Digital Detox
Earlier this year, after reading Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism, I decided to go on a digital detox for a period of 30 days. I stopped reading my usual news outlets, minimized smartphone usage, and avoided social media entirely.
I really enjoyed the silence.
Now that this period is over, I’ve started visiting some news sites again, although in a much more focused and targeted way. My smartphone stays tucked away most of the time, with notifications off or Do Not Disturb enabled. Even though my smartphone use was already minimal, intentionally keeping it out of sight and reach helped me reduce distractions and maintain better focus.
Cutting Social Media
When it comes to social media, I went one step further: I deleted all my accounts. Reddit, Mastodon, LinkedIn, Discord, and whatnot—all gone for good, and I’m not looking back.
I was never a heavy social media user to begin with. Still, over time, a surprising number of accounts had accumulated, each offering questionable value. More often than not, they led to distraction and procrastination rather than supporting meaningful work, learning, or interaction with others.
This is not an argument that these platforms provide no value at all. They clearly do; otherwise, they would not attract and retain so many users. Their mechanisms and incentives are well understood. However, I largely agree with Newport’s core argument: marginal value alone is not a sufficient justification for adopting or retaining a digital tool. If a tool consumes attention without providing significant benefit, its net effect may still be negative.
Leaving LinkedIn Behind
Deleting my LinkedIn profile was the most difficult decision, as it has the greatest professional impact. More than a decade of accumulated professional and academic contacts carries a certain weight. Letting go of the fear of missing out wasn’t easy: the hypothetical recruiter with the perfect opportunity, or the concern that not having a profile might reflect poorly during a job search. These risks may or may not be real, but I’m willing to accept them.
The key for me was some honest reflection about what value these tools actually provided. The answer was: close to zero. I realized that I could not recall more than a handful of genuinely meaningful or useful interactions on any of these platforms. Perhaps there was occasional feedback on a blog post, but that was about it. What I do recall is a steady drain on time and attention. In that light, the decision became easier.
Where Attention Goes
Your mileage may vary, but for now I prefer to invest my time and attention elsewhere: into work that compounds, projects that are intrinsically rewarding, and social interactions in the real world. For me, this is less about abstinence and more about intention: choosing where my attention goes, and creating the conditions for sustained focus and meaningful work.
If any of this resonates with you, Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism is well worth reading. Trying a short, time-boxed digital detox can be a useful experiment to question habits and discover what matters to you. With the New Year just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to try.
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