Why I stopped using social media

If you’ve watched my free training for web designers and freelancers, you already know the story.

A few years back, I burned my web design business to the ground. 😰

Not out of rage or drama—but out of necessity. Years of juggling deadlines, content, marketing, client work, admin, systems… I’d accidentally created a monster of a business. From the outside, it looked successful. But on the inside, it was draining the life out of me.

And I had no idea how desperate I was for change—until life forced me to stop.

Whether it was travelling full-time, being un-expectantly bedridden during pregnancy, or adjusting to the mental load of motherhood, I was suddenly scrambling for time, energy and brain space. That’s when it hit me:

I’d made my web design business so complicated

Every bit of progress took effort. Not just the client work—but the admin, emails, content creation, research, and staying “visible” online. Maybe you’re nodding along right now. Or maybe you’re still in the thick of it, wondering how the heck you’ll ever reduce your hours.

Wherever you’re at—know this: you’re not alone. ❤️

At my lowest, I referred 95% of my clients away. I couldn’t bear the thought of another web project. I was burnt out, overbooked, and completely disconnected from the business I had built over 10+ years.

And then something unexpected happened.

I found joy in something new. I started sharing about natural products I genuinely loved. No pressure. No deadlines. Just tiny pockets of time, using social media the way it’s “meant” to be used. For fun. For community. For connection.

But here’s where it really shifted… 🤯

We went on a family trip to Bali—and decided to properly switch off.

No emails. No Instagram. No content. No business. Just 10 days of being present.

And when I came back?

I didn’t want to log back in…

I didn’t want to log back in

Not a little break. Not a reset. I genuinely had zero desire to return to social media. And that feeling didn’t fade. Weeks passed. Then months. I’d check Instagram maybe once a week… but I didn’t miss it.

What I did notice?

I started hearing myself again. 😭 Not the noise. Not the trends. Just… me. My own ideas. My own clarity. I started trusting in my own choices for my life. After a really big few years battling depression… I started to see life clearer than I had in a very long time.

I wasn’t thinking about how to “turn this into content” or “show up” for anyone. I was just being. Drawing. Gardening. Reading. Playing. Living.

It was all for me, and no one else. 🙌🏼

And slowly, something else came back too.

People started asking me about web design again. ✨

At first, I said no. I wasn’t “doing that” anymore. But the space I had created? The peace I was feeling? It gave me the mental bandwidth to reconsider and actually turn in to what I really wanted (without noise).

What if I did web design… differently?

What if I used my 10+ years of skills, and focused only on the bits I loved most—WordPress, SEO, streamlining, simplifying?

What if I stopped trying to be everywhere online, and just got really intentional about what felt good and what worked for me with marketing?

And so, I started again. A new chapter. 🌱

I rebuilt my web design business from the ground up, keeping only what made sense. I said no to depending on social media for marketing. I said yes to ease. I said yes to sustainable, joyful work.

Out of this came the Nomadic Business Blueprint—my online course built for freelancers and web designers like you who want more freedom, less noise, and a business that actually fits your life.

The Social Slowdown – Movement

During that time, I also found an incredible book: The Social Slowdown by Meg Casebolt. I downloaded it on Kindle and couldn’t stop nodding. It confirmed everything I was feeling about social media, burnout, and marketing without being constantly online. It talks about how much the algorithm of platforms like Facebook and Instagram have changed a lot over the years, making it hard to organically be found and seen by our people.

Meg shares real stories of business owners running thriving businesses without relying on social platforms. Through strategies like blogging, SEO and email (my faves!), she proves that simpler is absolutely possible.

Highly recommend it if you’re feeling done with social media—or just want a little proof that there’s another way.

Because there is. 🙌🏼

If you’re overwhelmed, questioning everything, or just feeling out of alignment with how you’re running your business, I see you.

That’s exactly why I created my course. To help you untangle the mess, rebuild with intention, and feel free in business again! It’s exactly what I wish had existed back then – an understanding hand to hold that gives step by step guidance of how to avoid / overcome burn out as a web designer or creative business owner.

Facts about marketing your business in 2025

📉 Instagram in 2025 (Organic Content)

• Only ~7.6% of your followers see your average post. 😳

• Reels can perform better (10–20% reach for small accounts), but it’s still hit-and-miss.

• Stories? Often under 5% reach, and they disappear in 24 hours.

• Engagement rates are low: ~0.5% on average (that’s 5 likes or comments per 1,000 followers).

• To keep visibility, you need to post often, jump on trends, and battle the ever-changing algorithm.

📬 Email Marketing in 2025

• Average open rate: 35–45% for small, engaged lists.

• Click-through rate: 2–5% depending on the quality of the email.

• You own your list. No algorithm or app glitches can stop you reaching them. 🙌🏼

• Email is personal, direct, and more likely to lead to sales and real connections.

• One great email can have a bigger impact than 10 social media posts.

📈 Blogging in 2025: Key Stats

• Organic Reach: Blogs can attract significant organic traffic, especially when optimised for SEO.
• Longevity: Unlike social media posts, blog content remains discoverable over time, continuing to attract readers long after publication.
• Time on Page: The average time spent on a blog post is around 3 minutes and 15 seconds, indicating strong reader engagement. (less noise around to distract potential customers!)

• Conversion Rates: Blogs have an average conversion rate of over 5%, outperforming many other digital channels.

• Lead Generation: Companies that blog regularly generate 67% more leads than those that don’t.

You don’t need to burn it all down

You don’t need to burn it all down like I did. But if you’re feeling the pull to slow down and do things differently—I’ve got your back. 💚

And if you’ve been using social media to market your business but feel like it’s draining your energy (without much return), know this:

It’s okay to make a change. It’s okay to stop. It’s okay to do things your own way.

You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re just ready for a new way of working.

And that’s where Nomadic Business Blueprint comes in.

👉🏼 Learn about my course here, or watch my free training below for the 3 biggest shifts that will help you untangle of mess of your web design or creative business. It’s going to help you so much if you’ve been nodding along while reading this! 🙌🏼

Let’s make your business make sense again—without the constant hustle!

Lou x