The Best Ways to Deinfluence Your Life and Live Simply
The Best Ways to Deinfluence Your Life and Live Simply
Due to the nature of this post, no links to products will be featured.
Think about the last time you purchased something and ask yourself this question: Why? It’s a simple question with a lot packed into those three letters. Why did you choose to purchase that particular item? Now, here’s a second question: How often do you use that product? Chances are, not as often as you’d like to. If you have at least one social media account or are regularly exposed to ads, it’s likely you were influenced to purchase that item. Porch Group Media has some interesting statistics on social commerce. Did you know that 90% of people shop from brands they follow on social media? Also, 29% of social media users are more likely to purchase on the same day of using social media. Further, 70% of shoppers use Instagram to find their next purchase. Last one I’ll throw your way: 41% of Gen Z and Millennials make an impulse purchase online every 2-3 weeks!
In a general sense, there is nothing wrong with someone influencing someone else. In fact, I do it quite often. I’ve gotten friends and family members to try new recipes, implement healthier lifestyle choices, and have even gotten them to purchase something I recommended to them. The greater concern is that influencing has gone too far. From trends and fads to the newest skincare and kitchen gadgets, humans like to consume. And boy, are we good at it. I love this quote from Dave Ramsey: “We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.” Friends, he’s not wrong.
Here is another question. When was the last time you purchased something just because you thought it might bring you joy? Not because you saw it on Amazon or because someone told you you have to have it. I’m guessing not very recently. If you are anything like me, you are out of the loop. I don’t have social media and try to live a mostly influence-free life. If you’re not there yet, but you long to jump off the influencing train, welcome. I’m so excited you’re here! This week, I’m going to share some of the best ways to deinfluence your life and live simply.
If you love this post, consider checking out some of my other content:
REASONS WHY I LIVE SLOWLY (AND YOU SHOULD, TOO!)
EASY STEPS TO HELP YOU START A CRUNCHY LIFESTYLE
HOW TO REDUCE SCREEN TIME AND GET YOUR LIFE BACK
THE BEST WAYS TO LIVE A CRUNCHY LIFESTYLE THIS SUMMER
Get off social media.
If you’ve read some of my other posts on living slowly or reducing screen time, you may think I sound like a broken record. Honestly, I’m ok with that. Getting off social media is one of the best ways to deinfluence your life. Regular use of social media leads to comparing your life to someone else’s life. With the advent of infinite scrolling, it’s also a total time suck. Admit it, at least once, you’ve started scrolling and an hour later wondered what happened to your life. I highly suggest shutting down all your accounts and going cold turkey. If not that, at least remove the apps from your phone. As someone who hasn’t regularly used social media since around 2018, I can tell you my life is vibrant and joy-filled, and also comparison-free.
Add an ad blocker extension.
I am not alone is saying ads drive me nuts. I’ve seen so many comments that mirror my sentiments. They are intrusive and annoying. One way to get rid of them is to install an ad blocker extension on your browser. Browsers like DuckDuckGo and Brave due a better job than Chrome at filtering out ads, but I still have installed an ad blocker to make sure ads are removed. UBlock Origin Lite is a great ad block extension to add that will make searching so much less cumbersome!
Use browsers that remove ads.
If having an ad blocker isn’t enough, one of the next best ways to deinfluence your life is to use a browser that automatically removes ads. Yes, they certainly do exist. The one that is by far the best is Brave. It’s secure and private AND it blocks third-party ads. Do yourself a favorite and switch from Google to Brave now!
When you have to experience ads, mute or fast forward through them.
Is it just me, or do TV ads and commercials seem much more intrusive than they did in the 90s? Seriously, I don’t know if it’s because I’m not regularly exposed to the barrage of ads like I once was, or what. Unfortunately, sometimes ads are inevitable, so one of the next best ways to deinfluence your life is to mute or fast forward through ads. If you have a certain package of a streaming platform, some of them will still show ads if you don’t choose the most expensive option. It’s enough that ads are shown to us, but it’s taken a step further when they show them for companies that promote drugs and sugary, ultra-processed foods. If you can’t fast forward through ads, your next best option is to mute them. This way, even though it’s still on the screen, you’re not engaging as much with the content.
Use Duck Player for a simpler viewing experience.
Have you gotten annoyed with how many ads and distractions there are while you’re trying to watch a YouTube video? I know I do! If it’s not ads, it’s the never-ending home feed or side-bar video suggestions while you’re trying to watch the video. This is the nature of what makes YouTube so addicting. I solely use DuckDuckGo for watching YouTube videos. Why? Because of their Duck Player. It’s simply amazing and will make your video watching experience so much more pleasant. When you use Duck Player, you are only watching the video and nothing else appears, not even the video description box. This is great because there are no links or purchasing suggestions, which is a step ahead of what even Brave offers.
Stop consuming content that creates discontentment in you.
Have you ever watched a video and just felt like your life didn’t measure up? This is the trap of social media. This is how we end up playing comparison games. Please, I beg you to stop. I’ve been there before. For me, it’s watching women donning linen dresses and aprons with five to seven doting children daintily collecting eggs and folding sourdough loaves while they magically accomplish homeschooling lessons. My Laura Ingalls Wilder-wannabe heart has to be careful when I consume homesteading and homemaking content. Most days, I recognize I will not have a five-acre homestead with a fully renovated farmhouse. Good linen is too expensive in my current season of life and, during life in the military, raising chickens ain’t happening.
