Chapter 1: My Break from Meta's Grip

Nearly three years ago, I made the spontaneous decision to leave Facebook, Instagram, and all other Meta-owned platforms. Initially, this choice raised eyebrows among friends and family who were puzzled by my absence. However, it didn't take long for those who truly mattered to reconnect with me. I was still here; I simply had chosen a different path. Gradually, I noticed a shift in my daily routine.

With Meta's latest attempt to capture our attention through its new service “Threads,” I find myself perplexed by the over 100 million users who jumped on board. How many more facades must these attention-seeking entities create before we acknowledge that we are not users, but rather the product being exploited?

If you're among the 7.7 billion people yet to join Threads, allow me to share some of the positive changes I experienced after distancing myself from Zuckerberg and his empire.

1. I access news from trained journalists who can differentiate between fact and fiction.
2. I limit my news consumption to once in the morning.
3. I’m often the first to venture out for a bike ride or run.
4. I find out about my brother's friend’s sister’s baby’s scraped knee much later than others.
5. I refrain from liking posts.
6. I also avoid disliking anything.
7. I don't share content.
8. I articulate my feelings using precise language relevant to the moment.
9. I spend vacations observing experiences instead of photographing them for others.
10. I no longer see the vacation snapshots of others.
11. My writing has flourished, leading to more requests than ever.
12. I have no interest in Wordle.
13. I enjoy watching my cat when she does something amusing.
14. I give her affection when she’s particularly charming.
15. I reach out to friends to check on their well-being.
16. In these conversations, they often reveal things they wouldn’t share online.
17. I boast about my achievements in person and accept the repercussions.
18. I’m oblivious to how my ex-partners are faring.
19. I don't dwell on the opinions of strangers.
20. At night, I fall asleep dreaming of genuine connections.

More insights on stepping away from digital distractions can be found here.

The first video, "No Thanks—Why I'm Avoiding Instagram Threads," discusses the reasons behind the decision to stay away from Meta's new platform and the implications of social media on our well-being.

The second video, "THREADS? NO THANK YOU!" explores the negative aspects of joining Threads and why users should consider their choices carefully.