From Feeds to Servers: How I Replaced Social Media

Sep 26, 2025

I used to spend way too much time on social media. My phone would even nudge me with those screen time reports: You’ve spent this many hours today on X… or BlueSky… or wherever. And it was true. I’d get pulled into endless feeds of what the algorithm thought I wanted, sometimes things I actually liked, sometimes things it assumed I liked.

At first, I thought moving over to BlueSky might feel different. I have more than 400 followers there compared to about 100 on X, and I do get some interaction. But the truth is, it often feels the same. You put your voice out there, and sometimes nothing. No comments, no conversation. Over on X it is even worse, with bots creeping in and fake accounts piling up. After a while, I had to ask myself: What’s the point?

That is when I had a little revelation.

For the past year, I have technically been on Discord, but I rarely used it. I only joined because of two specific communities. Slowly, I realized something: the quality of my time there was completely different. On Discord, I was not just tossing words into the void. I was actually connecting.

a square button with a smiley face on a blue background — Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash

That same feeling is what I have started to experience on

Substack

, too. Not only do I get to share my own writing, but I also enjoy diving into some really great reads from others. The engagement here has been refreshing. My articles actually get seen, people respond, and conversations start. I am honestly so pleased with the little community we have been building here, especially among educators and gamers. It is proof that when the focus is on connection rather than algorithms, the experience changes completely.

Here is what makes Discord stand out for me:

1. You join communities for a reason

On social media, anyone can follow you. You can mute or block, sure, but you are basically at the mercy of the feed. Discord feels different. When you join a server, it is because you are already interested in the community, whether it is video games, education, or just a shared hobby. That means the conversations usually stay on topic and feel worthwhile.

2. Moderation that actually works

I have seen firsthand how Discord servers are run better than most social media platforms. There are rules, and more importantly, there are moderators who actually enforce them. You can say “I do not like this game,” but you cannot insult or attack people. The result is healthier discussions, less toxicity, and way less drama than what you see in a typical comment section on X.

3. Positive engagement

When I scroll through a Discord server, I would rather see a stream of thoughtful, lighthearted messages than scroll through a feed full of negativity. People on Discord tend to respond when you engage, as long as you are respectful and on topic. It is refreshing to know that mods and community leaders care about keeping the space welcoming.

Now, I have not abandoned social media entirely. I still hop on X, but I have changed how I do it. I only check it from my home computer, not my phone. I give myself 15 minutes, tops. I go through a curated list of people I genuinely want to follow, my “crew,” and then I log off. No more doomscrolling.

It has been about two weeks since I started this shift, and it has been great. Discord has become the place where I spend my online time with people who actually care about the same topics. Substack, too, has been a space where my words find real readers. Both have reminded me that online communities can be positive, intentional, and worth my time.

If you have never tried Discord, I would recommend it. Think of it like the group chats of old, except with communities you choose to join. It can be close knit, positive, and full of people who just want to talk about a shared interest.

And for me, that is worth way more than another hour of scrolling through an algorithm’s idea of what I should like.

Prof. Rock