Deleted all internet apps from my phone. And I drove my car off to Northern Pakistan. We camped, cooked tea under snow peaked cliffs sitting beside the rapid water streams.

I used to tell my self - I am a Failure. I was deeply obsessed about social feedback, (follow counts on twitter and likes on facebook). My success definition revolved around “am I growing in winning attention?" Tweet Analytics measured the quality of my life even when I was away. Excessive envy and a lot of confusions. I lacked proper mission. I was Tired.

When I got back, clear headed and more focused than before. I dodged social media. Did some searching for our next event. Spread our next event’s word around. And that was, it. Internet shuts down. Emails disappears. In nearly half an hour to one hour, I stop existing on internet.

After I detached myself from Internet, things became much normal. Conversations shifted to social interactions. Friends became real. Occasional gatherings started happening. In real — I am back on earth from virtual cloud.

You gain 3 things back — when you take back the control of your life from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and News Channels: —

1 — Absolute Focus

I just did a 2 mile run. Did some relaxing exercises. Sitting on a bench. Headphones On. Rain ☔️ in the background. Badly sweating. It is morning. I am doing what I love — Writing.

To make sure, Internet do not get in my way, I use my phone's notes App. Fix some mistakes and publish it.

It feels nice. 2 months back — while internet was eating on my focus, I stopped writing and disappeared.

In a month’s silence, I found staying off-grid is the only way to grow and contribute. Good things started happening. And I am now mostly sitting pumped for the next task in my list.

Internet mostly propagates a feeling that things are not right. The amount and energy we put in, we are still feeling the void. One more fix here, another touch there. And we are in a constant run to compete with the entire internet giant. Which is never possible. It is tiresome and makes us feel inferior.

If I am writing everyday, I am already successful. Because I love it. And It makes me feel Alive. We build focus once we stop competing. We start creating — once we stop listening.

2 — Healthy Relationships

As you disappear, only people who need you, find you. You find people, who appreciate your work. After quitting the internet and phone, you create a filter that purifies FACEBOOK 999 Friends illusion. And shows you the under ~ 10 x friends that really matter to you.

You build a bond with these important people. You talk among them. Some times have dinner with them. Some days teach them to code. Some times fight with them. But you get back to the Original World. Where only people, who did not envy you, sit with you.

It feels great to sit in the new real world. The presence of sincere friends feels great. Today I am sitting and laughing with them.

3 — Good Sleep

One of the most important ingredient towards living a happy life is Sleep. Almost everyone underestimates its importance. If you sleep good — you are good.

The “good” is all things that you want to see fixed in your life. If you are addicted, sleep good. If you are constantly in a fight with your colleagues, sleep. If you can’t get rid of a discomforting thought, sleep.

There are various strategies to improve our performance. Chose which works best for you. But make sure you are taking enough rest that keeps you pumped and happy. Anything that spoils your routine, is damaging to your success. Sleep is one hurdle I found we mostly undervalue. Gradually the need builds and we end up compromising our work ethics / quality and flow states.

Conclusion

That shiny product we create, compromising our immediate social life, is an illusion.

If you want to work everyday on your Life mission. The first thing you got to find is — LIFE MISSION. It is that simple.

How do you find it?

By staying away from the noise and thinking about your LIFE . Internet is that noise that constantly bangs in your head, “you are wrong”.

I say — Shut it for once.

Say to its face… No ! You are Wrong. I am Right. I love what I do. And I will do what I love.