Quit Social Media”… But You’re Still on YouTube? Let’s Talk About It.

“I Quit Social Media”… But You’re Still on YouTube? Let’s Talk About It.

Every few months, we see it.

Someone uploads a dramatic thumbnail. Sad music. Deep sigh.

“I’m leaving social media.”

“I’m done.”

“I can’t do this anymore.”

And then… they post again the next day.

Or they say they deleted Instagram, Twitter (X), and Facebook — but they’re still uploading on YouTube three times a week explaining why they left social media.

Now wait.

Isn’t YouTube… social media?

Let’s talk about it.

Because I’m not judging. I’m just saying: if you’re leaving, then leave. If you’re staying, then stay. But let’s stop acting like YouTube isn’t part of the same ecosystem.

The Social Media Exit Announcement Era

We’re living in the age of the “exit announcement.”

Instead of quietly stepping away, people feel the need to:

Film a 22-minute breakdown

Cry on camera

Blame the algorithm

Blame negativity

Blame burnout

Blame “toxic culture”

Blame followers

And then monetize the goodbye video.

Now listen — I understand burnout is real. Social media fatigue is real. Drama is exhausting. Comments can be brutal. The pressure to perform daily can mess with your mental health.

But here’s the contradiction:

You say you’re quitting social media… while still actively participating in social media.

YouTube is social media.

TikTok is social media.

Podcasting platforms are social media.

Even Substack and blogging have social components.

If you’re uploading, engaging, reading comments, checking analytics — you didn’t leave. You pivoted.

And that’s okay.

Just say that.

Why People Make Public “I’m Leaving” Videos

Let’s break it down honestly.

They want control of the narrative.

Instead of disappearing and letting rumors start, they want to explain themselves.

They want validation.

When people comment “Please don’t go!” it feels good.

They want engagement.

Goodbye videos often get more views than regular content.

They’re emotional in the moment.

Burnout makes people dramatic. We’ve all been there.

They’re scared to fully disconnect.

Social media becomes identity, income, routine, and social life all in one.

It’s not always fake. Sometimes it’s just confusion mixed with exhaustion.

But Here’s the Thing…

If you truly want peace, you don’t need an announcement.

You don’t need:

A 40-minute explanation.

A community vote.

A poll asking “Should I stay?”

A farewell tour.

Silence is powerful.

Logging off quietly is powerful.

Peace doesn’t need applause.

What Actually Happens When You Quit Social Media

Let’s be real about the psychology.

The first few days:

You’ll feel restless.

You’ll reach for your phone out of habit.

You’ll wonder what you’re missing.

The first week:

Your brain starts to calm down.

You stop chasing notifications.

Your sleep improves.

The first month:

You regain focus.

Your thoughts slow down.

You stop comparing yourself constantly.

And here’s the wild part:

Most people don’t notice you’re gone the way you think they will.

Life moves on.

The algorithm moves on.

And that’s not cruel — that’s freeing.

You are not trapped.

So How Do You Actually Quit Social Media?

If you’re serious about stepping away, here’s practical advice.

1. Decide Why You’re Leaving

Is it:

Mental health?

Productivity?

Toxic environment?

Comparison?

Time wasting?

Clarity matters.

If you don’t know why, you’ll come back quickly.

2. Don’t Announce It (Unless Necessary)

Unless your income depends on it, you don’t owe an explanation.

You can simply stop posting.

If you must say something, keep it simple:

“I’m taking a break. See you when I see you.”

That’s it.

No drama. No breakdown. No 30-minute documentary.

3. Remove the Apps

Deactivate or delete the apps from your phone.

Out of sight = out of habit.

You don’t have to delete your account immediately. Start small.

4. Replace the Habit

Social media is dopamine.

You need a replacement:

Walk outside.

Read books.

Journal.

Start a blog.

Learn something.

Go to the gym.

Call a real friend.

If you don’t replace the habit, boredom will drag you back.

5. Separate Content Creation from Consumption

Here’s something real.

You can create without consuming.

Some creators log in, upload, log out.

No scrolling. No reading comments. No drama.

That’s different from “quitting.”

That’s creating boundaries.

And boundaries are healthy.

Is YouTube Different?

Some people argue YouTube feels different because:

It’s long-form.

It’s less chaotic.

It feels like TV.

But it’s still:

Comments.

Subscribers.

Analytics.

Validation cycles.

Algorithm pressure.

It may feel calmer than Twitter, but it’s still a social platform.

So if someone says, “I left social media,” but they’re posting weekly on YouTube?

Technically, they didn’t leave.

They shifted platforms.

Again — that’s fine. Just be honest about it.

The Truth About Drama and “I’m Leaving” Videos

Sometimes the drama is the content.

Controversy boosts views.

Goodbye videos spike engagement.

Return videos spike engagement again.

It becomes a cycle:

“I’m leaving.” “I’m back.” “I’m leaving for real.” “Okay this time I mean it.”

At some point, it stops being about mental health and starts being about performance.

And that’s when viewers roll their eyes.

My Honest Take

If someone says they’re quitting social media but still uploads on YouTube?

I’m okay with it.

Just don’t act like you escaped the system while still participating in it.

If you want to leave — leave.

If you want to stay — stay.

If you want to pivot — pivot.

But let’s stop pretending YouTube is not social media.

It is.

Final Advice: Quit Loud or Quit Quiet?

Quiet is healthier.

Loud is content.

Ask yourself:

Are you quitting for peace? Or are you quitting for attention?

There’s no shame in either — just know which one you’re doing.

Because real peace doesn’t need a thumbnail.

Real peace doesn’t need a comment section.

And real freedom doesn’t need an explanation.

Sometimes the most powerful move you can make online…

Is simply disappearing.