This article is the twelfth in a series of deadly cuts I’ve experienced and my proposed solutions.
Digital Fat
Ever opened your phone to check one thing and found yourself doom scrolling through endless feeds an hour later? You’ve just encountered digital fat, the bog of information that litters our digital lives without zero value.
I call it “digital fat” because, like physical fat, it accumulates slowly, weighs down our minds, and makes existence a chore. Unlike physical fat, digital fat is invisible and often feels productive when it’s actually pure e-junk-food.
The Social Media Buffet
Social media platforms are digital fat factories.
I truly despise social media. Once upon a time Facebook provided value by connecting us to our friends. Now, it’s a wasteland filled with junk ads that compel us to buy junk products that fatten up our physical and digital lives.
If you’re not seeing ads you’re seeing posts from meaningless pages with clickbait that stuff your mind with worthlessness that fills you with existential dread.
Then there’s X, where lord Elon throws meme scraps to his acolytes who re-X them into the disinformation age’s echo chamber. An endless feed of junk bait awaits you ready to pull you away from useful feeds at a moment’s notice.
News Over Gorge
News, the endless pit filled with scraps of doom and plates of outrage. Another day of barking politicians, holier-than-thou rich people, and celebrity obituaries. If you want to fatten your mind it’s the place to be.
Breaking news alerts happening in another world ready to pack your mind with fatty acid.
Opinion pieces disguised as news poised to turn you into a blob parrot ready for the next family Thanksgiving debate.
Clickbait headlines designed to pump you full of “Slamming”, “Ripping”, and “Blasting” hooks. Once hooked, you’re force fed ads meant to fatten you up in all the ways.
I’m not saying you should ignore the world around you. But most of what passes for “news” today is digital fat—information that feels important, but isn’t.
Communication Bloat
An inbox is begging to become a digital fat repository. Here’s what I’m talking about:
Newsletter subscriptions force fed on signup like a prisoner that refuses to eat.
Promotional emails with a side of “important information” you can’t live without.
Automated notifications that could be handled by a simple dashboard or app, but no we must consume twenty emails upon trial agreement.
Each email demands attention, even if it’s just to delete it. That’s mental energy you could be spending on something that matters.
App Notifications
Every app wants to be your best friend. Here’s the digital fat they’re serving:
“You haven’t opened our app in 3 days!” — Maybe there’s a reason for that.
“New features you might like!” — I’ll discover them when I need them, thanks.
“Your friend just posted something!” — I’ll see it when I check the app on my own time.
“Don’t forget to complete your profile!” — My profile is complete enough for my needs.
These notifications aren’t helping you—they’re helping the app companies maintain your engagement metrics.
Solutions
Here’s how I’m cutting through the digital fat:
Unsubscribe aggressively — If an email newsletter hasn’t provided value in the last month, unsubscribe. If a social media account isn’t adding value to your life, unfollow it.
Turn off notifications — Default to “off” for all app notifications. Only turn them on for things that truly require immediate attention.
Use tools to filter — Email filters, RSS readers, and content blockers can help you control what information reaches you.
Set boundaries — Designate specific times to check social media, email, and news. Outside those times, stay focused on what matters.
Question everything — Before consuming any digital content, ask: “Does this actually matter to my life, work, or relationships?” If the answer is no, skip it.
Create digital spaces — Use tools like Focus modes, Do Not Disturb, and website blockers to create distraction-free zones for deep work.
The goal isn’t to become a digital hermit. It’s to be intentional about what information you let into your life. When you cut the digital fat, you’ll find you have more mental energy for the things that actually matter.
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