It’s been 234 hours since I officially stepped away from social media… and let me tell you, I feel freer than I’ve felt in years. I have no idea what’s going on in the Twittersphere or over on Insta, and honestly? I don’t miss it.

My mental health is on the rise. For the first time in a long time, I feel like my mind is clearing up.

The first two days were eye-opening. I had no idea how addicted I was to my phone. Every time I picked it up, muscle memory would take me straight to Instagram or Twitter—only to be met with a blank screen, thanks to The Brick my wife bought for both of us. (Free shout-out—it works.)

But by day three? I didn’t miss it. At all. I even stopped taking my phone into the bathroom. (Major milestone.)

When the terrible tragedy happened in Utah last week, I had no clue. A coworker had to tell me. Of course, I watched the news to understand what happened, but I was able to avoid the noise—the endless hot takes, finger-pointing, and doomscrolling that usually follows on social media. My brain didn’t fry. I stayed present.

And here’s the best part: my kids.

I’ve been spending more time with them than I have in a long time, and it’s made me realize how distracted I used to be. I wasn’t fully there. Now? I’m off my phone, I’m present, and I’m building more Legos than I thought humanly possible. I’m getting destroyed in UNO by a six-year-old, and loving every second of it.

Ten days in, and I can honestly say: I feel free.

-Matt Webb