Why We Don’t Do Social Media
The Trail Less Scrolled
At Trailblaze America, we've made a conscious choice to stay off social media platforms. This isn't about being contrarian or old-fashioned—it's about being intentional with how we connect and what we value.
The Mental Health Reality
The evidence is clear: social media use correlates with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and feelings of social isolation. Studies consistently show that heavy social media users report lower life satisfaction and higher levels of psychological distress. The average person checks their phone 96 times per day, with much of that driven by social media notifications designed to capture and hold attention.
For platforms built around connection, they're remarkably effective at making people feel disconnected from what actually matters—including the natural world that has the power to restore our sense of peace and purpose.
Values Misalignment
Many social media companies operate on business models that prioritize engagement and data collection over user wellbeing. These platforms are designed to be addictive, using psychological techniques that keep people scrolling rather than living. Their revenue depends on capturing as much of your attention as possible, often at the expense of your mental health and real-world relationships.
We believe your attention is sacred. The same focus that social media demands could be spent watching a sunrise, listening to canyon wrens, or feeling the texture of bark beneath your hands. These moments of presence and wonder can't be monetized, which is exactly why they're so valuable.
What We Choose Instead
Rather than competing for your divided attention in a crowded digital space, we choose depth over distraction. We'd rather send you one thoughtful piece of writing each week that helps you discover something meaningful than bombard you with content designed to generate quick engagement.
Subscribe to The Compass, our weekly newsletter, where we share:
Carefully curated trail recommendations that offer genuine transformation
Practical wisdom for solo hiking and intentional adventure
Stories from fellow travelers who've found clarity on the trail
Seasonal guidance for connecting with nature's rhythms
Be Social for Real
Instead of following us online, we encourage something more radical: recommend us to a friend in person. Share a conversation over coffee about that trail that changed your perspective. Text someone the link to our latest trail guide when you know they need to get outside.
Real social connection happens when we look up from our phones and into each other's eyes. It happens around campfires, at trailheads, and during those moments when you encounter a fellow hiker and exchange genuine words about the experience you're both sharing.
The Community We're Building
We're creating a community of people who value:
Presence over posting
Depth over breadth
Real conversations over comment threads
Trail wisdom over trending topics
Our subscribers don't just read about trails—they walk them. They don't just consume content—they create experiences. They understand that the most meaningful adventures can't be captured in a feed because they happen in the spaces between heartbeats, in the quiet moments of personal transformation that social media can never replicate.
Join the Movement
Ready to prioritize real connection over digital distraction? Subscribe to The Compass and join thousands of intentional adventurers who've chosen the trail over the feed. Because the path to clarity doesn't have WiFi, and that's exactly the point.
Want to share this message? The most powerful way is the oldest way: tell someone you care about, face to face, why you think they'd benefit from choosing trails over feeds. Real influence happens in real conversations.