The person I've become since I left social media

A perfectly imperfect life

Hello, I’m Molly and I write about my slow and simple life in the Scottish Highlands. Subscribe for free to enjoy occasional posts from me. Or, better yet, join our slow community of kindred spirits to unlock ALL my content, including exclusive writing, videos and resources, to help you live the life you REALLY crave. We’d love you to join us for a cuppa…

Its been 1 year, 7 months and 3 days since I quit social media for good.

This is the person I am now.

I’m someone who is confident in making my own decisions.

I’m re-learning what makes me happy. I’m no longer going places, eating food or waking early to witness the sunrise - just to take an Insta-worthy photo.

I’m a better friend because I invest in quality time with real conversations, no longer relying on passive likes or comments. When I am with my friends, my phone remains untouched. I remember what they say. I ask genuine questions. I am present.

I’m a worse friend as I’m no longer as accessible. My phone is constantly on ‘do not disturb’. It lies forgotten in my bag or in the car for hours on end. I only respond to messages at set times and its common for 24 hours to pass before I do.

I’m less nosey.

I’m a minimalist without even trying. I rarely see adverts. I’m not recommended clothing hauls. I’m no longer bombarded with photos of the ‘perfect home’. Its never been easier to save money. That itch for ‘new things’ disappeared without me even noticing.

I don’t know what an old colleague had for breakfast.

I love my body. Not every day. But most days. I’m loving pushing it in new ways and starting a fitness journey that is just for me. Revelling in the feeling of my strength and stamina growing. Buying clothes that fit rather than by the size I think I should be. Feeling comfortable in my own skin.

I’m a daydreamer.

I work less hours but get more done. I am able to focus on a task undistracted. I no longer idealise ‘busyness’.

I’m an avid bookworm. Before, I was lucky to read one book a month. Now, its a book a week with little effort. I live for these stories.

I’m a writer that’s not constricted by number of characters or caption length. This post you are reading wouldn’t have happened if I was still posting 3 reels a week or documenting every moment of my life through Instagram stories.

I don’t understand TikTok and I don’t want to.

I’m someone that accepts my sensitivity. Who is kind and careful with myself. Understanding that there is much in this world I find overwhelming, but so much more I find beautiful. And recognising that this is my gift.

I value my privacy.

I’m no longer a photographer. My phone camera roll has less than 20 photos at any one time. And they are all unfiltered.

I notice everything. The subtle shades of blue in the sky. The feeling of a warm March breeze. The smell of the salt-tinged sea. Those things that cannot be captured in a photo but are all the more precious for it.

I’m someone who potters.

I can cope with silence. With waiting. In lines, waiting rooms or traffic, I am quite content to stare into space. This is when the magic happens.

I find overhearing loud reels, TikToks or shorts makes my skin crawl.

I’m someone who sketches, paints and collages with the enthusiasm of my 9 year old self.

I can be hasty, thoughtless and ungrateful.

I struggle with anxiety.

I am widely imperfect.

Yet, I am me again. A better, more aware, happier version of myself.

I am finally content with my life.

It breaks my heart to think of the person I was before. There is no going back.

This is me.