I decided to delete all social media apps from my phone for 30 days. Not because I thought social media was evil, but because I realized I was checking Instagram while already scrolling through Twitter. That seemed like a problem.

Week 1: Phantom Vibrations

The first week was weird. I kept reaching for my phone out of habit, only to remember there was nothing to check. I experienced what I can only describe as "phantom notifications"—the feeling that my phone was buzzing when it wasn't.

Week 2: Boredom Returns

I rediscovered boredom. Actual, genuine boredom. Standing in line at the grocery store without anything to scroll through. Waiting for the bus without any feeds to refresh. It was uncomfortable at first, but then... kind of nice?

Week 3: Real Conversations

I started having longer conversations with people. Without the constant urge to document everything, I was more present in the moment. I actually listened to what people were saying instead of thinking about how I would describe the experience online.

Week 4: The Revelation

By the fourth week, I realized that most of what I thought I was missing wasn't actually important. The world kept spinning without my constant observation of it.

I'm back on social media now, but with better boundaries. Sometimes the best way to appreciate something is to take a break from it.