‘I deleted my Twitter account’: eight readers on how they avoid digital burnout
Screen time can feel all-consuming. But there are ways to combat it. Guardian readers explain the rules, hobbies and habits that help them maintain healthy lives offline
- I accidentally left my phone on Do Not Disturb – it was bliss!
- I listen to podcasts while cleaning or knitting
- I deleted my Twitter and Instagram accounts’
- Leaving home without my phone feels almost mind-altering
- My friend and I compare weekly screen time reports
- Years ago, I began to phase out screens at home
- I don’t take my phone into the bedroom
- People buy me jigsaws for birthdays and Christmas
There was a moment in my life when I realized I was mentally burned out because when I read books, my brain couldn’t create images anymore.
I analyzed my time and found myself in front of a screen almost all the time, without breaks. Due to my job, I’m already forced to be in front of two screens, so I started with my phone gradually, muting people on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter.
It wasn’t enough, so I reduced my use of Facebook and only shared music videos on my profile. If I had any notifications upon entering, I paid attention to them at that moment. I abandoned Twitter a while ago, and I have no regrets.
Today, my phone doesn’t emit any sound or show any lights unless someone calls me directly. I only use it for some recreational time that I deem worthwhile, and I check WhatsApp notifications when I plan to change the playlist I’m listening to.
I’m still somewhat mentally burned out, but I genuinely feel happier.
I deleted Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, and Tumbler. When I signed up for Lemmy, I only followed 10 communities, and if i want to follow another, I have to get rid of one I already follow. With the issues Lemmy has been having, makes it easy to not spend too much time doom scrolling too. Though I’ve limited myself to only 15 min, 2 or 3 times per day regardless.
Went on a 16 day screen fast years ago and felt great afterwards. Had the energy to do things and focus. I still got addicted to the internet again, however over the years the enticement it once had is nearly gone.
- use Reddit for hobby related questions passively.
- use Tumblr passively to look at art a few times a month.
- use nitter passively a few times a month for artists and streamers and indie companies.
- use some forums passively also a few times a month.
- got rid of twitch because it got boring and hasn’t improved since I got rid of it.
- YouTube is the biggest sucker but my watch time is probably 2-3 hours compared to 14hrs a few years ago. Noticed that people are posting even less and most stuff I see is from 1 week–1 month-1 year ago. Actively staying off to get rid of the left over addiction and have an rss feed for any important stuff.
- I started Mastodon and Lemmy last month. I use it everyday for less than an hour and post sporadically.