On my worst days, watching videos that promotes the type of life I can’t have for the foreseeable future makes me sad, and on my best, it’s an inspiration. You have permission to not watch content that breeds discontentment, especially if it causes you to be ungrateful for your life.
Remove yourself from sites and apps with comment sections.
Removing yourself from sites and apps with comment sections is one of the BEST ways to deinfluence your life. I’m no longer on social media, but I remember opening my Facebook account in 2007. It was so cool to have a digital community where I could post updates and pictures from my life. And then things changed. Social media has gone through many changes, including the inceptions of like/reaction buttons, algorithms, short-form videos, and yes of course, comment sections. What once was a place to share happy life updates and memories has turned into a whole different beast.
I got off social media in 2018, before things got really crazy, before constantly-changing algorithms and short-form videos further shortened our attention spans. If you think about it, rarely are social media users interacting with content; they’re now interacting with comments and reactions. Even Spotify has jumped on the bandwagon and implemented a comment section for its podcasts. Interacting with content is no longer fun. After one comment or reaction, you’re done. However, if someone else posts a comment that fires you up, you are going to be prone to react. Reddit is the perfect example of this.
My recommendation to you: Stop engaging in comment sections. Believe it or not, there are extensions you can add to your web browser that will hide comments. The one I use is called Hide Comments Everywhere. When you enable it, it does just what it says. Reddit now looks a lot more boring! When you stop interacting with comments, you not only gain back so much time, but you also realize there is so much more you can do with your life besides interacting in a digital capacity. What to engage in comments? Host a book or social club. It’s way more fun.
Shop in person instead of online.
Amazon is a beast no one seems willing to tackle; however, I promise it’s possible to live without it. I did for almost a decade! The next of our ways to deinfluence your life is to shop in person instead of online. There is so much research that’s been done, showing that shopping in person is a better way to curb spending. Take it a step further and use cash. Many people, especially those not in very rural or remote areas, have access to one or two-day shipping, and it makes it so easy to just press a button and purchase something. However, Amazon can be SO overwhelming, and given that I’m writing this on Prime Day 2025, it’s a perfect topic.
Amazon promotes consumerism and often tries to sell us junk we don’t need. We don’t even pay attention to where an item was made because, frankly, we don’t care. To be more conscious of this, consider going to a brick and mortar store. If you really want to shop online, find a local store that offers USA-made items.
Before purchasing an item, wait at least 24 hours.
If you do want to purchase from a retailer like Amazon, wait to purchase the item for 24 hours. During that time, ask yourself a few questions. Do I need this item? If I want it instead of need it, why do I want it? Who influenced me to purchase this item? If I own this item, will it make my life better or more productive? Do I own a similar item that can function just as well? After taking 24 hours to think about these questions, you’ll often find the item is not worth purchasing. The 24-hour rule will also help you to avoid impulse spending. As you come across items that you want but are currently too expensive, create a wish list in a notebook that you can refer back to.
Practice gratitude and contentment with what you already possess.
One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Philippians 4, where its author, Paul, talks about being content. He says, “10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:10-13, ESV)
There were many times when Paul wrote from prison and this was one of them. He literally had nothing, yet he was still content. Yet, so many of us who have abundance beyond imagination are miserable. We are searching for something we will never find in material goods. First and foremost, Jesus is the only one who can truly satisfy. This is why Paul was so content. He didn’t need anything or anyone else. When we search for happiness and joy in “stuff, “ we won’t find it. Instead, practice gratitude and contentment. Be thankful for what you currently have. In fact, you might gain some joy if you get rid of some of the items you rarely use anymore!
Recognize that not following trends can be uncool.
I’m the first to admit, I am thoroughly and wholly uncool. I don’t follow trends. In fact, if something is trendy, I tend to steer clear of it. Call it anti-herd mentality if you will, but following trends does not appeal to me. In fact, one of our last ways to deinfluence your life is to recognize that you may end up being uncool like me. You don’t have to cut your hair the way every other girl is and you don’t have to buy clothes that tout all the latest fashion trends. In my opinion, the people who are the most confident tend to the be ones who aren’t swayed by the opinions of others. They are the ones who create their own trends and do something just because they enjoy it, not because everything else is doing it. Instead of following the most popular trends and being influenced by others, do what YOU love and enjoy.
Find old-fashioned alternatives to modern conveniences.
The last of the ways to deinfluence your life is to find old-fashioned alternatives to modern conveniences. I am all about living simply and this is one of the best ways to do it. We are obsessed with our smartphones and other “smart” devices. It’s overwhelming and a lot of it is unnecessary. In the end, many of these devices add to our stress because it’s one more thing to take care of. Don’t forget that companies who own these devices also own much of your data.
Old-fashioned alternatives to modern conveniences can include a map or GPS, an actual camera, a notebook, radio, and cookbooks. You are not required to use a technological device for every part of your life. Using analog items is one step towards getting away from comment sections and social media sites. It puts you in touch with the tangible, physical world and reminds you that there’s more to life than swiping on a touch screen device.
If you love this post, consider checking out some of my other content:
REASONS WHY I LIVE SLOWLY (AND YOU SHOULD, TOO!)
EASY STEPS TO HELP YOU START A CRUNCHY LIFESTYLE
HOW TO REDUCE SCREEN TIME AND GET YOUR LIFE BACK
THE BEST WAYS TO LIVE A CRUNCHY LIFESTYLE THIS SUMMER
Well friends, I hope this post gave you some inspiration to be content with your life and to consider alternatives to ultra-modern conveniences. I’d love to know some ways you deinfluence and make your life just a little simpler. Let me know below! Until next time, Kayla.
