End of 2024, I was in Japan. My first long solo trip. I spent my time in Tokyo and Osaka, recording videos, taking photos etc.
My plan was take a flight from Osaka to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Sharing everything on Instagram and Twitter, and while waiting on airport I noticed something. Screen time app showed me how much I been using my phone recently, around 5-6 hours, which normally around 3-4 hours. Right away checked which applications are the most used one on that one week, Instagram, Twitter, Brave...
On plane, I started to think about it;
- why am I sharing my everything?
- am I in this trip for travelling or showing my social media friends?
- should I take a break from social media?
While our plane landing on Ho Chi Minh City, my phone already nuked the all social media applications, I was ready for dopamine detox, not quitting social media.
First couple days
Firstly, nobody called me and ask why did you disappeared on social media. That was a big wake up call for myself, people don't care much, because algorithm doesn't work that way.
Not gonna lie, I been struggling a bit. Putting my hand on my pocket and taking my phone but there is nothing to do on my phone, which is very weird feeling. Maybe I programmed my brain that way and was giving myself a reward or something.
But in that moment I still believing that I will use social media again, but maybe a few months later.
New city, new questions
After not enjoyed couple days in Ho Chi Minh, I decided to move Nha Trang, which is one of my favorite city in Vietnam.
Did a schedule, daily working, swimming, walking around the city etc. Enjoyed my time, even stayed one more week because of it and started to think about it, do I really need social media? At that time, I already used to it and even started to observe people around me, endless scrolling one platform to another.
Decided, not gonna install or use social media.
After one year
Big question is: Am I happy?
For myself, 100% YES. It was the one of the best decision of my life. One of the coolest thing is whenever you wake up, you don't stay in bed and wasting your morning. Seriously, one of the worst habit.
Carpe Diem, seize the day. Our time in this earth very valuable.