As pretty much everyone who’s ever tried to do a digital detox learns: weening yourself off social media is tough.
After all, social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok aren’t just backed by billions of marketing dollars that help make them ubiquitous.
They’re also designed by software engineers to maximize the number of dopamine hits you receive while using them, making refreshing your Facebook feed almost as addictive as pouring quarters into a casino’s slot machine (and about as productive).
Fortunately, while breaking your social media habit may not be easy, it’s certainly not impossible.
And there’s at least one person who’s managed to take his digital detox to a whole new level.
Cal Newport is a professor a computer science professor at Georgetown University and the author of multiple books, including Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, Digital Minimalism and A World Without Email.
And as he explained on an episode of The School of Greatness podcast, the key to finally breaking social media’s spell lies in recognizing what you do – and crucially, don’t – need.
