Why I Stopped Using Social Media for 13 Years — And Why I’m Back Now

Thirteen years is a long time to step away from something that so many people use every day. But for me, stepping away from social media wasn’t just a break—it was essential for my mental health and personal growth.

Back when I was in high school, before we really even had a word for it, I experienced what we now call cyberbullying. My classmates would post things that were meant to hurt and humiliate, but at the time, no one really recognized it as bullying. It was just dismissed as “kids being kids,” but the impact it had on me was deep and lasting.

Social media also became a constant source of comparison. I was always measuring my life against someone else’s highlight reel, and that is incredibly toxic for your mental health. I wasn’t present in my own life because I was too busy looking at someone else’s. Every post, every scroll, just pulled me further away from appreciating what I had right in front of me.

Everything changed when I met my husband. I fell hard in love, and for the first time, I felt complete without the need for online validation. When we moved to Austin, I wanted a fresh start, and part of that meant leaving social media behind. Not using it gave me the space to build a life that felt authentic and grounded, without the noise and pressure of the online world.

For 13 years, I stayed away. And during that time, I grew in ways I never could have imagined. I finished my bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation with a minor in English and a specialization in Deaf Studies, then went on to earn my master’s in library science and educational technology. I became a certified Pilates teacher. I married the love of my life, and together we built a beautiful family—I’m now a proud mom of two, which has been one of the most rewarding roles of my life. And now, in this new chapter, I’ve come to see how social media can actually be a useful tool. It helps me connect with other women who are walking the same path—women who understand the joys and challenges of motherhood, homemaking, and all the layers of personal growth in between.

I also wrote a book, and let’s be honest, social media is a fantastic way to promote creative work and share it with the world. But here’s the biggest difference now: I’m not coming back to social media to seek approval. I’m not counting likes or chasing comments. I have a solid and loving foundation around me now. Whether someone likes what I post doesn’t affect me. My goal isn’t to get people to like me, my goal is to show up again after years of hiding. My goal is to share my book, connect with kindred spirits, and invite people into my world because I’m not afraid anymore.

The judgment of others doesn’t change how I feel about myself or my life. I love my life. I feel immensely blessed every single day.

So yes, I’m back on social media, but this time, on my own terms.