Every time I used Google, posted on Facebook or typed my card details in to a website I felt the same quiet guilt - like I was betraying myself and handing over a piece of personal information to some greedy bastard that would misuse it and then sell it on. So how could I stop this and where would I even start?

The first and most fundamental step for myself was actually offline - finding the time to read, listen and learn. The book Freedom to Think by Susie Alegre helped to focus my thoughts around ‘big data’ and gave my private concerns a legitimacy - I wasn’t making this up. And it was simple, ditch Google, Facebook and the bank. Obviously its not that straightforward, but the problem was now clear to see, and I was ready to fight it. In essence our every day lives have become overrun by centralized, controlling, data hungry organisations, and if you can loosen their grip you’ll see that control starts to flow back. But how to loosen their grip and actually start to regain some freedom?

Stop the Preying Eyes

Let’s start with Google, yes its convenient, but at what cost, I just had to bin it and move on, do it. So following a quick Google (my last ever) I found Bravebrowser, where you can block ads, cookies, fingerprinting and tracking, along with an armoury of customizable privacy settings. It was a very easy win and after a short period of adjustment, there was no looking back. I still use Brave browser to this day, along with a suite of other privacy focused apps as I continue to wean myself of Google and Meta and Microsoft (check out privacypack.orgor zapstorefor some alternative apps). Some freedom did now feel achievable and the more I learnt the further I wanted to go.

Reclaim Your Online Identity

Roll on Social media - this one was actually a lot of fun and a great way of learning what else is out there in the way of self sovereignty, as the privacy and tech communities are very open, welcoming and knowledgeable. And so I stumbled upon Nostr, a truly decentralised network of servers where nobody holds your data and no algorithm grooms you for engagement. What you see is down to you, and its a bizarrely calm space when you’re so used to the main platforms. So you are free to move your profile from app to app (aka clients, I personally like Yakihonne), and although Nostr isn’t straightforward at first, with multiple clients and many different relays (ways of transmitting notes), it is a great community with loads of options to customize what you see and do. Plus, you feel part of something that isn’t a constant pile-on or one-upmanship. Give it a go, reclaim your social identity, it’s liberating.

Stepping Away from Fake Safety

The toughest fix was weening myself off my bank and the fiat financial system (I am still heavily dependant on it tbh) and yes there are risks involved, but you also stand to benefit so much. Ultimately you are stepping in to the world of cryptocurrency, away from a fake safety net of your bank and into the apparent ‘wild west’. The easiest and safest step I took was using Braves built in wallet. Keeping it simple to start with, its a great way to learn about custody and self-custody wallets, addresses, the different networks and the myriad of tokens available, how to swap, buy, sell and onboard money from your bank account. I started with very small amounts, making a few mistakes, but not worrying while I learnt the ropes. Then slowly, a truly different world appears. One where you are free to do as you see fit - you can transact on a peer-to-peer basis (no middlemen), you can control your money (spend it, hold it, buy $virtualfrog coins if you like that kind of thing), you are no longer beholding to a faceless corporation.

From Total Blindness to a Brighter Future

This is still the first few baby steps for myself, as six months ago I was completely unaware of any of my options when it came to a freer future, but from affording myself a little time to learn, I now feel a much greater sense of freedom. So, if you’re aware that things just don’t seem right and you’re willing to take a small step forward, yes it will feel confusing, daunting and very different, but give yourself the time, learn and move forwards - you’ll start to realise how less dependent you are on global, controlling corporations and that taking back control of your data, your privacy and your assets, gets you closer to ultimately reclaiming your freedom to think.