Kindly, Kayla 🌼

The Beginning

In 2025, I began my journey of spending less time on social media. My screen time was through the roof, and I was tired of living vicariously through other people. I finally let my accounts fully delete, and for the first time in years, I felt free. No more constant urge to share what I was doing. No more distractions pulling me away from my hobbies. No more comparison, stress, and all the other things that came with it.

When 2026 began, though, I suddenly felt the urge to start sharing again — the things I was learning in my personal Bible studies, the books I had read and loved, and especially my blog. I thought that if I got back online, I could promote my blog posts more because I genuinely love writing and sharing what I’m learning as a Christian woman in my 20s.

So I got back on. Then off. Then back on… and off again, lol. One thing about me is that I can be indecisive. But eventually, I realized what the real problem was.

The Problem

Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are intentionally designed to be addictive. In her book How to Break Up With Your Phone, Catherine Price explains how these platforms are built to capture as much of our attention as possible. She quotes Sean Parker, the first president of Facebook (now Meta), who later described himself as a “conscientious objector” to social media. Parker admitted that the thought process behind building these applications was centered on one question: “How do we consume as much of your time and conscious attention as possible?”

Price also notes that Steve Jobs restricted his own children’s access to technology. When a New York Times reporter asked whether his children liked the iPad, Jobs replied, “They haven’t used it. We limit how much technology our kids use at home.” Similarly, Bill Gates reportedly didn’t give his children phones until they were 14. Chamath Palihapitiya, a former Facebook executive, has said he does not allow his children to use social media. Even Mark Zuckerberg has stated that he does not want his children spending long periods of time in front of a TV or computer.

It says a lot that many of the founders and early leaders of these platforms limit their own children’s exposure to them. If anyone understands how these products are designed, it would be the people who built them. That raises an important question: if they are cautious about their own children’s use, what does that suggest about the potential effects on everyone else?

I highly recommend the book How to Break Up With Your Phone for anyone interested in learning more about the design of social media and its impact on our attention and well-being.

I won’t get too deep into this, but I’ve also learned that the creators behind these platforms use many of the same psychological mechanics that slot machines use in casinos to keep people engaged for as long as possible. So if you find yourself feeling addicted to social media or stuck doomscrolling, don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s not entirely your fault!!

My Struggle with Social Media

I think a lot of this comes down to personality. Some people can post on social media and simply exit the app. Others, like me, post something and then end up doomscrolling, only to realize their day feels completely wasted.

You might be thinking, “Kayla, why not just delete the app from your phone? You don’t have to delete your account—it’s not that deep.” Well, I would argue that it actually is that deep for me.

I have to admit: I exist in extremes. I’m an all-or-nothing kind of person. I’m not saying that’s a good thing, but in this season of my life, I have to be real and acknowledge who I am. Being on social media overwhelms my brain. I find myself constantly thinking about posts I want to make, how I’m presenting myself, what I’m missing, and it just never stops.

When I’m not on social media, I’m so much more creative. Blog post ideas come to my mind more frequently. I have the desire to read books more. I’m adding creativity to my Bible studies by journaling in a way that makes me feel happy.

I’m not ashamed to admit that, at this point in my life, I don’t have the self-control to use social media in a healthy way. I have big dreams, and I can’t keep letting these platforms stand in the way of accomplishing them.

There are things I genuinely love about social media. I’ve even met some of my closest friends there. But for this season of my life, I’m choosing to leave it behind.

What Inspired Me to Leave Again

A few weeks ago, my dad preached a sermon called “Don’t Let Anything Master You” and used this Scripture:

You say, “I am allowed to do anything” — but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything.” I must not become a slave to anything. — I Corinthians 6:12 NLT

If you go to I Corinthians 10:23, the scripture is similar, but it is worded a little bit differently.

You say, “I am allowed to do anything” — but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything” — but not everything is beneficial.

Yes, I am allowed to use social media. No, it’s not a sin to have it. It’s not a salvation issue. But for me, it’s not good, and it’s not beneficial.

I also want to point out that the NKJV uses the word edify.

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. — I Corinthians 10:23 NKJV

Edify — to instruct and improve the mind in knowledge, especially in moral and religious knowledge, in faith and holiness.

There is so much good on social media. There are countless posts that share the Gospel and lead people to Christ. I’m not condemning social media as a whole. But in my life personally, it is not edifying. If anything, it pulls me away from what I need most: the Word of God.

I don’t care if being off social media makes me seem uncool. I don’t care that everyone else is on it. What I do care about is my relationship with Jesus and removing anything that gets in the way of that.

“And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” — Matthew 5:30 NLT

I think this Scripture explains it clearly. I love that Jesus said even your stronger hand. That shows how serious we should be about removing anything that leads us toward sin. Of course, He wasn’t speaking literally about cutting off body parts. It’s a metaphor that emphasizes how seriously we should take sin in our lives.

I recently heard someone point out something I had never considered before: in the days when Jesus said this, there was no pain medication or sedation. Cutting something off would have been extremely painful. You would bleed. It would cost you something. But it would still be better than what you risk by refusing to remove it.

That perspective really stayed with me. I enjoy sharing on social media. It hurts to step away. It doesn’t feel good to leave. But I’m tired of it pulling me away from my time with Jesus.

At the end of my life, I don’t want to look back and see years filled with mindless scrolling. I want to see joy. Time spent with God. Presence with my friends and family. A life lived with integrity. A life that reflects Christ.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” — Hebrews 12:1 NLT

For me, social media has become a weight. And I’m choosing to lay it down so I can run my race well.

Sharing with Intention

I still believe God has called me to share my testimony and the ways He is moving in my life. But I’m beginning to realize that maybe He’s calling me to do it differently than I expected. For a while, I assumed that meant getting back on social media. Now, based on the desires He’s placed in my heart, I see that it doesn’t have to look that way.

I can write a book. I can create a devotional. I can continue posting on my blog and trust God to bring the right people to it through things like search engine optimization. I’ve always loved long-form content, the kind that allows you to go deep instead of skimming the surface.

Long-form content gives space to fully explore meaningful topics. It builds trust. It creates depth. And it feels more natural and authentic to me than quick posts designed to grab attention in seconds.

Maybe that looks like starting a YouTube channel. Maybe it’s launching a podcast. Maybe it’s writing articles for Christian magazines. Whatever it is, I want it to come from a place of obedience, not pressure.

I believe in a God who can do more than I could ask for or even imagine. If I have faith and trust His will for my life, He can enlarge my territory far beyond anything I could accomplish in my own strength.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” — Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

I didn’t write this to condemn anyone who uses social media. This is a personal conviction. There is so much good that happens on those platforms, and I truly believe God can use social media for His glory. Many of my friends and family share beautiful, encouraging content online.

I’m sharing this for anyone who has felt the nudge to step away but hasn’t had the courage to do so. You’re not alone. God can turn FOMO (fear of missing out) into JOMO (joy of missing out)!!

And honestly, I’m also sharing this for accountability. Bringing it into the light makes it real. It keeps me from ignoring what I already know deep down: for this season of my life, I don’t need to be on social media.

Thank you so much for being here and reading this post. You are loved beyond measure. Not only by me, but by the God of the universe. Get offline for a minute and touch some grass!!! It feels great I promise 🙂

Kindly, 

Kayla