CHAPTER 19
Digital Detox
Cliff had always known that social media had its downsides—endless scrolling, the barrage of notifications, and the constant comparison to the highlight reels of others' lives. But he didn’t fully grasp just how much it had ensnared him until he stumbled upon The Social Dilemma. The documentary laid it all bare, featuring former employees from major tech companies spilling the beans on how social media was designed to be addictive. The real kicker? The platforms weren’t just about keeping you connected to others; they were about keeping you hooked. The longer you stayed on, the more ads they could shove in your face, and the more data they could mine from your every click and swipe.
One line in the movie hit Cliff particularly hard: “If you’re not paying for the product, then you are the product.” It was as if a light bulb flicked on in his head. All those hours lost to mindless scrolling weren’t just a waste of time—they were profit in someone else’s pocket. And the cost to him? His peace of mind, his attention, and sometimes, his self-esteem.
The stats in the documentary were sobering: increased social media use correlated with higher rates of depression and suicide, especially among younger users. It made sense to Cliff. He’d often find himself in a downward spiral, opening up his feed to “escape” his problems, only to see everyone else seemingly living their best lives. It was like throwing fuel on a fire that was already burning inside him. The reality, of course, was that these highlight reels were just that—highlights. People didn’t post about their bad days or struggles. They posted the best angles, the happiest moments, the filtered versions of their lives. It was a skewed reality that left Cliff feeling like he was the only one not living a charmed life.
After watching The Social Dilemma, Cliff knew he needed to break free. The first step? A full-on digital detox. He deleted all the social media apps from his phone. “Goodbye, Instagram. See ya, Facebook,” he muttered as he purged his digital life. Notifications? Off. Screen time? Plummeted. It was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. For the first time in years, he didn’t feel the compulsion to check his phone every few minutes. Instead of scrolling, he rediscovered the simple joy of reading. He dove into historical fiction, getting lost in stories that spanned centuries and continents, far more satisfying than any social media feed.
But even with books to fill his time, there were still moments of quiet where his mind would wander, and the old anxieties would creep back in. It was during these times that Cliff realized he needed more than just a distraction—he needed a way to manage his thoughts, to find some inner calm. Meditation seemed like the obvious answer, but it was one thing to know about it and another to practice it. Cliff wasn’t sure where to start, but he knew it was the next step in his journey to reclaiming his peace of mind… a journey we’ll explore next…
