Temporarily Close Your X Account – You Won’t Regret It! | Note

Having once been an avid follower of Marie Le Conte, also known as the Young Vulgarian, on X, I approached her recent column about leaving the platform with a sense of deep understanding, empathy, and a moment of self-reflection. Her piece titled “To anybody still using X: sexual abuse content is the final straw, it’s time to leave,” published on January 12, profoundly resonated with my own experiences.

My journey on X, previously known as Twitter, began in 2007 when I stumbled across a Guardian article discussing the next big websites. While many of those platforms have faded into obscurity, I was captivated by X’s potential. Feeling restless in my university halls, I decided to dive in, thinking it would be engaging.

Back in those early days, the global feed offered a fascinating sight—tweets from around the world appearing just seconds apart. I distinctly remember having conversations with a cat-lover from the United States, our exchanges flowing smoothly, sometimes with no other posts interrupting our dialogue. It was a simpler time, where the intimacy of connection felt tangible.

As the years rolled on, I carefully refined my following list. It evolved into a crucial resource for me. I frequently shared compelling policy blogs and academic articles at work, which helped me make strides in my career. It wasn’t just a social platform; it was a treasure trove of information—whether it was a breathtaking football goal or real-time updates about train delays. I often prided myself on my ability to navigate the platform, even pulling off some tweets that caused public relations headaches for various companies, compelling their customer service teams to respond swiftly.

Or at least, I convinced myself that it was an invaluable tool. Recently, however, I began to recognize the toll that doom-scrolling had taken on my mental health. Just as Marie pointed out, I had slipped into a cycle of chasing dopamine hits, scrolling endlessly through a feed filled with distressing content. After the introduction of Grok, which enabled the abuse of vulnerable groups, a friend posed a pivotal question: Why was I still on this platform? My partner had been questioning my commitment to X for years. My initial reasons of “for work, football, and train updates” turned into a fragile facade that felt increasingly insincere.

Thus, last Wednesday marked a significant turning point for me; I deactivated my account. The decision felt monumental, and I found myself dreading how I would feel the following day. I shared my decision excitedly with different groups of friends and my partner, receiving an overwhelming amount of support. Many praised my choice, suggesting it would be a positive step for my mental health. Surprisingly, after this outpouring of encouragement, I found myself feeling lighter and more at ease.

As the days passed, I realized I don’t even miss the platform. It’s as if my time there was part of a bizarre dream that slowly morphed into a nightmare. Upon reflection, I began to understand just how insidious my attachment to the platform had become.

This journey of self-discovery has compelled me to examine the emotional and psychological implications of being attached to social media platforms. I can’t help but wonder if others extract as much from platforms like X as they once thought. Is that fleeting sense of engagement worth the negative impact on our mental wellbeing? For me, stepping away was not just about disassociating from a platform; it was about reclaiming my time, my focus, and, ultimately, my peace of mind.

Marie Le Conte’s insights echo in my mind as I navigate this new chapter. It’s refreshing to think about the freedom to consume information and engage with the world differently, without the blaring distractions that platforms like X often bring. A new sense of clarity and purpose is emerging as I reflect on how this change aligns with the life I wish to lead.

For anyone still caught in the web of these platforms, I would encourage a moment to pause and consider: What role does this platform play in your life? Are you genuinely benefiting from its offerings, or are you simply on a hamster wheel of endless scrolling? There’s a world outside the confines of social media, and it might just be waiting for you to explore it beyond the confines of 280 characters. Remember, it’s never too late to carve your own path, away from the noise.

In stepping away, I’ve discovered a newfound appreciation for real-world connections and the rich tapestry of experiences waiting to unfold beyond my screen. It’s a liberating feeling—one I wish for anyone still fighting that internal battle about whether to stay or leave.

Sam Nair
Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear