Can we share and connect online, without social media?

Social media has become more and more inhabitable in the last years. Do you remember when the only downsides were FOMO and comparing yourself to others?

Now scrolling through social media is like swimming in a sea of ads, videos disguised as ads, marketing disguised as “content”, doom news, political divisiveness bait, AI slop, and brain rot memes.

Before I deleted Instagram off my phone, I used to get overwhelmed, discouraged, and my brain felt slower after scrolling even just 20 minutes. Now I only access it from my laptop and if I do, I go with an intention of looking for someone or something specific, typically someone who isn’t outside Instagram or social media, and then close the tab.

If you’re trying to quit social media/Instagram, I recommend doing the same! If deleting the app feels too difficult (not that you’ll miss having it), know you can always go on it from the browser. You’ll realize that when you go on your computer (which will be much less) you won’t really want to scroll.

Social media isn’t social anymore. If it was, I’d see recent posts from friends, family or artists I chose to follow when opening the app, not whatever the algorithm chooses to feed me.

I would also say that social media isn’t even about communication or the act of sharing, at least it's no longer its main purpose. It used to be a way to put yourself out in the world as an artist or creative or anyone with things to share. But it’s simply not its intend anymore. Social media has become entertainment.

And I wish it would still be how it was, because Instagram used to be a place where I got inspired in, I got to know artists who did cool stuff, and I put my own stuff out for people to see, too. Everyone was there so it was easy to discover and be discovered. To get inspired and inspire. And nothing else.

That’s not to say I don’t think social media, as it was, was perfect. And I think even as it was, would not be enough for artists, creatives and anyone trying to have a space online.

But then, what can we do? Are we just doomed to be on social media without really wanting to, giving up our attention, time and peace to make some billionaire more money?

Is there a way to keep sharing online and connect with other people, outside social media?

I’m asking, not because I have the answer, but because I think we should ask ourselves the question. We should look for the answer.

And there’s probably no answer that fits everyone.

Some use social media just for family and friends.
Some for news and culture.
Some to share what they create.
Some to connect with like-minded people.
Some might not know why they use it.

So everyone’s answer will be different. I think, though, that everyone can find that answer.

If you use social media for family and friends, send a message or email them instead!
If you use it for news and culture… well, the internet is full of that!
If you use it to share what you create (or market it), have your own website!
If you use it to connect with people that share your interests, I’m sure there’s a forum out there somewhere! And if there isn’t, create it!
And if you don’t know why you use it, ask yourself if you really need it.

We need those cozy internet spaces, away from the addictive nature of socials or the bad vibes. And we need to stop thinking there's no other way to connect and share without social media.

(Aaand we also need real-life, outside-world, spaces, of course! haha)