Have you ever felt like your phone is controlling you instead of the other way around? Or maybe you’ve spent hours crafting the perfect Instagram post, only to feel like no one even saw it? If you’ve ever felt frustrated, overwhelmed, or even a little trapped by social media, you’re not alone. Today, I’m here to talk about something that’s been bugging me – and maybe you too. It’s time to break up with Meta (you know, Facebook and Instagram).

Let’s be real: social media has become a huge part of our lives. But have you ever stopped to think about how much power we’ve handed over to these platforms? It’s like we’re frogs in a pot of water, and the temperature’s been slowly rising. Suddenly, we’re boiling, and we didn’t even notice it happening. Well, I’m here to tell you: it’s time to jump out of the pot.

Remember When Instagram Was Fun?

I’ll never forget the early days of Instagram. It was just a simple photo-sharing app. My first post? A black-and-white photo of snowy treetops. Then came my red winter boots, and finally, a gargoyle on my steps. It was innocent. It was fun. You followed your friends, and you actually saw their posts in chronological order. No algorithms, no ads, no pressure.

Fast forward to today, and it’s a completely different story. Instagram (and Facebook) have become these massive, all-consuming entities. We’ve been led to believe that our businesses need them to survive. But let me tell you something: that’s utter horseshit.

Do We Really Need Meta?

Here’s the truth: most of my business doesn’t come from Instagram or Facebook. In fact, I’ve only gotten about three referrals from Instagram in my entire career. The vast majority of my clients find me through word of mouth or Google. That’s right: good old-fashioned SEO. If you’re not familiar with SEO (search engine optimization), it’s basically how you make your website show up higher in Google searches. And guess what? It works.

So, why are we spending so much time and energy on platforms that don’t actually help us? It’s because we’ve been conditioned to believe we have to. But here’s the thing: we don’t.

My Journey to Divesting from Meta

I’ve started taking steps to break free from Meta. I’ve already stopped using Facebook for my business, except for two photography groups I really value. I’m not fully off Instagram yet, but I’m questioning why it feels so hard to leave. Is it because my business relies on it? Nope. It’s because I’ve been led to believe it does.

I’ve realized how deeply Meta has embedded itself into how I communicate and run my business. And honestly? It feels gross. It feels violating. I didn’t even notice it happening until I took a step back.

What You Can Do Right Now

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or enslaved by social media, here are a few steps you can take to start taking back your power. These are practical, actionable tips that can help you regain control and rethink how you use these platforms.

• Turn Off Notifications

This is a small but powerful step. Notifications are designed to grab your attention and pull you back into the app. Every time your phone buzzes with a new like, comment, or tag, it’s like a little dopamine hit that keeps you coming back for more. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to respond right away.

Turning off notifications gives you the power to decide when you want to engage with social media, rather than letting it dictate your day. For example, I’ve shut off all my notifications, and it’s been a game-changer. Now, I only check my phone when I want to, not because it’s demanding my attention.

Try it for a week. Turn off notifications for Instagram, Facebook, and any other apps that constantly interrupt you. You might be surprised at how much more present and focused you feel.

• Check Your Insights

If you’re using Instagram for your business, this is a must. Go into your settings and look at your insights. This is where you can see how many people are actually seeing your posts. Spoiler alert: it’s probably a lot lower than you think.

For me, only about 3% of my followers see my posts. For some people, it’s as low as 0.5%. That means if you have 1,000 followers, only 5 to 30 people are seeing your content. That’s a harsh reality, but it’s also a wake-up call.

Why are we spending so much time creating content for platforms that aren’t even showing it to our audience? Checking your insights can help you see the truth and decide if it’s worth your time and energy.

• Do an Audit

This is where you take a hard look at how much time and energy you’re putting into Meta and what you’re actually getting out of it. Start by asking yourself these questions:

• How much of my business comes from Meta? If you’re like me and only a tiny fraction of your clients come from Instagram or Facebook, it might be time to rethink your strategy.

• How much time am I spending on these platforms? Track your time for a week. How many hours are you scrolling, posting, and engaging? Be honest with yourself.

• What’s my return on investment (ROI)? Compare the time and effort you’re putting in with the results you’re getting. If you’re spending 10 hours a week on Instagram but only getting one or two clients a year, is it really worth it?

Doing this audit can help you see the bigger picture and make more intentional decisions about how you use social media.

• Be Intentional

This is the most important step. Ask yourself: Why am I using Meta? Is it because I genuinely enjoy it, or is it because of FOMO (fear of missing out)?

For a long time, I stayed on Instagram because I was afraid of missing out on opportunities. But when I really thought about it, I realized that most of my business comes from other sources. Staying on Instagram out of fear wasn’t serving me.

If you’re going to use these platforms, do it because you want to, not because you feel like you have to. Be intentional about how you use them. For example, maybe you only use Instagram to connect with friends or follow activists and causes you care about. That’s a valid reason to stay. But if you’re only there because you’re afraid of missing out, it’s worth asking yourself if that’s how you want to live.

The Case for Staying (Sort Of)

Now, I’m not saying social media is all bad. There are some great things about it. You can connect with friends, discover new voices, and support causes you care about. For example, I follow a lot of activists and important voices that I wouldn’t want to lose touch with.

But here’s the key: be intentional. If you’re going to use these platforms, do it because you want to, not because you feel like you have to.

My Rallying Cry

Friends, we don’t have to hand over our power to these platforms. We don’t have to play by their rules. It’s time to take a stand, no matter how small your steps might feel. Whether it’s turning off notifications, doing an audit, or just being more mindful about how you use social media, every little bit helps.

If you’re ready to join me in this journey, let’s do it together. And if you need help with SEO or building a business that doesn’t rely on Meta, check out my Storyteller School. We start on February 18, and I’d love to have you join us.

Before you go, if you’ve gotten anything out of this, take a second to rate this podcast. It helps more people find it, and it means the world to me.

Alright, that’s it for today. Remember: you don’t have to die in the boiling water. Jump out of the pot, take back your power, and let’s build something better together.

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