I used to be a social media addict and had even accepted the term addict for some time. But mid-last year, Facebook flagged one of my posts for violating its "platform guidelines"—and that was my breaking point.

That moment made me realize something deeper: it wasn’t just the endless feed algorithms shaping my behavior, but also the platform "guidelines" themselves—subtly reinforcing a habit designed to keep me engaged for advertisers.

So I quit. Completely. What Worked for Me-

WHAT I STOPPED:

1. Deactivated my Facebook and Instagram accounts. Deleted my Twitter account.

2. Removed all social media apps (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) from my phone.

3. Deleted Chrome from my phone and switched to my OS’s default browser (Safari) in signed-out mode.

4. Kept only one messaging app—Telegram.

WHAT I STARTED

1. Installed News Feed Eradicator on my computer (Chrome). I can still check messages and notifications (e.g., LinkedIn), but I don’t let the feed hijack my focus.

2. Went outside more—leaving my phone behind.

RESULTs:

1. Surprisingly, I think about sex less often throughout the day.

2. My close relationships have improved—I now have more meaningful time for a few important people instead of spreading myself thin over thousands.

3. I worry less—both in frequency and intensity.

4. I’ve regained my ability to read novels for hours—which, for me, requires the longest chain of attention.

5. My perspective is changing. The way I see the world feels different. I’ll need more time to articulate this fully, but I can sense the shift happening.