Taking a break from social media: 19 pieces of advice from others

Harnessing the wisdom of seasoned professionals, this article offers a pragmatic guide for those seeking a hiatus from social media. It presents a compilation of expert strategies for a meaningful and restorative break. By exploring these curated insights, readers can discover the transformative impact of stepping back from their online presence.

MORE NEWS: Phoenix bucket list: 25 things you must do

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Want more news like this? Get our free newsletter here

  • Be Intentional About Your Social Media Break
  • Approach Break as Opportunity to Reset
  • Take Break with Curiosity, Not Deprivation
  • Breaks Reveal Blind Spots and Bring Peace
  • Treat Break as Experiment, Not Statement
  • Deleting Apps Stops Habitual Social Media Use
  • Track Mood Before and After Social Media Use
  • Start Small with Gradual Social Media Reduction
  • Make Break Permanent if You Don’t Miss It
  • Celebrate Small Wins During Social Media Break
  • Replace Scrolling with Meaningful Activities
  • Consider Professional Impact of Social Media Break
  • Use Break to Dive into New Hobbies
  • Set Specific Time Frames for Social Media Break
  • Announce Social Media Break Before Shutting Down
  • Trust Instinct to Step Back from Social Media
  • Taking Break is Empowering Act of Self-Love
  • Honor Need for Real-Life Connections

Be Intentional About Your Social Media Break

Taking a break from personal social media can be a game-changer for your mindset and productivity. My advice? Be intentional about why you’re stepping away and set clear boundaries for your return. Social media is a tool—when used mindfully, it can be incredibly powerful, but when it starts consuming more than it contributes, a reset can bring a fresh perspective.

From my own experience, stepping back allowed me to reconnect with creative thinking and long-term strategy. Instead of being caught in the daily noise, I was able to focus on building deeper connections and refining Sociallyin’s vision. It also reinforced an important lesson: social media should work for you, not the other way around.

If you’re thinking about taking a break, don’t be afraid to log out—but also use that time to reflect on how you want to engage with these platforms moving forward. The most impactful presence online comes from those who use it with purpose.

Keith Kakadia, CEO and Founder, Sociallyin

Approach Break as Opportunity to Reset

If you’re considering taking a break from social media, the best thing you can do is approach it as a genuine opportunity to reset and gain perspective. Social media use becomes a daily habit for most of us, and we rarely realize how much mental space and energy it consumes until we actively take a step back.

I took a deliberate break myself, and what surprised me most wasn’t just having more free time; it was the mental clarity it brought. Stepping away gave me the space to reflect on my core values, goals, and how I actually want to spend my days. Without the constant noise, opinions, and comparisons, I started reconnecting with what genuinely matters to me: deepening real-world relationships, investing more time into my business, and eliminating influences that didn’t align with the person I truly wanted to become.

If you’re hesitating to do it, think of it as a personal reset; an intentional way to reconnect with your authentic self, clarify your priorities, and become more mindful about how you use your time and energy moving forward.

Bayu Prihandito, Psychology Consultant, Life Coach, Founder, Life Architekture

Take Break with Curiosity, Not Deprivation

If you’re considering a break from personal social media, my biggest piece of advice is to approach it with curiosity rather than a sense of deprivation. Think of it as an experiment in reclaiming your time and attention. It’s not about missing out; it’s about discovering what you gain when you step away from the constant scroll.

Here’s what you need to know: from my own experience, I learned just how much mental space social media occupied. It wasn’t just the time spent scrolling, but the constant background noise of comparisons, opinions, and curated realities. When I took a break, I found myself more present in my daily life. I noticed the small details I’d been missing, had deeper conversations, and rediscovered hobbies I’d neglected. What’s more, the urge to check my phone lessened over time. It was a reminder that our attention is a precious resource, and we have the power to choose where we direct it.

Cindy Cavoto, Founder, CindyCavoto.com

Breaks Reveal Blind Spots and Bring Peace

Breaks reveal the blind spots.

When you step away, you realize how much of your self-worth, your comparisons, and your sense of urgency were tied to what others were posting.

I backed away during a busy season of my life, thinking I’d miss out. What I found instead was peace I hadn’t experienced in years. More time for reading, for family conversations, for concentration at work. Even food tasted different—like I was finally present again.

I still remember one afternoon when I was sitting outside with my son, no phone in sight. We were just watching ants move a piece of bread down the sidewalk. It was nothing. But it was everything. I hadn’t felt that kind of quiet joy in a while.

When I came back, I wasn’t scrolling in the same way. It’s as if I’d recalibrated what was worth my attention.

The break didn’t make me anti-social media—it just made me more selective. I stopped measuring my life in likes. Now I measure it in moments like that one with my kid—unfiltered, unnoticed, and unforgettable.

Peter Lewis, Chief Marketing Officer, Strategic Pete

Treat Break as Experiment, Not Statement

If you are considering stepping away from personal social media, here is what I would suggest: approach it as an experiment rather than a statement. I tried this myself by deleting every app for thirty days without announcing it to anyone. What I noticed first was not peace or clarity, but boredom. Boredom was the doorway. That empty space, where scrolling used to be, started to fill up with quieter activities—phone calls, long walks, sketching, even just staring out the window. You cannot plan what will emerge there. You have to leave the room first.

