Do the WhatsApp detox

I’m actually quite a fan of WhatsApp because it’s super fun, really fast, and informal. No one complains about the lack of a capital letter or a comma, and it keeps the conversation nice and active when you see the ‘typing’ message from the other person. But it can drive you to madness. You turn on your phone after a peaceful walk and bam: 78 messages. I immediately think someone has died (but that’s just me), but usually, it’s the fresh relationship of André Hazes being discussed in various group chats or there’s been some serious back-and-forth texting about whether we’re going for the ring or the bracelet for the birthday of our mutual friend.

Anyway, I like WhatsApp, but in moderation. If you want to prune WhatsApp with a pair of shears, I have some tips.

1. This incredible hack from Adeline 

Where people have to invite you to a group chat and you can’t just be added to a group without being asked. Quite handy, although it does come off, sorry Addie, a bit diva-ish. Especially when, after acceptance, a sentence appears: ‘So and So has joined the group with your invitation’. But it does create a barrier, and that can be quite nice sometimes.

2. Turn off push notifications

I check my phone often enough and then I see in the WhatsApp icon that there are new messages. But that popping up on my screen made me very restless.

3. Leave group chats as soon as your task is done

Gift chosen for the friend in question, Tikkie paid? Then you can quietly exit. Just send a boys-I-thought-it-was-great-but-trying-to-apply-a-WhatsApp-diet-so-bye message and leave the group. Everyone will understand.

And stay alert with group chats, they can be life-threatening.