1 Year Without Social Media

Hello there, Vítor here - music artist behind the project NEOVYK. On December 30, 2023, I made a bold decision: I quit social media. No more posts, stories or endless scrolling. After spending over 15 years immersed in these platforms, this felt like a leap into the unknown. Surprisingly, the hardest part wasn't dealing with FOMO (fear of missing out). It was the uncertainty of where and how I could share my work, wondering what I might be missing out on. Could my art still reach people if I wasn't "online"? How things unfolded... By the end of 2023, I felt stuck in a loop. Social media had become overwhelming - the constant flow of new trends, sounds, music genres and a lot of noise... I wasn't enjoying it anymore. Leaving that environment wasn't easy, but I wanted to know what life would feel like a year later. Would things become clearer? Would I create more meaningful music? Would I feel like a better version of myself? Well... not exactly. Surprised? Maybe you were expecting one of those life-changing revelations about leaving social media. I've seen those too. But honestly, nothing major happened. That doesn't mean it wasn't worth it, though. It was a unique year in many ways and looking back, I've learned more than I expected. When I shared my decision online, I had four main goals: - Create my "best" music, free from external trends and pressure. - Travel, read, write, draw and paint more. - Make a new album. - Take some time to figure things out. Here's what I actually achieved: - I travelled and finished reading one book (yes, just one). - I (almost) finished a new album. - I learned new things about myself. Things that are shaping both my life and my art moving forward. Was it a successful challenge? What do you think? What I've learned and unlearned... Without the pressure of posting, I started creating mostly for the joy of it. No deadlines, no expectations... I was free to explore more, making music based on my mood rather than trying to fit it into a certain genre or worrying about whether it was "playlistable" or not. However, I haven't completely removed all influences from my art. Influence still plays a role in my creative process and I'm not sure how much I should try to eliminate it. After all, everything is influenced by something, right? Maybe navigating that balance will be my next big creative challenge. Without social apps on my phone, I did started noticing more... more about myself, my surroundings and the people around me. My screen time dropped drastically, from 4-5 hours a day to just 30 minutes or less. Some days, I don't even touch my phone. And when I do use it, it's mostly for practical things, like looking something up online or using Google Maps. I still spend a lot of time on my computer, so don't worry - I'm not judging anyone. But I do know that the time I spend on it is for the most part useful. Like writing this blog post, making music or working on 2D/3D art. And yes, I still get my daily dose of long-form YouTube videos for entertainment, obviously. But never Shorts, those are hidden thanks to a brilliant Chrome extension. What felt surprisingly great, though, was not feeling the need to share my life with others anymore - whether it's with family, friends or occasional fans. It was liberating, like a weight I didn't know I was carrying was finally lifted off my shoulders. There's something deeply satisfying about keeping things to yourself. For independent artists, social media often feels like the default; it's the only way to connect with an audience because that's all we know. Stepping away made me realize there are alternatives that might better align with who I am and how I want to present my work. For me, YouTube stands out. It allows me to share both my music and creative process in a way that feels more genuine. Writing here, on this blog, also gives me space to connect on a deeper level. Instagram? It always felt like a curated highlight reel. TikTok's fast-paced format doesn't resonate with me and X feels like shouting into a void. As for Facebook, let's just say it feels like another lifetime. But, it's not that these platforms don't work for some. They just don't work for me. Now, the real question. Did I miss out on opportunities by leaving social media? Probably. Actually, most likely... But honestly, I'm 1000% okay with that. There were moments when I felt tempted to log back in, whether it was day one or month nine. Instead of giving in, I sat with the discomfort; that discomfort often led to some surprising things. Like when I travelled to Scandinavia. During that trip, I captured tons of photos and videos. Back at the Airbnb, I watched my fiancée post hers on social media - because that's what most people do. I thought: "What should I do with these?" I love creating - whether it's music, visuals or something else entirely. So, instead of letting those moments get lost in a digital void, I paired the footage with music I made during the trip. The outcome? A video series of creative short films that felt personal, authentic and, most importantly, fun! Looking back, that project turned out to be one of my proudest achievements of the year. So, what changed? I feel slightly more in tune with myself, "slighly" being the key word here and far less consumed by the outside world's noise - and I genuinely love it. With that said, I'm still a work in progress. This journey wasn't about finding some profound conclusion; it was about learning to move at my own pace, to create in my own way and maybe, just maybe, build something truly expressive and worth sharing. Now, what's next? With 2025 just around the corner, my main focus is on the next big project: my second album! Will I return to social media to chat about it? Frankly... I don't know yet. I've seen what life is like without it and I'm in no rush to dive back in. If I do return, it'll be strictly on a post-and-go basis, with very, very minimal use. Right now, my priority is finalizing the album. I'm excited to share something greatly meaningful to me - something I hope will feel timeless and resonate with others. Ultimately, what truly matters, is creating what brings you joy. Thank you for reading "Inside The Mind Of An Artist". Until next time, Vítor