It’s been three months since I decided to step away from Meta’s ecosystem — no Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp. It started as an experiment, but quickly turned into something much deeper: a reset of how I interact with digital life, and a reevaluation of what I value in online communication and social platforms.
Here’s what I’ve learned — the good, the frustrating, and where I see things going.
What I Gained
1. More mental space
Without Instagram, there’s simply less noise. No more infinite Stories or algorithmic timelines nudging me into distraction. I don’t miss the doom-scrolling or the feeling that I always had to post something impressive or polished.
2. Control over communication
I didn’t think I’d survive without WhatsApp — but truth is, I didn’t miss it. My friends and family all moved with me to Signal or iMessage and for now, I’ve set it up on my own server with an automatic reply telling people I prefer Signal, iMessage, or SMS. This way, the line stays open without keeping the app on my phone. It’s not perfect, but it helps me stay in control.
3. Discovery of better platforms
I’ve been spending time on Bluesky, which recently hit 36 million users and is growing fast. The platform is actively evolving, and its open protocol gives me hope for a healthier digital space.
For photos, I’m using Bluesky with the Flashes app for iOS, where I’ve uploaded my old Instagram shots. It’s simple, fast, and chronological — the way photo sharing should be. The downside? Most of my friends aren’t on there (yet), so engagement is minimal.
What I Miss
1. Access to exclusive content
Some niche communities or events only post updates on Instagram or Facebook. In a few cases, I wanted information that was only accessible by logging in — a frustrating reminder of how closed and centralized these platforms are.
2. Community connections
I’ll be going back to Rockstar CrossFit soon, and unfortunately, the entire Rockstar community still communicates via Instagram and WhatsApp. That’s a challenge. I’m not planning to reinstall either, but I’ll need to find workarounds or risk feeling disconnected.
3. Discovery and randomness
Instagram’s algorithm, for all its flaws, did occasionally surface interesting content — music, local events, visual inspiration. Alternatives haven’t quite caught up in that regard, at least not yet.
The Broader Picture
Zooming out, it’s clear I’m not the only one asking these questions.
We’re living in a time when more people are becoming aware of Big Tech’s influence — not just for personal well-being, but due to broader ethical and geopolitical concerns. From Trump tariffs to growing economic instability, there’s renewed scrutiny of U.S. tech giants and the global systems they quietly dominate.
And now, the latest bombshell:
Meta will begin using all public user content — posts, photos, messages — to train its AI models. And you’re automatically opted in.
[Source: TechCrunch]
Let that sink in. Unless you live in one of the few regions where opting out is allowed, Meta can now take your content and feed it into its AI, whether you like it or not. You didn’t agree to help build their machine — but unless you act, you’re doing exactly that.
This is exactly the problem with centralized platforms:
You don’t own your content. You’re not in control of how it’s used. And now, it’s being repurposed for goals you didn’t consent to — with no transparency or fairness.
Here in Europe, there’s at least some pushback.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) are landmark laws aimed at holding Big Tech accountable, increasing transparency, and giving users more control. Regulators are starting to act — with real consequences for companies that abuse their dominance.
Read more on Reuters →
But regulation moves slowly. And people are still locked into the social loops of Instagram and WhatsApp — apps deeply embedded in daily life. Most won’t leave unless their entire network leaves too.
That’s why platforms like Bluesky or Signal still feel small. But the foundations are being laid. Change never starts with the masses — it starts with individuals who care enough to move first.
And that’s us.
Final Thoughts
These three months have shown me that it’s possible — and empowering — to step away from the mainstream and reclaim some digital autonomy. I’ve had to get creative, stay patient, and let go of certain conveniences. But I’ve also rediscovered what real connection feels like — less filtered, more intentional.
If you’re reading this and thinking about making a similar shift: do it. Even if just for a few weeks. You might be surprised by what you don’t miss — and what you gain in return.
Let’s keep pushing for healthier platforms. Let’s build and support the alternatives. And let’s remind each other: we can choose a better digital life.