I’m genuinely excited about this chapter of social media we’re moving into. For 10-15 years, social media distribution and adoption was very uniform.
Now, as we’re maturing in our relationship with it, there are so many interesting conversations on how to use it intentionally - and in many different ways.
I like this sentiment- “start dreaming of a life without it.” It’s such a good daydream. I have been really trying to convince some of my real life musician friends to channel the energy they put into socials into a newsletter. I actually kind of grieve for the time and artistic energy I lost to socials over the last 10 years, and am pretty convinced I should have focused on my newsletter a long time ago.
I got an email today from a band that was just like BUY ALL OUR ALBUMS. Like, gee… that’s pretty creative, right? Haha and like you say - we allll put so much creative energy into socials over the years, but hey - time to start pulling from that vast archive and re-use some of that material for our email subscribers!
This quote: "It literally adds nothing to my life, other than fleeting moments of "connection" with friends who probably wouldn't contact me if it weren't for the 30 second reels" hurts to read because it is so true and it was one of the last reasons that I held onto social media.
It is terrifying the value that I placed on a crumb of connection that seemed to justify engaging with something that was so damaging to my mental health.
I so relate about the reels Melissa. Since I have been off IG I have much less contact with "friends" but my true connections are more available and more present. Thank you for sharing.
My "favorite" is the nearly automated HAPPY BIRTHDAY DMs on LinkedIn. Like, gee, I can see in my inbox that we've NEVER interacted, but you're going to wish my happy birthday four years straight? Okay!
Sharing my 2 cents as someone working in policy comms...this sh*t is toxic and rewards terrible behavior.
I've been reading a lot of about social media's business model and impact on our mental health. I deleted Insta and Facebook from my phone and am "quiet quitting" Twitter (I sorta need it to follow journalists).
Far be it from me to tell others what to do...but delete these f*cking apps and go for a walk, bake a new recipe, read a book, call an old friend, do some stretching/yoga, plant a small garden, organize your finances so taxes will be easier next year. For God's sake get off these apps.
Hey Seth, great as ever, but just wondering if you think there is a way people can have a healthy relationship with social media - ignore the algorithm AND embrace a community.
For example, your email story above could be applied to getting a DM on Twitter that leads to an amazing collab. I’m part of a podcast network (and I love it!) because I met someone on the socials.
Or am I basically a crack addict shouting about how good dealers are!?! 😂
(Ps… and yes, they all drive me little crazy every now and then, so I completely get your point!)
SOME people can have a healthy relationship with social media, same as some people can have a healthy relationship with alcohol, etc. But if you can't... if you can't touch it without going down a spiral, then it's best to leave it alone I think.
And the part about meeting people randomly because of social media - I'd met several amazing people that way, too - of course! BUT it's a big world. You can meet lots of people in lots of different ways. So just because you might not be on social media (like me) doesn't mean you won't meet new people! I meet new people all the time haha
Thanks Seth, that makes sense. I’m certainly not convinced my relationship with socials is that healthy (too much doom scrolling and checking first thing in the morning for no reason!!) but it has been useful as well.
That said, completely agree that real life liaisons are not only possible but the best!
As Marshall McLuhan said, many decades ago, "The media is the message." Social media is (?are) a tool that has taken control of the tool user. We have let it. Another aphorism: "To a man whose only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." It's up to us to choose. Substack, for now, seems to be a refreshing take on social media. Almost all of the conversations that I have enjoyed in the months of my joining have been intelligent and civil. I have yet to come across the rudeness and trolling of other sites. Most of all, it's controllable by the user. As I can see, the algorithms haven't taken over. I hope it stays that way.
I came here with 19 subscribers. Had around 2600 Twitter followers (was on there since 2006), but only got like 30 people to ever click over and subscribe. IG was the same... 600 followers or so, maybe 20 people subscribed. I deleted both accounts in the last year, along with LinkedIn.
Everyone's story is different - some people find success from moving people from social media to Substack, others (like me) don't, but I'm approaching 3,000 subscribers now, all from the Substack network and recommendations.
And while Substack Notes IS social media, it can lead to email subscribers a lot easier than Twitter, Threads, etc.... and that's the value for me. If things ever go sideways, I can export my email subscribers and go elsewhere.
the algorithm on substack is algorithm-ing because I deleted social apps from my phone about 2 weeks ago and I have never felt better
Let's just call them Muskerberg
“Worry less about being “forgotten,” and envision a future when you re-find yourself.”
Damn. That is one hell of a wake up call. Thanks for sharing this.
You’re very welcome!
I’m genuinely excited about this chapter of social media we’re moving into. For 10-15 years, social media distribution and adoption was very uniform.
Now, as we’re maturing in our relationship with it, there are so many interesting conversations on how to use it intentionally - and in many different ways.
Such a great piece. I love your language of creating a social media escape plan! YES. And thank you for including my essay, deeply grateful.
