Ed Sheeran has recently announced that he is taking some time off from social media to see the world. This decision came after the singer revealed he is banned from too much air travel to avoid further damage to his eardrum.

Sheeran took to his Instagram to tell his 5.5 million followers that he is taking a break from his phone, emails and all forms of social media for a while so he could travel the world. The "Thinking Out Loud" singer admitted that for the past five years, he has so far only seen the world "through a screen" and not through his eyes.

"So I'm taking this opportunity of me not having to be anywhere or do anything to travel the world and see everything I missed. To my family and friends, if you love me you will understand me buggering off for a bit, to my fans, the 3rd album is on its way and is the best think I have made thus far," Sheeran wrote on his Instagram.

He added that he'll be back on social media next autumn. Sheeran also sent his gratitude to his amazing fans.

His announcement was met with mixed reactions from his followers. While some wished him best on his decision, others weren't so happy to see him be off social media.

One fan, named d.d. sachez, wrote how it's going "to be a tough year" without the singer online. Meanwhile, another fan, named gemmed, wrote, "him too wtf my life is ending." An Instagram user with the handle name alice.lavigne was more sympathetic with Sheeran's decision and wrote, "It will be hard for the first stage but then you will find the world is bigger without phone."

Sheeran's decision to stay off social media for a while to see the world came after he revealed he has to undergo surgery in January. The British crooner admitted during an interview with Australi'as radio station Nova FM that he had damaged his eardrum from a yacht accident earlier this year in Spain.

The "A Team" singer said he had taken a bad fall into the sea when he jumped off from the yacht. He didn't realize that he damaged his eardrum until he had taken another swim and all the sea water flowed through his ear.

Sheeran recalled the painful experience and said he needs to have his skin grafted. The operation means he is not allowed to fly for a while to prevent further damaging his eardrum. However, his recent Instagram post states otherwise.