What I learned surprised me. I was not missing connection. I was missing my own internal rhythm. Social media had become a way to fill time that could have been spent restoring attention or recovering energy. One evening, I realized I had spent an entire day without thinking about how I appeared from the outside. That felt rare. That felt like coming home. My advice: take the break without a goal, and observe what surfaces when the noise fades. The most valuable signals are the ones that emerge when no one is watching.

Adam Klein, Certified Integral Coach® and Managing Director, New Ventures West

Deleting Apps Stops Habitual Social Media Use

Taking a break from personal social media can be refreshing. I’ve done it myself to clear my mind and focus on real-life connections. One thing I’d recommend is deleting the apps from your phone entirely. Not just logging out—actually removing them. It stops the muscle-memory habit of opening them without thinking.

What I learned is that once you’re off social media for a while, you realize how much time you’ve been giving away. Instead, you can use that time to work on creative projects or simply be present with family. I felt more energized and focused, especially with my kids. It’s like giving yourself permission to reset.

Natalia Lavrenenko, UGC manager/Marketing manager, Rathly

Track Mood Before and After Social Media Use

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I’ve helped many patients through social media breaks, and I’ve found that tracking your mood before and after social media use for a week can help you understand its real impact on your mental health. When I did this exercise myself, I noticed I felt more anxious after scrolling at night, so I started keeping my phone in another room after 8 PM, which dramatically improved my sleep quality and morning mindset.

Lori Leonard, Chief Medical Officer, Mindset & Body Reset

Start Small with Gradual Social Media Reduction

Social media has its ups and downs, and I’ve personally taken breaks to re-center myself. My advice to anyone thinking about taking a break is to start small. It’s easy to feel like you have to unplug completely, but a gradual reduction is often more manageable and gives you time to adjust.

What I learned from my own experience is that social media is addictive in a way that we don’t often realize. When I took my first break, I noticed how much of my attention was divided across multiple platforms. The truth is, when I reduced my use, I felt more present, less anxious, and more productive at work. And here’s a quirky little tip: use a timer or reminder app to gently nudge you when it’s time to log off. It’s a small act that makes a huge difference.

Reilly James Renwick, Chief Marketing Officer, Pragmatic Mortgage Lending

Make Break Permanent if You Don’t Miss It

My advice would be: if you can get through a break without missing social media, make it permanent. Get out of the game. Someone wiser than me suggested I do this 3 years ago, and I haven’t regretted it. The freedom of not being chained to your screen is emancipating. It made me realize I was chasing affirmation, rather than enjoying what I already have that didn’t need affirming. Any social media presence I have now is managed by one of my team members with the necessary skills and patience.

Simon Stapleton, CEO and CTO, Truthsayers Neurotech

Celebrate Small Wins During Social Media Break

If you are taking a break from personal social media, do not forget to celebrate the small wins along the way. It might sound simple, but marking those little moments builds momentum. I remember deciding to take a full week off Instagram during a really busy stretch. Day one felt strange. By day three, I caught myself reaching for my phone out of habit. So I made a rule for myself: if I could make it five days without checking, I’d treat myself to a fancy coffee from my favorite spot. That tiny reward turned into something I actually looked forward to more than scrolling.

Spencer Romenco, Chief Growth Strategist, Growth Spurt

Replace Scrolling with Meaningful Activities

Taking a break from personal social media can be a powerful reset, but the key is to replace passive scrolling with intentional engagement in meaningful activities. From my experience, the biggest lesson was realizing how much mental bandwidth was freed up when I stepped away from constant notifications. Instead of consuming endless content, I redirected that energy into refining my skills, building deeper professional connections, and focusing on long-term goals.

The fear of missing out quickly fades when you realize that social media is just a tool—not a necessity. If you’re considering a break, use it as a chance to reconnect with your purpose, engage more deeply with the real world, and return with a clearer, more strategic approach to how you use digital platforms.

Sahil Sachdeva, CEO & Founder, Level Up PR

Consider Professional Impact of Social Media Break

When you’re taking a break, consider how your professional life will be affected. I have a job where I have to go on social media for background checks or networking sometimes. By putting myself on a strict, no-use policy, I made my job and my team’s job a bit more difficult. This, in turn, made my social media break more stressful than relaxing. One workaround for such a situation would be to create an account for professional purposes only and put in safeguards to restrict the use to work-related tasks.

Manasvini Krishna, Founder, Boss as a Service

Use Break to Dive into New Hobbies

My best tip is to use your break from personal social media as an opportunity to dive into something new and exciting. Aim to use this time to explore different topics, industries, or hobbies that you have always been curious about but never had the time to pursue. The time saved from social media is an opportunity. Pick a micro-skill to learn during your break, such as basic photography, a new language, or improving your cooking skills. The progress you make adds purpose to your time away.

