About Life Beyond Screen
I spent 10 years designing websites to be addictive. I was good at it. Too good. Until I realized I had become my own worst customer.
From Graffiti to Digital Patterns
My journey started with graffiti and typography, naturally evolving into design. By 2014, I was crafting digital experiences for major brands like BMW and building software for startups that would later become industry leaders. I obsessively collected UX patterns, studying every trick and technique that could keep users engaged. I was fascinated by how the right design could shape behavior.
But there was a dark side to this expertise.
The Cost of Digital Mastery
While I was helping startups boost their engagement metrics, my own life was spiraling. At 20, I lost a potentially life-changing job at a promising startup because I couldn't pull myself away from Dota 2. My sleep schedule was chaos. My eating habits were terrible. And that was just the beginning.
Later, building a personal brand on Twitter, I found myself obsessively checking likes and replies at 3 AM, afraid to miss a single interaction. With over 10,000 followers, I was "successful" - but I was barely present in my real life.
The Wake-Up Call
The birth of my son changed everything. Suddenly, the cost of digital addiction became painfully clear. I was missing precious moments with my family because I couldn't put down my phone. My wife helped me see what I was losing - all those irreplaceable moments of real connection and joy.
That's when I made the decision: I deleted my Twitter account with all its followers. It was time to rediscover life beyond the screen.
Why Life Beyond Screen Exists
This isn't just another digital wellness blog. After spending a decade designing addictive interfaces, I understand exactly how tech products engineer dependence. I know the dark patterns, the psychological triggers, and the engagement loops - because I used to build them.
The infinite scrolls, the notification systems, the dopamine reward loops - these aren't accidents. They're carefully crafted patterns designed to keep you hooked. And as someone who's been both the designer and the user, I have a unique perspective on breaking free.
What Makes Us Different
Most digital wellness advice comes from either tech outsiders or unrepentant insiders. I'm sharing insights from both sides of the screen:
- The technical understanding of how these products actually work
- Personal experience with gaming and social media addiction
- Professional expertise in user experience design
- Real strategies that work in the real world
I've studied digital minimalism, essentialism, and cutting-edge research on technology's impact on our brains and behavior. But more importantly, I've lived through the struggles and transformations I write about.
My Current Journey
I'll be honest - I'm still on this path myself. Balancing work, family, and healthy technology use is a daily practice. My biggest challenge right now is maintaining boundaries between work and personal projects while building this platform.
But that's exactly why Life Beyond Screen resonates with real people. This isn't about perfect solutions - it's about understanding the patterns that trap us and finding practical ways to break free.
Looking Forward
My vision is simple: I want to help people reclaim their attention, their time, and their real-world connections. Whether you're:
- A parent trying to be more present
- A professional breaking free from social media
- Someone struggling with gaming addiction
- Or just feeling overwhelmed by constant connectivity
I'm sharing everything I've learned from both building and breaking these addictive patterns.
Let's Connect
I'm always learning new ways to help people find their balance with technology. If you're ready to discover your own life beyond the screen, I'd love to help you get started.
Remember: The same expertise that went into making these products addictive can be used to break free from them. Let's use that knowledge for something better.