How I Finally Got Rid of the Badges of Annoyance

Hey there, my non-existent readers! It's me, your introverted blogger, back to ramble about something that's been quietly driving me up the wall: app notification badges.

Image Source: CleverTap

I don't know about you, but there's something about those little red circles with numbers that make my inner grump cringe with irritation. I can't stand them. Every time I see one, I feel like my phone has turned into that person who won't stop nudging you, asking, "Did you see this yet? Did you respond? Did you?" And let's be real here, if my phone was an actual person, I might have considered telling it to take a step back and respect my personal space fuck off. 😅

Picture this: I'm tucked into my usual introvert haven, a book, a warm drink, maybe some music in the background. Everything is peaceful. Then, out of nowhere, my phone lights up with notifications. I try to ignore it, but there it is, glaring at me with its red badges, practically yelling, "Look at me! Look at me! I have important information you must consume immediately or risk the impending doom of FOMO!" Spoiler: it's never actually important.

And what's worse? It's not just one badge. Oh no, that would be too kind. They show up in groups, like they've planned a coordinated attack. E-mail, social media, news, weather, and even apps you didn't even know you had installed. It's as if your phone is conspiring to turn you into a notification junkie who's always craving that dopamine hit that comes from swiping those badges away. Because that's what I am. Whenever I see those annoying red badges, I can't help but clear them out.

I get that notifications are supposed to be helpful. They remind us of things and keep us connected. But does the world really end if I don't immediately know that juicy gossip on X, that someone liked my latest Facebook or Instagram post, or that there's a flash sale on that Skintific Mugwort Anti Pores & Acne Clay Stick (or Mask) I've been eyeing for months on TikTok? Spoiler again: it doesn't!

I miss when phones were simpler. They waited for you to use them, instead of demanding constant attention. Now, they feel like the clingiest friend you never asked for.

So, I decided to do something about it. I found a setting on my iPhone 7 Plus that lets you hide notification badges. It's buried in the "Home Screen" section of the settings. A few quick taps, and suddenly, all those pesky red circles were gone. My phone felt quieter, calmer, like it had finally learned some manners.

It's a small change, but it's made a big difference for me. Now, I can check my apps when I want to, not when my phone decides I should. It's a tiny victory in the never-ending battle against modern life's noise.

If you're tired of your phone yelling at you too, I highly recommend giving it a try. You might just find yourself breathing a little easier.