Why I Gave Up Snapchat (at least for now)

Or a better question yet: ‘What are you willing to give up?’

This all started when I realized how much I was simply clicking through apps, and not even taking in the content — just aimlessly staring, closing the app, reopening it once again, over and over, mindlessly. I wanted to be more intentional with how I spent my time.

I did a little experiment for myself, just for a day. I deleted the Instagram and Twitter apps off of my phone and only used Snapchat and Facebook exclusively (Spoiler: Facebook stays. It’s the only way I remember birthdays). From this, I realized how much I rely on Twitter for news and pop culture, and Instagram for DIY and artistic posts. I realized from the break, I still found value from those apps. I soon realized however, that Snapchat was the one taking up the most of my time — and data.

In the Minimalist podcast on ‘Buying,’ they discussed FOMO, the fear of missing out — the need to always be part of the group. But they also added in JOMO (their completely legitimate word that was not just made up on the spot), the JOY of missing out. Missing out doesn’t have to be missing out at all; you’re simply choosing a different experience in the mean time. You’re allowing yourself to be intentional about how you allocate your time and with who. This includes giving yourself the permission to go off the beaten path, or in my case, taking an app cleanse even though all your friends use it.

As soon as I deleted the app, the only way I can describe it is to say that I felt more free. It was almost as if there was an invisible link between me and that app, and I felt a release. I found myself constantly checking it, even if nothing new was there. It became a crutch — a way to let time slip away.

Part of the reason this app can become so addictive, is streaks. You’d be lying, as an avid Snapchat user, if you said you weren’t proud of your streaks at one point in time. Getting that magical 100 emoji was an accomplishment — so to speak. But, it soon becomes an effortless way to communicate, meaning someone can put in absolutely no effort whatsoever, and get a free pass. We’re excusing behavior that allows people not to try. Asking for a 'Snapcode' is much easier than going through the trouble of asking for a phone number and carrying on a real conversation these days.

That’s not to say effortless, fun banter is inherently bad at all. That’s not the argument here. Instead, it’s to emphasize that when we allow new people into our lives through such a medium, ‘not trying’ becomes the standard. And ‘not trying’ with 20 people can be as exhausting as having 5 deep conversations at once — know what works for you.

I simply don’t find as much value in it as I once did — that’s a sign that it may be time to reevaluate what you’re putting in vs what you’re getting out. Are you getting more value from it as opposed to the time you’re spending on it? Omitting this from my daily routine has taken the pressure off of worrying how you look in the front camera every time you open your phone.

Now, there’s no saying I won’t redownload the app to check out the ‘memories’ (photos saved via Snapchat) or to see if I can use it less compulsively, but know yourself. When you need a break from something, take it. Find something else to fill the space.

Cut the excess. Free yourself.

Disclaimer: This is just an Op Ed on why I gave up Snapchat. This is not asking you to do the same.