I like this sentiment- “start dreaming of a life without it.” It’s such a good daydream. I have been really trying to convince some of my real life musician friends to channel the energy they put into socials into a newsletter. I actually kind of grieve for the time and artistic energy I lost to socials over the last 10 years, and am pretty convinced I should have focused on my newsletter a long time ago.
I got an email today from a band that was just like BUY ALL OUR ALBUMS. Like, gee… that’s pretty creative, right? Haha and like you say - we allll put so much creative energy into socials over the years, but hey - time to start pulling from that vast archive and re-use some of that material for our email subscribers!
This quote: "It literally adds nothing to my life, other than fleeting moments of "connection" with friends who probably wouldn't contact me if it weren't for the 30 second reels" hurts to read because it is so true and it was one of the last reasons that I held onto social media.
It is terrifying the value that I placed on a crumb of connection that seemed to justify engaging with something that was so damaging to my mental health.
I so relate about the reels Melissa. Since I have been off IG I have much less contact with "friends" but my true connections are more available and more present. Thank you for sharing.
RIGHT???! That quote knocked me out.
My "favorite" is the nearly automated HAPPY BIRTHDAY DMs on LinkedIn. Like, gee, I can see in my inbox that we've NEVER interacted, but you're going to wish my happy birthday four years straight? Okay!
Resonated with everything you shared! ❤️
Thanks for the tag! +1 for doing what makes you feel good!
Sharing my 2 cents as someone working in policy comms...this sh*t is toxic and rewards terrible behavior.
I've been reading a lot of about social media's business model and impact on our mental health. I deleted Insta and Facebook from my phone and am "quiet quitting" Twitter (I sorta need it to follow journalists).
Far be it from me to tell others what to do...but delete these f*cking apps and go for a walk, bake a new recipe, read a book, call an old friend, do some stretching/yoga, plant a small garden, organize your finances so taxes will be easier next year. For God's sake get off these apps.
Hey Seth, great as ever, but just wondering if you think there is a way people can have a healthy relationship with social media - ignore the algorithm AND embrace a community.
For example, your email story above could be applied to getting a DM on Twitter that leads to an amazing collab. I’m part of a podcast network (and I love it!) because I met someone on the socials.
Or am I basically a crack addict shouting about how good dealers are!?! 😂
(Ps… and yes, they all drive me little crazy every now and then, so I completely get your point!)
SOME people can have a healthy relationship with social media, same as some people can have a healthy relationship with alcohol, etc. But if you can't... if you can't touch it without going down a spiral, then it's best to leave it alone I think.
And the part about meeting people randomly because of social media - I'd met several amazing people that way, too - of course! BUT it's a big world. You can meet lots of people in lots of different ways. So just because you might not be on social media (like me) doesn't mean you won't meet new people! I meet new people all the time haha
Thanks Seth, that makes sense. I’m certainly not convinced my relationship with socials is that healthy (too much doom scrolling and checking first thing in the morning for no reason!!) but it has been useful as well.
That said, completely agree that real life liaisons are not only possible but the best!
well socials can't be ALL bad - it's designed to keep you coming back, esp once it gets its hooks in you with the DMs and all that!
As Marshall McLuhan said, many decades ago, "The media is the message." Social media is (?are) a tool that has taken control of the tool user. We have let it. Another aphorism: "To a man whose only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." It's up to us to choose. Substack, for now, seems to be a refreshing take on social media. Almost all of the conversations that I have enjoyed in the months of my joining have been intelligent and civil. I have yet to come across the rudeness and trolling of other sites. Most of all, it's controllable by the user. As I can see, the algorithms haven't taken over. I hope it stays that way.
Thanks for the mention, Seth! It's definitely time to reconsider my relationship with social media.
Yesss. You don't have to burn everything to the ground in one fell swoop. Even just deleting the apps on your phone is a start, you know?
Exactly! Small steps.
I can’t imagine how it’s possible to be a successful Substacker without using social media. Given that substack IS social media lol.
I love the ideas of ping minimalism, feed curation, media hygiene, and checking in with your body to make sure your tech use is serving you, though.
I hope you can inspire people to get of X/TikTok/FB/Insta too. Those are the hard drugs to Substack’s cannabis.
I came here with 19 subscribers. Had around 2600 Twitter followers (was on there since 2006), but only got like 30 people to ever click over and subscribe. IG was the same... 600 followers or so, maybe 20 people subscribed. I deleted both accounts in the last year, along with LinkedIn.
Everyone's story is different - some people find success from moving people from social media to Substack, others (like me) don't, but I'm approaching 3,000 subscribers now, all from the Substack network and recommendations.
And while Substack Notes IS social media, it can lead to email subscribers a lot easier than Twitter, Threads, etc.... and that's the value for me. If things ever go sideways, I can export my email subscribers and go elsewhere.
Right - it's not impossible! Maybe harder, but hey, being on social media is hard, too. I wrote a bit about getting "awareness off our plate" right here: https://socialmediaescapeclub.substack.com/p/getting-awareness-off-my-plate-is