Here’s how to dejunk your digital life


1. Social media veto
In his much-hyped book of this year, Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now, author and computer scientist Jaron Lanier argues that the process of becoming hooked on to social media is “an elusive mirage”, and that it is an addiction.

2. Apps that help
Countless options, such as Moment and Forest, help smartphone users restrict usage of their phones. Flipd, for instance, lets you set goals for “no phone” time using two options: the Light or Full Lock mode, the former allowing access for essential activities.’

3. Is there a problem?
If you are unsure of your relationship with your phone, take the Smartphone Compulsion Test, a 15-question survey that asks you about your screen-time behaviour. By the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction, at virtual-addiction.com

4. A curated guide to slow living
Neeti Mehra’s blog, beejliving.com, is a little over a year old, and places an emphasis on mindful living within the Indian context. With stunning visuals, she takes on topics such as conscious eating in a digital world, and living more closely with nature.

5. Eight-day data detox
This free programme gives you quick and easy-to-follow resources to go on a digital detox. Presented by Mozilla (yes, the people behind Firefox) and the Tactical Technology Collective, it even suggests activities to strengthen your data privacy. datadetox.myshadow.org

6. The unplugging
Television personality Jedediah Bila’s recent book, #DoNotDisturb: How I Ghosted My Cell Phone to Take Back My Life discusses how all-consuming the device has become, even suggesting that romantic relationships have suffered because partners might be too distracted to get to know each other.

7. You ’gram it, but do you remember it?
A 2018 study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, found that, in a sample group, participants who did not record or post any images from a particular event on social media remembered it more vividly and clearly than those who did.

8. Living that slug life
With breathtaking images from the road, Goa-based Sudhanshu and Sonali, the two minds behind this website, share stories about their long “bikepacking” trips and travels, with insight on how to find equilibrium while on the road. On oursluglife.com

9. Zen doodler
This whimsical and pensive Instagram handle presents Winnie the Pooh-esque wisdom to its followers. Molly Hahn, the illustrator behind the account, started a daily meditative sketch practice in 2011 after a series of traumatic life events. @buddhadoodles

10. AI-powered guru
Joining the ranks of other mindfulness apps like Calm and Headspace is Aura, which provides a range of quick and easy meditation guides, short stories, and even life coaching sessions that can help you redirect your screen time towards something more relaxing.

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