Introduction

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Whether it’s TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, or any other form of social media it’s so easy to get lost in an endless loop of content that doesn’t actually leave you feeling great.

Soo, what if you swapped 10 minutes of doomscrolling for something that actually makes you feel better?

Believe it or not, blogs—yes, actual blogs— are an essential part of what we consume online daily and are way more valuable than we give them credit for.

Think about it: when you’re hunting down the perfect smoothie recipe or trying to figure out how to DIY something new, chances are the first thing that pops up is a blog post. You might scroll past it for a TikTok or YouTube Short, but a blog was probably that videos original source of information.

By definition, a blog is “a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style” (thanks to Oxford Languages).

In other words, it’s real people sharing their thoughts, tips, or knowledge in a way that is AUTHENTIC—not like a brand trying to sell you something every five seconds (wether their products are good or bad).

Blogs have so much to offer—and if you’re part of Gen Z (like me) or a younger millennial, you’ve probably been sleeping on them.

So in this post, I want to talk about why blogs—especially lifestyle ones—deserve a comeback, and how swapping just a little of your screen time for blog time can actually make you feel more you.

The DownSides Of Social Media

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If you clicked on this article, there’s a good chance you’re looking for something new to break up your usual scrolling routine—or maybe you’re just curious about what blogs have to offer. Either way, welcome.

If that’s not the case, no worries. I’m here to walk you through why social media can be more harmful than we realize—and how stepping back from it (even for just a few minutes at a time) might actually have benefits for you in the long run.

Disclaimer: This content is only for informational purposes only and should not be substituted or considered profession advice.

I encourage you to do your own research beyond any of the content you read in this post!

Dopamine & Doom strolling

In all honest, social media apps are not about building community and social interactions, but are profit making machines designed to keep you hooked!

They use your data to create endlessly tailored feeds that encourage doomscrolling, impulse buying, and nonstop content consumption. It feels good in the moment thanks to those quick dopamine hits, but most of the time, we don’t even remember what we looked at five minutes later.

Leading to regret when that random package from your 2 a.m. doom strolling session finally shows up at your front door.

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Algorithms & Self-Diagnosis

Constant exposure to content related to health conditions—although educational—has led to a noticeable increase in self-diagnosis —something I’ve caught myself doing more than once.

Experts have even linking social media to the rising rates of:

• Suicide
• Self-harm
• Eating disorders
• And other serious conditions

There are also reports of platforms repeatedly showing users disturbing or traumatic content, even after a brief interaction with similar posts. This raises serious concerns about how these algorithms function and their psychological effects as you feel like you’re stuck in a endless loop of negative content you didn’t ask for.

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Comparison Culture & Burnout

Beyond that, social media often fosters feelings of comparison and FOMO (fear of missing out) —seeing everyone’s perfect photos, exciting vacations, and “aesthetic” lives. Whether it’s influencers or people you know personally, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind or not doing enough. That constant pressure builds up and can leave you feeling disconnected from your own life.

This is where social media burnout comes in. It’s real, and more common than you may think. It’s that mental exhaustion from spending way too much time online, scrolling but not feeling satisfied—or worse, feeling worse than when you started. Something I, and many others looking to take a break from these social media platforms have experienced firsthand.

Social media isn’t always the best place to spend your limited time and energy in this world obsessing over. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and it might be time to try something different.

Why Blogs Are Better

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Unlike the typical news articles your parents might read—those focused on timely updates, facts, and objective reporting—blogs take a different approach.

Blogs are more conversational and opinion-driven. They’re designed for deeper, more personal exploration of topics that often don’t get covered in traditional media.

Lifestyle and personal blogs (like this one) go a step further by creating a sense of community. They’re less about delivering headlines and more about sharing experiences, insights, and ideas—much like the influencers you follow on platforms like:

• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Twitter (or X)
• And other social platforms

Creators Are in Control

Here’s the key difference: instead of using a social media profile, blog creators share content through their own websites. This gives us more control over what we post and how we connect with our audience—without being limited by forever-changing algorithms.

From a creator’s perspective, it’s a more organized, user-friendly environment. Readers can easily search for topics they’re interested in, revisit old posts, and interact in a way that feels more intentional than the fast-paced nature of your typical social media feeds.

Slow Media Over Fast Content

As a reader, you’re not pulled into endless, mindless scrolling like you are on TikTok or Instagram Reels. Instead, following a blog encourages you to slow down, read, and engage with long-form content that’s thoughtful and meaningful to read.

Think of blogs as the written version of YouTube. You can find content for entertainment, learning, inspiration—or even just a moment of escape, reading about someone else’s day or perspective.

Every blog has its own vibe and covers a wide range of content within a niche—kind of like a folder full of thousands of stories waiting to be explored.

