To Take Back Control of Your Life, Delete These 10 Apps Today

“When the phone was tied with a wire, humans were free.”

We live in a world tethered to the convenience of our smartphones, but at what cost? Our attention is fragmented, our time monopolized, and our lives dictated by pings, dings, and endless scrolling.

The statistics are alarming. The average American checks their phone once every ten minutes—and spends 5 hours and 24 minutes on their mobile device. There are a lot of reasons for the mental health crisis in the world today, but I can’t help but think our mobile devices are contributing to it.

It’s a bold move, but if you genuinely want to reclaim your life, it’s time to try something different.

It’s time to make some drastic changes.

Here are 10 types of apps to delete today to liberate your existence:

1. Social Media Giants (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter): They’re designed to addict us. Delete them and rediscover enriching conversations.

2. Email Apps: Remove constant connectivity to work and spam by checking emails only via your computer.

3. Amazon: Eliminate one-click shopping to create a thoughtful buffer between impulse and purchase.

4. Apps with In-App Purchases: Avoid the subtle nudge to spend for a ‘better’ experience and save money.

5. News Apps: Choose dedicated time slots to catch up on news, rather than a constant stream of stress.

6. Dating Apps: If they’re more anxiety-inducing than exciting, it’s time for a break.

7. Streaming Services: Limit endless entertainment options to avoid analysis paralysis and time lost.

8. Fitness Trackers: Focus on the joy of exercise, not just metrics and streaks.

9. Productivity Apps: Simplify your productivity tools to avoid ironic procrastination.

10. Food Delivery: Encourage cooking at home and healthier choices by removing the too-convenient option.

Deleting these apps isn’t about removing the activity from your life. You will still shop, date, answer email, exercise, and watch television. This is about becoming more disciplined and attentive to when we actually do them.

This also isn’t about shunning technology but about choosing where to focus your attention deliberately.

It’s about intentionality and being present in your own life.

You may not delete all the apps on this list. But if you decide to delete some, you may just find that the world opens up in new, more meaningful ways once you get your life back.