This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Syed Ahmer Shah
Originally Published on my Hashnode
Instagram. Music. Reels. Dopamine.
I didn’t realize how much they were draining me — until I cut them off cold turkey for 90 days.
As a software engineering student trying to level up, build side projects, trade crypto, and one day move to Germany — I had no space left for low-return distractions.
So I stopped. Cold.
No music. No Instagram. 90 days.
Here’s what I learned.
Why I Started the Dopamine Detox
I was waking up tired.
Coding felt like a chore.
And somehow, I was spending 4+ hours a day just feeding my brain dopamine through Instagram and music.
But my dream is bigger.
I want to move to Germany, become a real software engineer, build something of value, and live with intention.
So I said screw it — let’s detox.
The Rules I Set
Simple, strict, and non-negotiable:
No Instagram- No music, songs, or even lo-fi beats
Daily bath and grooming- Pray as many of the 5 daily prayers as I could
- Use the free time to code, learn, and reflect
It wasn’t about being a monk.
It was about being in control.
Week 1: The Withdrawal Phase
The first few days? Pure chaos.
My brain was screaming for stimulation.
I’d reach for my phone by muscle memory.
I even caught myself mentally scrolling through reels I had watched weeks ago.
It was uncomfortable.
I felt restless, bored, and low-key anxious.
But I kept going.
Because deep down I knew — this pain was temporary, but the gain was forever.
Week 2 to Week 4: Focus Returns
Somewhere in Week 3, the fog started to lift.
I began to:
Wake up with real energy
Code for longer, deeper stretches
Actually enjoy problem-solving again
Pray more consistently
Feel mentally lighter and calmer
It felt like my brain had finally rebooted.
I was using tools like Cursor AI, Copilot, and VS Code — and I was flowing like never before.
No distractions, no noise — just pure creation.
What I Gained From the Detox
The gains were WAY beyond what I expected:
4+ hours of time recovered daily- Cleaner code and deeper focus
More self-discipline in all areas
Stronger spiritual routine
Less anxiety, more internal peace
Turns out, cutting distractions isn’t about deleting apps — it’s about owning your mind.
Would I Recommend It? Absolutely.
If you’re a student, a dev, a creator — try it.
Start with 7 days. Then go for 30.
You’ll get uncomfortable at first, but what comes after… is clarity, calm, and control.
Your brain will thank you.
Your code will thank you.
Your future will thank you.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever done a dopamine detox — or if you’re planning one — drop your thoughts below.
Let’s build focus, faith, and freedom together — one line of code at a time.
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Written by Ahmer, just a dev student trying to build his best self in a noisy world.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Syed Ahmer Shah