A man who deleted social media for years has revealed some of the biggest, life-altering changes he experienced when he ditched the apps.
Matt Spear said goodbye to social media back in 2020 and has never looked back since.
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"It was a total waste of time, I'd just be on there scrolling for no reason, comparing myself to others," he said on YouTube.
"It's a trap, it's a game, you're a rat on a hamster wheel. I finally realised, why am I so worried about other people's lives when I'm literally so unhappy myself?
"I deleted the apps... the other reason I deleted them is because I liked the idea of being a mystery, I liked the idea of disappearing from the internet and reinventing myself."
Matt explained that he's a 'way better version of [himself]' these days, adding: "As soon as I deleted social media, there were no negatives. You will not find a single person tell you that when they deleted social media, their life got worse."
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The YouTuber went on to explain all the big changes he noticed when he finally quit the apps for good.
No more FOMO
Matt explained after he gave up social media he was finally able to focus on himself and 'killed the FOMO' - AKA fear of missing out.
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"I got rid of the fear, who cares what other people are doing? I didn't mind being alone anymore," he said.
"I'm more worried about what I'm doing and what I'm going to accomplish. I genuinely don't care what other people are doing."
Matt explained that if you don't want to delete your accounts completely, it might be worth having a month off to experience the benefits.
More time
Matt believes social media is 'an addiction' and claims he's 'finally free' of constantly checking his phone, which has ultimately given him loads more spare time.
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"I'm free from that," he said.
"My screen time is so low. What is so attractive about your phone now? Not much, there's nothing on your phone.
"... I'm so much happier for it... It's a waste of time, a distraction to keep you stuck, to keep you addicted."
Boosts mental health
Matt says he's noticed a huge improvement in his mental health and happiness since he quit the apps.
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"It improves your mental health because you're not always dialled into your phone, you're just focused on you and how you can better yourself," he said.
"That's all you should be focused on."
Over the last few years, research has indicated that quitting social media can hugely benefit your mental health.
A 2022 study asked 154 participants to stop using social media for a week. Those that did reported significantly reduced anxiety and depression as well as overall greater wellbeing.
Validation
Matt believes after he deleted social media, he found himself no longer seeking validation.
"I was no longer living for other people or going places with the intent of 'oh I've got to find a cool Instagram picture' so people will like me," he explained.
Matt recalled that when he was younger, he'd been to a Celtics game where he sat courtside, but instead of enjoying the game, he spent the whole time trying to work out 'how to get a cool picture'.
"You stop living for other people and seeking so much validation," he added.
"It helped me, it changed me and bettered my life completely."
Topics: YouTube, Social Media
Lucy Devine