Why I Deleted Social Media Apps

I did a dopamine cleanse — here’s what happened.

Photo by visuals on Unsplash

Social media is a bubbling pot of dopamine. It might feel good when you stick your hand in, but that burn will take weeks to heal.

Words like bubbling pot and burn are dramatic, but the effects of being connected 24–7 are undeniable. We scroll and our brain gets that sweet hit of dopamine that screams, “Yes! More of this!” It affects our sleep, self-esteem, and even makes our creative pursuits seem like a hassle — after all, who needs a dopamine hit from that anymore?

“Distracted from distraction by distraction”― T.S. Eliot

This isn’t a ho-hum all social media is terrible lecture — if TikTok didn’t exist, my fridge organization would be in shambles — this is about my personal level of consumption. Is it quiet? Play some music. Am I bored? Scroll. Uncomfortable? Text someone. It was a reflex — fighting off any chance to sit still and be alone with myself.

Photo by Diogo Nunes on Unsplash

I decided to delete social media apps and games from my phone. Anything that took a large chunk of free time: Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, even good ol’ Solitaire. The only entertainment that…