This Completely Changed How I Use Social Media

Summary

In this reflective video, Matt recounts his journey of quitting social media for 30 days, inspired by his friend Jason Zook, who regularly disconnects from the platforms. Initially skeptical, Matt discovers the mental clarity and creative renewal that comes with the detox. The experience leads him to re-evaluate his relationship with social media, adopt intentional use, and reduce unnecessary distractions. The video highlights how stepping back can bring new perspective, encourage personal growth, and ultimately, improve productivity and self-awareness in our digital age.

Takeaways

• 📱 Social media can easily take control of your life, making it feel like your identity depends on being constantly active online.
• 🧘 Taking a 30-day break from social media can lead to surprising clarity, creativity, and improved mental well-being.
• 🚫 Fear of missing out or losing business connections is often exaggerated—life and work continue just fine without constant online presence.
• 🔋 Temporary disconnection allows you to recharge mentally, reset your focus, and return with intentionality toward how you use social platforms.
• 🧩 Simple lifestyle changes, like quitting social media, can reveal how habitual and automatic our digital behaviors have become.
• 📅 The experiment inspired further personal growth challenges, encouraging curiosity and self-improvement in other areas of life.
• 📵 After the detox, keeping social media apps off the phone and installing them only when needed helps maintain control and balance.
• 💡 Reducing social media use leads to fewer comparisons with others, lowering negative self-talk and improving self-worth.
• 🧍‍♂️ Physical separation from the phone—such as leaving it in another room—can significantly reduce compulsive checking habits.
• 🎯 The ultimate lesson is to use social media intentionally: as a tool for creation and connection, not as a source of validation or distraction.
• 🌍 Taking breaks from social media won’t make the world stop—everything keeps moving, and you can always come back refreshed.

Q & A

Why did the author initially react negatively to Jason's decision to quit social media for 30 days?

The author initially thought Jason was making a mistake because his business, like the author's, relied heavily on social media. He feared that Jason would lose followers and miss out on valuable connections and inspiration.

What did Jason learn from his repeated social media detoxes?

Jason learned that taking breaks from social media allowed him to regain clarity and creativity. It also helped him take back control over how he used the platforms, rather than letting them control him.

What is the significance of the '30-day social media detox' for the author?

The 30-day detox was the first challenge the author completed on his channel, which led to a series of other experiments. It also helped him realize how much social media had become a distraction and how little he missed it once he stopped.

How did the social media detox affect the author's long-term use of social media?

After the detox, the author stopped keeping social media apps consistently on his phone. He only installs them when needed, sometimes for a few hours or a day, and then deletes them, particularly for apps like Instagram that he finds most addictive.

What change did the author make regarding his Facebook usage after the detox?

The author deleted his public Facebook account and now only uses his private account for Facebook Messenger, which he uses rarely. He found that following high school drama on Facebook wasn’t worth the time or energy.

How did the author’s perception of social media affect his mental health?

The author noticed that social media often triggered negative self-comparisons, especially on platforms like Instagram. By reducing his usage, he was able to combat these feelings of inadequacy and feel less stressed.

What advice does the author offer for those who still feel the urge to check their phones or social media?

The author advises increasing the physical distance from your phone, such as leaving it in another room or your car. This reduces the temptation to check it mindlessly.

Why does the author believe distractions, like social media, can sometimes be beneficial?

The author acknowledges that distractions can be good when we're having a bad day and just need to unwind. However, the problem arises when these distractions become so frequent that they negatively impact other areas of life, like physical health or personal growth.

What lesson did the author learn about comparison and social media?

The author realized that constant exposure to curated, idealized versions of others' lives led to unhealthy comparisons. By reducing social media use, he found it easier to focus on his own progress without being constantly distracted by others.

How does Jason approach social media after his detoxes?

Jason becomes very intentional with his social media use after a detox. He checks Instagram only twice a day, ensuring he controls his usage and doesn't let the platform consume his time or creativity.