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I Quit Snapchat and Here’s What Happened

Over 100 million people use Snapchat on a daily basis and, until recently, I was one of them.

A few months ago, I deleted my Snapchat. When I say I deleted my Snapchat I don’t mean that I logged out of the app and removed it from my phone. I mean I gave Snapchat my username and password and agreed that I wanted my account permanently removed.

When the app asked if I was sure about my decision I hesitated, but after thinking about it for a few minutes I knew I was making the right decision.

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I never really explained to people why I deleted my Snapchat until now. I deleted my account because the app was consuming my life and it started to take a toll on my mental health.

I checked Snapchat 24/7. I used the app to send and receive snaps, but my main usage was to watch stories. I wouldn’t really update my story, but I would watch others’ stories. Checking it to see what my current and former friends were doing, as well as checking on some of my ex-boyfriends.

My constant use of the app started taking a toll on my mental health almost a year ago, at the beginning of my junior year. Every time I would check the app I found myself down and depressed by the time I closed the app.

Why wasn’t I invited? Maybe they don’t really like me. I guess they forgot about me. Those were all thoughts that would cross my mind when I checked Snapchat.

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It wasn’t until I started comparing myself to others, who I felt replaced me in different aspects of life, that I knew Snapchat was unhealthy for me.

During my 5-month break from Snapchat, I lived in the moment and selflessly focused on myself. At first it was really hard, I didn’t know what to do in between classes or when I was in bed late at night. But after a while it became easier.

I spent my spare time reading books/newspapers/magazines and journaling about different experiences I was having that could lead to a story for the school newspaper or USFSP Her Campus.

This time was also used to learn more about my anxieties and what was causing me to feel the way I do. After briefly meeting with my school’s psychologist, I started doing a number of exercises that focused on me. By the end of my sessions, I learned tools and tricks that would allow me live with my anxieties without letting them consume my life.

As time passed, I forgot that Snapchat existed. I was happy and healthy. I was living in the moment and not caring what others were doing.

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It wasn’t until recently that I redownloaded the Snapchat app, because I am taking a social media class this fall. But because of my break from Snapchat, I am using it in a whole new light. I now use my Snapchat to read stories from Cosmopolitan and Refinery29 and to share my senior year adventures with friends and family members.

Because I have found new ways to spend my spare time, I don’t have an urge to constantly check the app. I have found a way to have a Snapchat without letting it consume my life again.

I definitely would recommend anyone who feels that Snapchat has taken over their life to disconnect for a little while.

It will be the best decision that you will ever make.

I am a graduate student at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg pursuing my Masters in Digital Journalism and Design. I have a strong photography background with expertise in writing, social media, event marketing, and graphic design. Williams can be reached by email at tamiracle@mail.usf.edu.    Life is like a Camera. You focus on what's important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives and if things don't work out you take another shot. ~ unknown
Cara Sprunk has been the Managing Editor of Her Campus since fall 2009. She is a 2010 graduate of Cornell University where she majored in American Studies with a concentration in cultural studies. At Cornell Cara served as the Assistant Editor of Red Letter Daze, the weekend supplement to the Cornell Daily Sun where she also wrote for the news and arts section and blogged about pop culture. In her free time Cara enjoys reading, shopping, going to the movies, exploring and writing.