If I Had to Give Up One Thing I Use Regularly, What Would It Be?

If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?

We live in a world of routines. Coffee in the morning. Phone at our fingertips. That one app we check before bed. These small, everyday habits become so woven into our lives that we hardly notice them—until we imagine what life would look like without them.

So, if I had to give up one thing I use regularly, what would it be?

For me, the answer is simple: social media.

Why Social Media?

On the surface, it doesn’t seem like a big deal. Social media is just a way to stay connected, share ideas, and keep up with the world. But when I step back, I realize how much time and mental energy it consumes.

Mindless scrolling: Ten minutes turns into an hour. Comparison trap: Other people’s highlight reels can make our everyday lives feel “less than.” Noise overload: Ads, opinions, and endless notifications drown out clarity.

Sure, there’s value in social media—but if I had to give something up, this would be it. Not because it’s “bad,” but because I suspect I’d gain far more than I’d lose.

What Would I Gain Instead?

Giving up something isn’t about deprivation—it’s about trade-offs. If I gave up social media, here’s what I’d get in return:

More time to focus on meaningful work, hobbies, or real-life conversations. More presence in the moment instead of thinking about the next post. More clarity without the constant noise of updates and opinions.

It’s not about rejecting technology—it’s about creating space to live more intentionally.

A Challenge for You

Take a moment and ask yourself:

👉 If you had to give up one thing you use regularly, what would it be?

It doesn’t have to be social media. Maybe it’s your morning coffee, a streaming service, or even your car. The real question isn’t what you’d give up—it’s why.

Because in that “why,” you’ll uncover what truly matters to you.

Final Thought

Giving something up, even just as a thought experiment, helps us see our routines in a new light. Sometimes, the things we cling to most tightly aren’t the ones that actually bring us joy—they’re just habits we’ve let run on autopilot.

So, if I had to give up one thing I use regularly, I’d choose social media. Not because I don’t value it, but because the freedom, clarity, and time it would give me feel even more valuable.

Now I’ll turn the question to you: What would you give up—and what might you gain in return?