What I’m Cutting Out, What I’m Keeping, and Why It Matters
If you caught the last video, you know I take three weeks off every December. And this year, I’m adding something new—something I think a lot of us could benefit from:
A full seven-day social media detox.
No Facebook.
No Instagram.
No TikTok.
No Reddit.
No YouTube.
(Well… with one exception. We’ll get to that.)
This isn’t about being anti-technology. It’s about stepping back from the things that drain us, distract us, and—if we’re being honest—mess with our emotional balance far more than they help it.
So today I want to walk through why I’m doing this, what the rules are, and what I’m replacing the mindless scrolling with.
The Problem: Using Our Phones Like Emotional Slot Machines
We all understand the draw: nearly every piece of information in the world sits inside a little glass rectangle in your pocket.
But more and more, I’m seeing people who don’t use their phones for information—they use them for entertainment, or worse, for an emotional jolt.
You’ve probably seen it too:
- People yelling at their phones while scrolling through Facebook
- Eyes wide and pulses high as they read something outrageous
- The constant cycle of getting angry, scared, indignant, or superior
It’s the dopamine roller coaster, and it works just like a drug. Social media companies want you hooked. That’s their business model.
And news outlets aren’t much better.
The News Media Machine
Liberal outlets dig into every detail until viewers worry something world-ending will happen if they don’t keep watching—fear of missing out is addictive, too.
Either way, the goal is the same:
Keep you glued to the screen.
Keep the clicks coming.
Keep the ad revenue flowing.
None of that is good for your peace of mind.
When I find myself scrolling Reddit looking for the next interesting or infuriating thing, that’s when I know it’s time to shut the whole thing down.
What I’m Cutting Out—and What I’m Not
For seven days during my December break, here’s the rule:
No social media consumption.
No feeds.
No timelines.
No comment sections.
But I’m not cutting out all entertainment. The point is to detox, not sit in a cave.
Permitted:
- Movies (including free older films on YouTube—only movies)
- Old TV shows I already own
- Video games, especially older ones from my childhood
- Writing, recording, planning future content
- Recording the detox experience for videos (posted after the fact)
- Any office-related communication handled entirely by AJ and Alani
My phone isn’t being smashed with a hammer—it’s just staying off the social media treadmill.
What I’m Doing Each Day
To avoid the “now what?” problem, I created a seven-day structure. Each day has one main activity that actually restores energy instead of draining it.
Day 1: Read a Star Trek Novel
I’ve had a particular Star Trek book sitting on my shelf, signed by the author, and I’ve been saving it for this break. Day one is reading, relaxing, and easing into the detox.
Day 2: Classic Video Game Day
The original Legend of Zelda—yes, the 1986 NES version.
I still remember enough that I might even manage a speed run.
Day 3: Unconventional Christmas Movie Day
My annual favorites:
- Die Hard (yes, it is a Christmas movie)
- The Crossing with Jeff Daniels
- Not holiday movies in the traditional sense—but they’re my December staples.
Day 4: Cleaning Out the Closet
The real one.
Not the metaphorical one.
Anything I haven’t worn in a year goes. And if time allows, more cleanup elsewhere in the house.
Day 5: A Day at the Mall(s)
Barnes & Noble.
Laptop.
Coffee.
Writing a few notes for the game plan heading into the new year.
Day 6: The Creative Afternoon at a Quiet Bar
Strange? Maybe.
Productive? Absolutely.
Some of my best outlines come from sitting at a bar in the quiet afternoon hours—drink, notebook, appetizers, and uninterrupted thinking. I’ll be brainstorming the next book (the one replacing the working title In-Law Protection Planning).
Day 7: Cook a Turkey
This becomes the protein for the week to follow.
Yes, the technique will be recorded.
Yes, it will be too late for Thanksgiving 2025.
Yes, you can save it for next year.
Why a Detox Matters
The core issue isn’t technology. It’s attention.
Social media is engineered to hijack your focus and your emotions. Once you’re on the ride, hours disappear—and you’re left irritated, exhausted, and with nothing meaningful accomplished.
Fighting with strangers online doesn’t improve your life.
Watching outrage videos doesn’t help your community.
Counting likes doesn’t build real-world momentum.
If posting helps people, wonderful.
But the goal should never be the clicks.
It should be the value.
What I Expect—and What I Hope
Is the detox going to be hard? Probably.
We’re all more hooked than we think.
But I expect it to be freeing.
And I hope that when the seven days end, I’ll bring some of that freedom with me into the rest of the year—not a total shutdown, but a healthier relationship with the phone.
Less reflexive scrolling.
More intentional living.
Try Your Own Version
You don’t have to take seven days.
Start with one.
Or an evening.
Or the first hour after waking up.
Anything that helps you reclaim your attention is worth trying.