A digital media researcher shares their experience leaving social media platforms in April 2024, describing it as a personal liberation from constant online presence. The decision stemmed from wanting to reclaim emotional space and transform digital media back into tools rather than omnipresent platforms. Platform capitalism has fundamentally altered how we interact with digital spaces, making the researcher's choice both ideological and deeply personal.

The emotional impact of leaving social media revealed unexpected consequences. While the researcher gained a richer sensory experience of daily life - noticing rain, light patterns, and small moments of beauty - they also lost casual connections and the ability to maintain low-effort relationships. Some friendships faded without the constant digital connection, and meeting new people became more intentional but less spontaneous. The researcher found themselves explaining their choice to others who often felt defensive about their own social media use.

This personal experiment raises questions about digital presence in an era of looming global challenges and the need for social organizing. The researcher acknowledges the privilege of being able to leave and the practical difficulties of staying informed as a digital media researcher. Their journey highlights the complex emotional landscape of online visibility and the courage required to step away from platforms designed to keep users engaged. The experience ultimately suggests that freedom from social media offers generative potential for personal growth, even as it creates new challenges in maintaining human connections.