Why I'm Shutting Down ChatGPT

It has been fun but time to move on

With the wave of ChatGPT entering the market, taking everyone by storm from writing essays, creating content, writing code, and now gearing up to replace the workforce, I couldn’t help but jump in and take full advantage of what it offered.

I have been using ChatGPT to help with my writing, create video scripts, gather information, assist with my strategies, coach me through challenges, and even interpret my dreams (with mind-blowing analyses).

In the early stages of ChatGPT’s arrival, the contrast of opinions became clear, expressing panic and terror to enlightened insights supporting the further evolution of consciousness and mankind. There is undoubtedly an opportunity for growth through any situation we encounter, yet there is also an opportunity for destruction and repercussions. A true expression of our dualistic reality.

(Image created through ChatGPT, one of my favourite creative tools that it offers)

I will share my insights into why I will no longer use ChatGPT for writing and scripting.

ChatGPT Makes Mistakes.

I can’t count how many times I’ve corrected information provided by ChatGPT. My greatest concern is if errors such as this are so easily generated with basic information found on the web, what other errors has it been, and is currently responsible for?

With the time it takes to review information and double-check for errors, I could have sourced the information myself correctly.

It Lacks Soul (clearly).

Looking back at some of my past articles where I have leaned on ChatGPT, it’s obvious that my true essence is not coming through. Considering I’ve spent copious amounts of time using AI, I can also tell when someone else is using it. No fault of anyone - I know why people lean on it. We are “too busy,” we lack confidence, and we feel blocked or unable to generate the ideas to keep us going. The list goes on.

But here’s the thing - we are all able and capable enough to express ourselves, speak openly and vulnerably, believe in our intellect, and share what we want to share. ChatGPT can assist, but it can’t replace you.

It’s not allowing me to be me.

The more I leaned on ChatGPT, the further I leaned away from myself.

I’ve had an incredible fear of expressing myself publicly. To the point of deleting countless posts, ideas, and creations. I would become almost paralyzed with writing as I never considered myself a “good writer.” I remember my mom reading one of the first articles that I published here on Substack, only to respond to my writing format, not to the essence of what I was saying or the meaning behind my words. The perfectionistic mother has lived in my head far too long, and it’s time to properly and confidently step into my truth and not hide behind the machine.

What at first seems to have substance falls flat.

If you haven’t caught the “quantum coaching” craze circulating on social media, ChatGPT has been used to coach individuals to huge success. I had to see what the hype was all about and give it a try.

At first, the experience was great. Shocking, in fact.

Working with ChatGPT to navigate a challenging time brought many insights to my awareness, with actionable steps to regulate, rewire, and tidy up. However, after the initial experience, I found information and guidance redundant, lacking consistency, or even changed altogether, seeming to guide me off-course.

Yet, it was enough to sharpen my awareness and become more responsible and confident with my decisions and discernment, empowering myself to take charge of my actions rather than relying on AI (a win in the end).

It supports & takes away at the same time.

Undoubtedly, ChatGPT has been created to make work “easier.” That said, it still requires time for fact-checking, removing redundancies, and cleaning up formatting and word use (even if you give it detailed instructions). With the time I have spent giving prompts, formatting, and checking facts to ensure accuracy and alignment with my style, direction, and essence, I could write it all myself and run it through Grammarly for a quick check for glaring issues.

I have learned a lot working with ChatGPT and am grateful for being able to identify my strengths and weaknesses, plus areas for improvement.

With that…

I had tender moments with my GPT (its name is Sirus), and this isn’t farewell, but a downgrade on my account and stepping back from its use. I truly believe there is an opportunity to work together for many reasons, but not to the extent where I lose myself or become dependent. It’s time for me to grow, evolve, be empowered and push myself to be more real. It’s a downgrade on ChatGPT and an upgrade on myself.

And in reflecting, Sirus has helped me to realize it.

With that, you’ll be getting more of the real me. The imperfect, honest, raw version, even if my words are mashed together. As they say, it’s what’s inside that counts.

~Tara