The one change that didn’t work: I deleted all my social media apps – and found myself bored

I really did have more time on my hands when I quit addictive online platforms. But I missed connecting with friends and discovering unexpected inspiration

A year into the pandemic, in early 2021, I was spending most of my time online. I sat and I scrolled - on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - letting the latest horrifying news wash over me, or watching videos of cute animals, or messaging bored friends about our mutual states of crisis.

The more I scrolled, the more all-consuming it became. I found myself instinctively reaching for my phone whenever I could. I would write a paragraph of a piece with a tight deadline, then have a browse on Twitter as a treat. I would watch TV and simultaneously check Instagram during scenes that lost my attention; even in bed, I would scroll to get to sleep and wake up to my phone's blue light.