Just finished reading "Digital Minimalism" by Cal Newport. I had providentially discovered him on YouTube while I was contemplating lessening tech's influence on my life because our new pastor's super low-tech lifestyle piqued my interest. After watching some vids, it became apparent.
3 weeks ago: I deleted my Instagram account. I cut social media use by 95%. I unsubscribed to over 1400 YouTube channels. I deleted 90,000 emails. I streamlined my phone to one screen of apps by using folders and deleting a bunch. I took FB off my phone. I stopped using my gaming laptop and bought a simpler one for word processing and writing poetry. I have no interest in video games anymore. It feels surreal.
Yesterday, I deactivated my FB account. I still have X because it's not enticing to me, and it doesn't seem to have targeted ads and has no "thirst traps" at all(FB is so evil- their targeting is diabolically specific). I also read Wendell Berry's book "Why I Am Not Going to Buy a Computer" which also has the essay "Feminism, the Body, and the Machine", which was thought-provoking.
Now that I've done that, I will see how life changes in the coming months. I am resolute. I believe this will ameliorate one of my medical issues(which I read a whole book on yesterday[I didn't know one existed, it's pretty uncommon]). I took notes while reading these books, around 18 pages. I did this to increase retention and process ideas. I've been naturally inclined to pray more lately, which is unusual. I've also been feeling emotions a lot more, but not in a concerning way. I think heavy social media use flattens your emotions and also your empathy(for me, significantly).
My fractured attention will heal over time, I believe. I just have to be intentional about implementing these ideas.
I don't have many friends on here, by choice, so not many people will see this, but that's fine. Next, I am going to read Joel Beeke's "How to Lead Your Family".