It feels cliché to say, but pulling my consciousness back into myself has given me the freedom to contemplate – like, to an uncomfortable extent – for the first time in years.

For many of us, we have unwittingly allowed outside sources to control our internal dialogue and choices. This isn’t all bad, of course. Heeding the advice of those around you can be of great value. But in 2026, we are being manipulated by technology beyond what is natural or healthy.

There are playbooks on this, there are industry whistleblowers. We know that social media is designed to hit our dopamine reward centres, and a quick Google will tell you as much.

Somewhere on my shelf lies Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal. Earlier in my career I’d penned a goal to become a Product Manager and from that time remains a number of books, ranging from advice on making a successful startup, to how to be a “good” Product Manager.

Perhaps I should do a ceremonious burn of this toxic mess, this representation of the spiral down the toilet bowl we are taking, as human nature – evolved to help us survive – is now driving us to destroy the plant and our health for the sake of “growth”.

In more positive news, I’ve been reading The DOSE Effect by TJ Powers and a few learnings from my reading so far are rolling around the front of my mind.

I take no responsibility for completely butchering and simplifying what TJ explores in the books, this is my memory from a few months back

• Our brains are muscles, and while doing the hard stuff can be incredibly challenging at first, over time it becomes easier. This goes for learning to focus, learning to have self-control, and all the other good things
• Our environment can be set up better for our success. This includes simplifying our phones, changing our lighting, keeping a clean space
• It’s not our fault that we are so drawn to our smart phones and social. media. They tap right into our lizard brains, which is a feature and not a bug.

I’ve recently noticed myself spiralling back into a severe social media and phone addiction and I know deep down I’ve using the escape of social media to avoid doing uncomfortable things and feeling those uncomfortable feelings.

So I did it. I deleted the damn apps.

Facebook

Instagram

Reddit

While it’s been barely a week, I’ve noticed a significant difference in the calmness of my mind, and a awareness of feeling bored. Like, truly bored.

With this new found boredom, I’m starting to explore what I want to do for play. Not life admin, housework, or other such commitments. Not what I should be doing to move forwards or whatever bullshit I’ve been socialised into caring about.

But what do I like to do for fun, for no reason but enjoyment?

Right now that is reading, specifically Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. Seeing the cover and hearing the recommendation, I knew it was a bit wild and unexpected. But it has eclypsed anything I could have imagined and I can barely put the series down. In the space of the week, I’m 2.5 books in and now the proud owner of a Kobo e-reader.

So if you’re after something enjoyable, accessible (free from the library), and an easy read, then I’d recommending giving Dungeon Crawler Carl a try. Don’t read a review or synopsis, you really want to go in blind. I know you’ll thank me.