My Experience Living Off The Grid

Hello again 😄

Before I write, I want to bring some points to the surface. I have decided to make my posts raw, pure, and unfiltered. This means that I will write out my thoughts, maybe read through it once, and just let it out into the world. No triple checking for spelling mistakes, no grammar corrections, no eliminating and double thinking. The reason I chose to do this is because I feel like sometimes we filter ourselves too much, we write what we want but after dwelling on it for a bit, we chose to back off and not do it in the fear of what people may think or say. There is going to be no space for that here. The best way to connect with people is to be vulnerable and pure, so this is what will be.

Second, everything I write about is my experience, things that I have noticed and been through. I know that we all have different perspectives, opinions, ways of living life. I am also aware that I could be totally wrong in many things, so please tell me your opinions! I would love to hear your way of thinking about the same topics and expand my awareness :) So please take no offense if what I say you completely disagree with, we’re all humans seeing life in different shapes and forms and I’m fully aware of that.

So today, the topic will be living life without Social Media. It’s pretty funny when people find out I don’t have instagram, “you must live under a rock”, “how can you be part of society”, “how are you living?!”. I sincerely appreciate these comments, they make me smile. I know it’s pretty weird, being completely off the grid. But when I hear these reactions, I have a complete sense of reassurance that it is the best thing I’ve done.

So what’s been my experience? It’s pretty funny actually how it happened. My ex and I had just broken up and I was tired of seeing him out, partying with his friends, while I moped at home. And I thought, no more. Deleted my account, and four years later have never looked back.

Now this was my original reason, but the enormous change that occured in my life was completely unexpected. It’s been extraordinary. So what have been the benefits of not having social media?

1. Before, whenever I was at home I’d be looking at what other people were doing instead of focusing on what I WAS DOING. Now, I have learnt to truly appreciate every moment. My relationship with my family has improved 110% as I sit down at the dinner table, talking to my parents for hours about interesting topics. Actually being content and happy to be in their company. At first it was weird because I’d hear about something I wasn’t invited to days after, but instead of spending that night upset looking at the photos, I would not care at all because I knew I spent that night completely content with what I was doing right there and then.
2. My self confidence, self love and happiness went through the roof. Instead of comparing myself with others, I have worked on being a better person. Going for a run or to the gym, reading an awesome and eye opening book, or spending the evening with someone important, completely present.
3. At first I thought I’d miss out on important things, but have come to realise that 95% of the things I would previously look at had no importance with me or my relationships. The other 5% I get told about anyway so I never miss anything!
4. Time seems to last forever, and I’m able to fill my time up with things that bring me great happiness and value. Spending time with my family and friends, doing things for my wellbeing and learning new and interesting topics.

So the question is, would I ever get social media back. No. No frickin way. Yes it is strange to not get the ‘in’ jokes, or to not have heard about a celebrity break up, but the abundance of love, gratitude, peace and happiness that has come into my life after that one day overtakes anything that I may be missing.

I am in no way telling anyone that they should delete their social media, and go off the grid. It is a bit (or very) dramatic. But this is my experience, and if anyone feels like it may help them in a way, then maybe try it for a day!

Thanks for reading once again 💃