I deleted my social media apps because they were turning me into an idiot

Giving up Facebook and Instagram made me realise I was using them to block out real emotions with likes. But I couldn't help going back

In January I deleted all the social media apps from my phone because they were turning me into an idiot.

For months I'd been avoiding engaging with anything challenging or anxiety inducing. Worried about where I'd be living next year? Dive into Instagram. Tax bill prickling at the back of my mind? Open Facebook. That grief I thought I'd processed piercing at me again? Disappear into the realm of likes and follows and push the feelings away. Distract. Binge. Escape.