Monitoring Spirits, Virtual Vampires & Why I Had to Log Off

Social media isn’t what it used to be. It used to feel creative, exciting, and connecting. Now, for many of us, it feels performative, draining, and eerily watched. Recently, I made the decision to quietly deactivate my personal Instagram—not because I’m anti-social or craving attention—but because I noticed something deeper happening.

I was being watched. Not in the casual, “oh that’s cute” kind of way. Watched in silence, with no support, no interaction, no real love. Just lurking. And if you’ve ever felt that—felt the invisible weight of people observing your every move without clapping for your growth—you might be dealing with something spiritual. Something energetic. Something that many call monitoring spirits.

What Are Monitoring Spirits?

In spiritual terms, monitoring spirits are believed to be unseen forces (or embodied by people) that observe your life from a place of jealousy, control, or ill intent. On social media, they often show up as people who never engage with your content but seem to know everything you’re doing. They don’t like, comment, share, or support—yet they never miss a story. They’re even first to see your stories, usually. They never miss a reel. They’re tuned in, but not for the right reasons.

This silent surveillance drains more than just your vibe—it drains your energy, confidence, and creativity.

Social Media Fatigue: When the Feed Stops Feeding You

I started to feel energetically exhausted after being online. It wasn’t just doomscrolling or screen time—it was the feeling of being seen too much by people who didn’t actually see me. There’s a difference.

Instagram turned into a performance. A pressure. Every post felt like a mini-launch. Every story felt like a test. I wasn’t sharing from joy anymore—I was managing perception. And that’s when I knew it was time to pause.

How I Knew It Was Time to Deactivate

Here’s how I knew I needed a break—and maybe you’ll recognize these signs too:

• You feel watched but unsupported. People are consuming, but not connecting.
• You feel drained after posting. Not just tired—drained.
• You second-guess your authenticity. Wondering “Is this too much?” or “Will this make someone uncomfortable?”
• You feel anxious about who’s viewing your stories. Especially people you’ve outgrown or have uncertain energy around.
• You crave privacy. Not because you’re hiding—because you’re healing.

Spiritual Hygiene in the Digital Age: 5 Tips to Protect Your Peace Online

Here’s what I’ve learned—and what I’m practicing—to stay spiritually and emotionally aligned while navigating social media:

1. Audit Your Followers Regularly

Just because someone followed you in 2017 doesn’t mean they belong in your space in 2025. Go through your list. Remove energy that no longer aligns.

2. Go Private or Curate Close Friends Lists

You don’t owe public access to your healing, growth, or success. Share selectively. Create safe containers online like Close Friends or private accounts.

3. Watch the Silent Lurkers

Pay attention to who never interacts but watches everything. Not from a place of paranoia, but from a place of pattern recognition.

4. Pause Before Posting

Ask yourself: “Am I sharing this from joy, or from pressure?” If it’s the latter, give yourself permission to hold it for yourself.

5. Embrace Digital Sabbaths

Take weekends (or weeks) off without guilt. Social media will always be there—your energy and peace should come first.

Choosing Presence Over Performance

I didn’t deactivate Instagram to disappear. I did it to reappear in my life. Fully. Authentically. Without the noise, comparison, or silent spectatorship. I wanted my creativity back. My clarity back. My center back.

If you’re feeling the same—know you’re not alone. The digital world is loud. It’s fast. And sometimes, it’s too much.

It’s okay to log off. To reclaim your time, energy, and spirit. To curate your space with intention.

You are allowed to protect your peace—even from behind a screen.

I Miss When Social Media Was Messy, Real, and Fun

I genuinely miss when social media was actually fun. Back when people still touched grass, posted their coffee, their cat, their chaos—without obsessing over engagement or aesthetics. Our feeds were a mess in the best way: mix-matched filters, overly saturated presets, and captions that made no sense but felt real. We weren’t curating a brand; we were just sharing life. Unfiltered. Unapologetic. Ourselves. And somewhere along the way, that got lost.

Now, every scroll feels like the Truman Show with affiliate links. Everyone’s pitching something, building a brand, selling a lifestyle. And listen—I have a LikeToKnowIt too (which, honestly, I probably should neglect less). I love sharing things I genuinely like. But I keep most of my salesy stuff there, because I know how exhausting it is to feel like every post is trying to convert you into a customer. Sometimes, a girl just wants to open Instagram or TikTok and watch a raccoon eat grapes or a cat smack your glass off a counter—not feel like she’s walking through a digital mall of temu crap with no exit.