What I've Learned From A Social Media Blackout

Wisdom, Lessons, Learnings

I am on a trip. Before I went on the trip, I found myself spending what felt like too much useless time on social media and news websites, scrolling and hate reading. The websites included Substack, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, and The New York Times. In an effort to reclaim some of my time and give myself the ability to focus and think, I made a pact to myself to try to stop the constant firehose of information I’d received for 15 years. To achieve this, I blocked all of these sites and apps on all of my devices for the entirety of the month I’m away. It’s been the most incredible journey, and I would recommend it to anyone. And here are some of the beautiful truths and takeaways that I’ve gathered:

1. I have instantly become irrelevant socially

Yup. That’s right—I’m thrilled that I’ve lost all of the social relevance I’ve clawed from others and hoarded for myself these last 15 years. I’m free of the burden of being considered, invited, thought of, thought about. Instead, I float free in a sexless intellectual void, sans connections.

2. I’m uneducated about the state of the world

Part of the impetus for doing this was a growing grinding fear of the descent of America into authoritarian corpocracy. Now the fear simply growls in my stomach, unhooked by any pesky truth or news story. Just a constant growling voice, saying Don’t you have a duty to stay informed? The only thing that quiets it are treats and goodies from the antique lands I find myself in. And I love it!

3. I’m less attractive and fashionable

Yay! A lack of exposure to trends and inspo has drained me of the ability to wear clothes well or look good. Huzzah!

4. I lost touch with everyone I know

🤷🏾 All the people I love and care about—what are they up to? Fuck if I know! Screw those guys, btw!

5. I don’t have anything fun to do on my phone anymore

Waiting in line, chilling on the train, waiting for someone in a plaza. Now I just stare blankly into space. And I guess it’s better. Reclaiming my attention, letting myself just be. I like that stuff. I don’t find it boring or a waste of time.

6. I’m closed off to new connections

It’s nice to live in a world where you can’t flirt or be flirted with through social media. It’s preferable. I prefer it.

7. Everything that’s left to focus on is really boring

Finally! I’ve trained myself to focus, which means I can spend my time doing really boring stuff—the stuff I’ve wanted to do for ages, that I always thought I just didn’t have the focus for because of social media, but would be super interesting once I got into it. But it turns out that stuff is still boring.

8. I don’t watch any funny little videos and therefore have lost my sense of humor

Self explanatory.

9. I can’t find cool cafés, bars, or pop-ups

Yay! No Instagram to find cool stuff means that I have to rely on my 5 senses to guide me to beautiful restaurants called stuff like “Le Bistro sur La Seine” where a man stands outside wearing a billboard menu and screaming at passing American women. Finally, freedom from taste!

10. I got really annoying about it

The best part—I can’t shut up about how much I’m missing, even though I chose to miss it. This has made everyone that has to interact with me love me even more, and I’ve become much more interesting.

Nabeel’s Footnote

Imagine this: you provide two (2) directors with one (1) script. How different would the movies be? Would one be a masterpiece, the other a two-pack of ass? Interesting thought exercise, no?

Now imagine this: one guy is so up his own ass that he forgets he’s walking on well-trodden ground. Imagine that