And instead of algorithms pushing whatever’s trending, blog writers share content of interest directly to you. You’re in control of what you read, what you follow, and what kind of ideas you want to engage with.

Blogs are making a comeback; as one of the best platforms for thoughtful content, personal connection, and online communities—and honestly, now’s the perfect time to jump back in.

So if you’ve been feeling burnt out by the fast pace world of social media, try swapping a few scrolls for blog posts and continue reading till the end to find your perfect one.

What Blogs and Social Media Have in Common (The Good Things)

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Education: While you may have often been told not to use blogs as citations in your school essays, many individuals utilize them to share their expertise.

Support: You can support your favorite creators simply by viewing and engaging with their content. So, your engagement might even be your chance to support a local small business!

Community: Opt-ins, newsletters, group chats, comment sections, freebies, paid services, their are a variety of ways you can be involved beyond just following their websites.

Entertainment: Blogs provide content across a wide range of genres, similar to the music, podcasts, TV shows, books, and movies you may already consume daily, including:

• Self-help
• Recipes
• Business
• Technology
• Horror
• Fashion
• Travel
• Film
• Astrology
• And many more!

All just one Google search (or whatever search engine you prefer) away.

My Digital Detox Journey: A Personal Testimonial

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I’ve experienced the benefits of a digital detox just from leaving behind TikTok and Snapchat.

I had been using TikTok since I was 8, back when it was still called Musical.ly. I’ve used Snapchat off and on the past few years as well—until eventually, both of my accounts were banned.

It wasn’t my choice to leave. Honestly, I used to think I’d never stop using the platforms. They were my life.

I was constantly checking them, making videos to upload, caring about what people thought, how many likes I got, how many followers I had—and none of it ever felt like enough.

The last time my TikTok account was banned (for reasons I still don’t know), it wasn’t the first time. But I was 16 and honestly tired of wasting my life away on 10-second video clips and random dance trends.

Once I was forced to leave, I never looked back.

I did re-download Snapchat recently—only because of my high school’s sports team group chat I had to join.

I haven’t redownloaded TikTok on my phone since around November 2024, except for one quick check to see what my junior prom hashtag was for 2025.

It’s hard to fully leave and never go back, especially when our whole generation revolves around these platforms.

I still have Instagram and Facebook, but they’re tucked away in the hidden sections of my iPhone so I don’t mindlessly open them. Sometimes I barely check them, and other times I check them daily.

The Benefits of Quitting Social Media

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Many individuals in Gen Z have been taking breaks from or quitting social media over the last few years—I am one of the few who has done so.

A now slightly outdated statistic from PR Week stated: “34% of Gen Z say they’re permanently quitting social media, and 64% are taking a break.”

Additionally, 44% agree that social media is a waste of time, and 72% say we are too distracted by it.

These numbers are from 2018, but lately, I’ve seen many YouTube videos where fellow Gen Zers quit social media for a week, a month, or even a year—and reflect on how it has positively changed their lives.

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5 Unexpected Benefits:

After sharing my complicated relationship with social media, here are five benefits that I—and many others—have experienced after stepping away:

1. Living More in the Moment
2. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
3. More Time for Hobbies and Interests
4. Improved Self-Esteem
5. Stronger Relationships

It can be scary to make the internal decision to disconnect from the lives of friends, family—even the whole world—by leaving social media. But it’s a decision you likely won’t regret.

Take that long-overdue break from the constant stream of information and drama coming from your phone. And remember—it doesn’t have to be for forever.

If you’re a creator, be mindful of how you engage with your audience. If you’re a viewer, be mindful of how you consume content online.

That’s what leaving social media is all about—finding the balance that works best for you!

How to Start Reading Blogs (And Actually Enjoy It)

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If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably ready to dive into blog reading—especially if you’ve decided to take a break from social media. But where do you start?

Here are some of the easiest ways to discover blog sites you’ll love:

1. Search Engines: Using Google you can search for blogs in different categories.
2. Pinterest Boards: Many bloggers use Pinterest as a search engine to drive traffic to their blog (including this one) so searching on their you can find many different blog pages.
3. Niche Communities: Their are many groups, apps, or even websites that share all kinds of blogs such as Facebook and Reddit.
4. From Blogs You Know: You can also find blogs through posts like this one, where writers share recommendations of other bloggers who cover topics that align with their interests and values.

Another great way to stay connected to when new blog posts surface is by joining a bloggers newsletters or email lists so you’ll get updates when new content drops.

Just like you would with your favorite YouTube channel—don’t forget to share, subscribe, and leave a comment if something resonates with you.

Final remarks:

Have you ever tried stepping away from social media? What would you do with the extra time?

Do you have a favorite blog you’ve found after reading this post?

If you enjoyed reading consider sticking around for future content—follow our Pinterest for updates on new blog posts—and feel free to share it with your friends and family!

This is my first ever blog post so let me know how it was in the comments below!

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