I recently spent a month offline (with the exception of where my job required). Internet addiction is something I have become much more conscious of in recent years and I found that the first few days are very much in alignment with the article. The problem is that after the initial buzz wears off there is still that innate tendency to dwindle time away and distract yourself just with other means.

Was I more focussed and aware, yes I would say so - but it's not as if I suddenly become super productive with this new focus all of a sudden and would pursue every project or idea I ever dreamed up in my head. What I found was that initially I become productive but it was more from the excitement of moving away from the internet. What happened after is that my mind found other ways to distract, some better than others; for example I read a lot more books than usual however I would also just spend time doing nothing at all or watching pointless TV. It was enjoyable to sit and actually concentrate on something for once. I spent more time outside and that initial anxiety of not know what was going on (FOMO) slowly started to fade as I realised the insignificance of it upon my life. I think the biggest difference though is that I felt happier without the internet in my life.

The return is an almighty crash, that proved the addictive nature upon me. My screen time shot through the roof, I tried to check up on everything I had missed, I felt shame at just how strong the grip was and how little control I had over it. It tapered off after a couple of days and I am better than I was before, more aware of the strong hold that looms over me. I try to use leave my phone away in the evenings to avoid that spontaneous reach for the next dopamine hit. It works, but I think I will do another detox for a longer period of time soon.

It's a funny thing, I think the internet has done wonderful things for me, it's certainly given me a fantastic career that I would otherwise never have had. It's given me a wealth of knowledge and entertainment over the years - but like most things in its nature it came with a hefty price.