Choosing Life Over Likes: My Personal Journey Back to What Matters
Lately, I’ve been taking more breaks from social media—especially Instagram—and honestly, it feels good. Becoming pregnant changed me in so many ways, and after having my baby girl, my priorities shifted completely. She is my first priority. She is my life, my love, my reason to wake up every single day. She is the only person I would die for without thinking twice. With her in my arms, I realized something important: Instagram is fun, but I’m totally fine if I’m not online.
I’m not looking for validation or attention from anyone. Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that if I can be happy without external noise, without constant stimulation, then I am truly connected—to the universe, to myself, and to my own energy. I can be silent and still feel aligned.
That being said, I genuinely love Instagram because of the people it brought into my life. I’ve met some of the most amazing souls—friends who became family, women who meet me for spontaneous tea or coffee, and even last-minute trips to Italy just because we felt like it. Even here in Hamburg, some of my closest friendships started online. We empower each other, help each other, motivate each other. So yes, I love Instagram for the connections. It has given me so much.
But Instagram is Instagram—and my real life is happening right in front of me. I only have one life, and I want to live it with presence. My baby girl hates when I’m on the phone, so I only use it when she’s sleeping, in the crib, or when there’s an important call, message, or email. I’m not against phones—I just don’t want social media to take over my life. It consumes so much time, and time is something we never get back.
When I’m 80, nobody is going to say, “Wow, remember that reel she posted in 2025?” No one will care. What will matter are the moments I lived, the memories I created, the love I gave. And the child growing beside me doesn’t care about Instagram—she cares about me. She will remember how I raised her, how present I was, how I made her feel safe and cherished.
That’s why I choose to give my time to her, my family, and the people who truly matter. Social media can inspire people—absolutely. A single quote at the right moment can change someone’s day or even their future. But scrolling endlessly, procrastinating, losing sleep, comparing lives—that’s the part that becomes a problem. So many people say, “Let me scroll for five minutes,” and suddenly it’s 2am. Their mind is overstimulated, their attention span is gone, and they can’t slow down or calm their nervous system anymore.
I decided to change that for myself. I use my phone as a tool, not a part of my identity. Detaching from it changed my mindset completely. It saved me from buying every new iPhone, from spending money on unnecessary things, from collecting material objects just to show off. It helped me focus my energy and my finances on making life better for myself and my family. People think phones are harmless entertainment, but they affect so many areas of life—our confidence, our peace, our finances, our mental health, even our beliefs. The news, the fake luxury, the unrealistic videos created only for views, the manipulation—it all piles up if we don’t use social media with awareness.
That’s why whenever I post, I make sure what I share has purpose. I never want to create noise. I want my content to inspire, empower, and uplift women. I want them to believe they can reach their potential, break their limits, and live their best life. If my words can help even one woman feel stronger, then posting is worth it.
Life is beautiful. Life is precious. Research shows that people were happier before social media—because they talked more, they played more, they had real conversations, real relationships, real hobbies. They stayed active and lived long, fulfilling lives. And now many of us spend hours lying on a bed or sofa, scrolling through other people’s lives while our own silently passes by.
I don’t want that for myself. I want to cherish my life, be present, and love deeply. I want to be the mother who looked into her child’s eyes more than she looked at a screen. So yes, I still use Instagram—but on my terms. With purpose. With intention. With love. And with the understanding that the most beautiful parts of my life are already here, offline, right in front of me.
If You’re Struggling With Screen Time, Here Are Gentle Reminders to Help You Find Balance
1. Start with small boundaries, not big rules.
You don’t need to quit social media. Just decide when and how you want it in your life. Even 30 minutes less per day can change your mood, your sleep, and your energy.
2. Create “phone-free zones” in your day.
Mornings, meals, and nights are sacred. Put your phone in another room during these times. Protect these moments—they reset your mind and nervous system.
3. Replace scrolling with one small habit.
Pick something tiny but meaningful: stretching, journaling, sipping tea, reading a page. The goal is not to remove your phone—it’s to fill your life with things that nourish you.
4. Ask yourself: “Why am I opening my phone right now?”
Most of the time, the answer is boredom, stress, or habit—not purpose. Awareness alone can break the cycle.
5. Follow accounts that inspire your growth, not your comparison.
Your feed should feel like a safe space, not a battlefield of unrealistic standards. Curate your digital world gently, like you curate your home.
6. Turn off notifications—give yourself peace.
Your phone doesn’t need to call your name 50 times a day. Silence it. You deserve uninterrupted thoughts.
7. Go outside every day.
Nature regulates your nervous system in ways a screen never can. Even five minutes of fresh air can reset your entire mood.
8. Remember: your worth is not measured in likes, comments, or views.
Validation that comes from within lasts. Validation from the internet disappears in minutes.
9. Put your phone away two hours before bed.
Your mind needs rest. Your dreams matter more than the next reel.
10. Choose presence over perfection.
When you look back at your life, you won’t remember the posts—you’ll remember the moments: the laughter, the sunsets, the people you loved.
A final reminder:
You don’t need to disconnect from the online world. You just need to reconnect with your own world. Slow down. Breathe. Look around. Live deeply.
Your life is happening right now—don’t miss it.