeared along the way
I still enjoyed creating inspiration, but everything around it became overwhelming. So I did what I had to do — I disconnected. Repeatedly. I turned off my phone. Instead of posting daily on Instagram, I prescribed myself a digital detox. Last year I did several detoxes — and thanks to one of them, I’m writing my book right now.
I realized that if I’m too active on social media, I have no time left for creating something meaningful — something that doesn’t expire in 24 hours. I don’t want to imply social media are purely bad — they’re not. They’re a good servant, but a bad master. They allow anyone to share their work with the world without needing big companies behind them. They offer incredible opportunities, especially when starting something new. For me, it’s about constant fine‑tuning — and right now, being fully present is more valuable than checking my phone. I live better without excessive phone use. The less I use it, the happier I feel.
What I prescribed myself instead of social media:
- More calm
- More rest
- More walks
- More full attention to myself, family, friends — everyone 🙂
How do you know it’s time to disconnect? Here’s how I know:
- I reach for my phone countless times a day for no reason
- Instead of inspiration, I start comparing myself and stressing
- I begin viewing my reality as something to photograph or film — which feels disturbing
The best cure?
- Disconnect. Delete Instagram from your phone — not just from the home screen, remove the app entirely
- Delete Facebook and other apps — otherwise you’ll just switch platforms
- I even deleted my email app this time
- Decide in advance how long you’ll stay offline — I recommend 14 days, ideally a month
Create new routines to replace your social media habits:
- Morning: enjoy breakfast, do yoga, meditate, read, journal — or simply be present (these are my ideal mornings, not daily reality!)
- Meals: savor your food, focus on conversation
- Evening: don’t take your phone to bed — read or journal instead
Find alternative mobile activities — here’s what works for me:
- Learning languages on Duolingo
- Listening to audiobooks
- Browsing inspiration on Pinterest
- Writing notes in Google Keep
I listed activities you can still do on your phone — because quitting phone use entirely is hard. I noticed the habit of scrolling and consuming content. Pinterest feels safer — less interactive, just inspiration. Over time, you can reflect on whether you even want to scroll anymore. Ask yourself: “What does this give me?”
Many people use social media to validate their self‑worth
Long‑term, this doesn’t bring real fulfillment. It’s a mirage — feeding the ego artificially. It makes us dependent on external reactions. Social media are designed to be addictive — hormonally similar to gambling or drugs. Adrenaline and dopamine spike. We get lost in scrolling.
Among teenagers, increased social media use correlates with depression and suicidal tendencies. Steve Jobs didn’t allow his children to use phones or tablets until much later. And honestly — look around — it’s not just teens. Many adults are glued to their phones. Women on maternity leave are especially heavy users. No wonder children crave phones — it becomes a cycle. But you can break it.
Interested in the topic? I recommend these two documentaries:
The Social Dilemma — a fascinating documentary about the impact of social media (Netflix)
Fake Famous — a documentary about influencers; it opened my eyes to how artificial the social media world can be (HBO Max)
And the now‑classic book Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport. When you reduce time on social media, you suddenly find time for everything else. It’s unbelievable how much time appears! You can even start decluttering small areas of your home. Before disconnecting, I couldn’t find the time — but this month alone I donated two full IKEA bags to charity and sold several items on Vinted. Check your phone’s screen‑time stats — you’ll likely be shocked.
Allow yourself to pause — step back, give yourself time and energy. For me, that means meditation, yoga, nature walks, creativity, and more in‑person connection. Building better relationships. Professionally, it means not working only online — more consultations and talks. It brings me joy again — which was the purpose of my project from the beginning.
If digital minimalism scares you, try a shorter break first — see what you gain. It may motivate you to rethink your relationship with social media. I did — and it remains one of my best decisions. What will you allow yourself to let go of in 2023? And how do you feel about this topic? Share in the comments.
