OFF-SOCIAL Day 2

I've been off social medi for two days. Nothing really seems to have changed yet. I'm still using the apps for about 10-15 minutes per day. I don't find it interesting to check what others are posting anymore. It's amazing what 2 days can do for you. 

I guess I'm turning into an obnoxious person who only cares about himself and his world. I know it sounds harsh, but the deep truth behind this whole disconnect is to stop caring too much about what others do or think about me and focus on what is right in front of me.

Another very interesting questions I'm asking myself is: What is the world. I deal with a lot of philosophical questions in my line of work when I'm juggling assessments and helping people find purpose. And this experiment is coming in handy. To think that 20-30 years ago, social media didn't exist and the realm of realit yanyone would find themselves in would be a group of a few hundred people, if so. none of them would feel bad or left out because they were not known by 3000 people in a different country. Thats a new phenomenom and one we should most likely avoind immersing ourselves into. I'm reminded of the Dumbar numbers and how it makes complete sense that we feel comfortable in groups between 100-200. Not too small to feel isolated and in danger and not big enough for me to hide in the crowd.

So what is my world? Who really cares? And what about the people actually using social media to feel a gap? Is their world really a sphere that big? I think about young influencers with a few hundred thousand subscribers. Well, first of all a 20 year old got nothing to teach anyone. They're just starting to live their lives with a few very rare exceptions. And second, how dangerous would it be to take advice form someone who has not been tested by time? They're not ready for that influence, nor is anyone ready to be influenced by such young and premature minds? And what about the dopamine hits, the chemical dependance generated by bright screens and short buzzes from likes and comments? That's all fake? That's a very vivid image of a Matrix, just like the movie. We're being highly manipulated. 

Maybe I'm just venting because the withdrawal is real. We shall see tomorrow...

The absurdity of all this for me is this: It's still my second day and I haven't posted anything, haven't interacted much other than the 1 post per day with one very short paragraph to sumarize what I'm feeling. That goes on my instagram stories and sometimes on twitter (X). My engagement more than trippled. Are people that stupid? 

I've been posting content with high value for years, when I say I'm stopping, the algorith (the crowd) is enjoying my post... Maybe because it is polarizing. Maybe because I'm just saying and doing what a lot of them want to say and do it, but if the latter is the case, why would they be looking for help to do it on social media, the very worst place to do so? It's like me asking the drug dealers advice on how to stop being an addict...

I don't get it, I'm literally confused. And by my experience, I'm sure if I start posting more content again, the engagement will drop.

Well, I hope the people reading the stories will read these blogs too. I'm thinking about riding this out, putting some thoughts together on books such as Deep work and Digital Minimalist by Cal Newport and maybe create something that help people quit social media and launch their online business with real focus and purpose. Let's see where this leads us all.

As per my feelings: I'm lightheaded, not really being able to focus for long periods. I think it's the detox phase. But I can feel how things are shifting in my head. Even the practice of Jiu Jitsu is better. If I do up a list of other areas of my life that in less than 48 hours showed signs of improving you will think I'm lying or making this up to talk this up. I'm not, but I'll leave the list for a bit later during the week just to make sure I can do it without relapsing.

I've started reading a few books to back my research while I'm at it. Three of them are: Deep Wrok, Digital Minimalism, both from Cal Newport and The Anxious Generation by Johnathan Haidt.

Well, this is it for day 2. This is exciting. I wish I had done this before.

Stay off guys.