I know your pain all to well, but when I figured my mental health and privacy were at risk, I just took the leap. It is not an easy choice. Having said that, think about these benefits:

• from your “inner circle” those who really want to keep in touch won’t mind installing another app. This give you a broader view of just how important you and what YOU consider your well-being is to each of those people.
• may not feel that way at first, but after a few days you will start feeling refreshed by having reduced notifications dramatically. This helps for focusing on whatever you enjoy.
• the knowledge that you’re giving a tech giant less, or even nothing, is an epic feeling that can only be experienced, not described.

I also live in a country made to be driven by Meta and all its crap by the population, so much so that even the oldest and largest corporations, banks and stores have all but abandoned their websites, and handle everything over WhatsApp for transactions, and Instagram and Facebook for publicity and offers. Some of these sites have not been updated in over 10 years, and good luck getting them to reply to an email and God forbid, picking up a phone.

I’ve been out of that environment for almost 10 years now, and all it’s done for me is make me happier, save money and give me plenty of time for video games without being disturbed.

Try it, let everyone know you’re moving to (insert name of alternative and privacy focused app) and will be eliminating your WhatsApp in (whatever amount of time). Then, after the first week, disable all notifications on WhatsApp, and just check it when you feel like it. I’m not going to tell you to stop replying to people, but take longer (12 hours, 2 days, whatever you can handle) and when they ask what took you so long, just tell them what you think about WhatsApp, and that you’re easier to reach on the other app. If at the end you’re not comfortable, just don’t eliminate WhatsApp and keep it, it’s not going to harm anyone (other than your privacy, of course), and you still walk out having at least tried.

Full disclosure, I’m not young anymore, will be 50 soon, so understand that I’m in a point in life where I don’t want more people in my life, I want less 🤣🤣