I personally utilize this golden time learning creative techniques of photography and videography, practicing AI programming languages such as Python and R, exploring new business models for my company, and even taking online courses on emerging technologies like blockchain and virtual reality. This has made my break more productive and opened up new opportunities for personal and professional growth. According to The Washington Post, this is known as the “100-hour rule,” where 100 hours of dedicated practice can make anyone an expert in a particular skill.

Stefan Van der Vlag, AI Expert/Founder, Clepher

Set Specific Time Frames for Social Media Break

I’ve done it multiple times over the years, and it has always been great. Vanishing for a while allows you to sit back and think a lot about certain things. You realize that the things or people you’ve worried about so much might not be as worried about you, or maybe not at all. Life moves on, with or without you. And so do people.

The first time I did it, I realized how much I had ignored myself, my own needs, and well-being, all these years in the process of keeping everyone else happy and cared for. That’s when I started giving myself some love too.

So, I’ll be giving advice for both kinds of people: the ones for whom it’s hard, and the ones for whom it’s easy.

If it’s hard for you, and you’ve been consistently using social media for a very long time, I’d advise setting specific time frames in the beginning. It could be a week or a few days without social media. During this time, enjoy other activities or hobbies you might have. You can also use apps or website blockers. One thing I’ve done for years now is turn off the notifications. When you don’t see that red button on the side of apps all the time, you’re less tempted to open them again and again.

And for those for whom it’s easier, just delete the apps. Deactivating is an option too, but deleting is better in my experience.

One thing most people may experience in the beginning is feeling lonely at times. You might miss out on a lot of things, like new social trends or news that doesn’t make it to the news channels or papers. But I can assure you the positives are greater than all the downsides of not using social media.

David Magnani, Managing Partner, M&A Executive Search

Announce Social Media Break Before Shutting Down

I’ve taken a year off social media to free up time. For anyone considering taking a break, I’d recommend posting an announcement on each platform before shutting down.

I shut down my social media accounts one night without planning. After a couple of weeks, I received calls and emails asking if I was okay or if someone had offended me. In hindsight, I can see that my sudden lack of posting or responses could be worrying, but it didn’t cross my mind at the time.

Before taking your break, compose a brief but not-too-detailed post letting folks know you’re switching off for a while to focus on other things. It can be as simple as, “Hey, I’m taking a break from social media to reconnect with life.” Let people know you’re fine and just focusing on real-life activities.

Amy Bos, Co-Founder & COO, Mediumchat Group

Trust Instinct to Step Back from Social Media

We were never meant to be content machines, constantly performing for the consumption of others. If you feel the urge to step back from social media, trust that instinct—you don’t need permission or a perfect reason. Set your account to private, archive posts, only share with a handful of close friends, or just walk away entirely. You don’t owe the algorithm—or your followers—anything. Social media should serve you, not the other way around. If it starts to feel like a drain, it’s okay to unplug and protect your peace.

Vivian Chen, Founder & CEO, Rise Jobs

Taking Break is Empowering Act of Self-Love

Leaving social media alone is an empowering act of self-love. The onslaught of information, views, and presented perfection instills stress and distraction. If you’re weighing taking a break, do it for real. Remove apps, mute notifications, and establish an unequivocal deadline. Without the endless scroll, you’ve regained mental lucidity, attention, and better proximity to the current moment.

In my own life, the initial few days were strange—something felt absent. The desire to scroll through notifications was still there, but soon, silence quietly replaced the din. Without the need to broadcast or consume updates, I was more present in what was around me. Discussions were richer. Being present increased. It is proven through research that too much social media usage brings about heightened anxiety and diminished attention span. Taking a break enables the nervous system to reboot, and balance and being present are restored.

Social media gives an illusion of connectedness but ends up making us lonely. Genuine relationships flourish through shared moments, not comments or likes. Being offline results in more creativity, improved sleep, and improved emotional health. If a break seems too daunting, begin with little things—log off for a weekend or schedule screen-free times every day. The real world is more profound, lovely, and fulfilling than anything that can be found on a screen.

Timothy Burgin, Founder and Executive Director, Yoga Basics

Honor Need for Real-Life Connections

Listen to your inner voice and honor your need for real-life connections. It is perfectly okay to step away from social media when the online noise starts to feel overwhelming or stressful. You don’t have to justify your actions to anyone. After all, you are the only one who understands how you feel.

For me, there were times when I felt constantly hooked to my phone. I even skipped meals and forgot to accomplish important tasks. It didn’t take long to realize that this habit/addiction was draining my creativity and positivity.

So, I decided to schedule a few days off each week. I intentionally disconnected from social media and switched off my phone for two days a week to focus on activities that recharged me. I started spending more time with my family and enjoying nature. I also started reading books during my free time.

One thing I discovered is that these breaks restored my energy and gave me a fresh perspective on my personal and professional life. It felt like hitting a reset button. When I returned, I was more inspired, more engaged, and energized. Even my colleagues at work noticed the difference.

Therefore, if you are considering taking a break from social media, do it without guilt. Prioritize your personal well-being and focus on things that matter. You will reap the benefits in the long run.

Zoe Rice, Marketing Manager, 3 Men Movers

Related Articles