Loved your post, thanks. Phones are like black holes, once you cross the event horizon, you will be sucked in for good. When you manage to get out, 7 years have already passed.
I love the idea of watching longer form content - I have noticed that in terms of video content, YouTube is my happy place. And I hear you on the attention span…short form video content combined with my job where as a project manager, all I do is emails and phone calls, I struggle to pay attention to one thing for more than a few minutes.
That sounds stressful indeed! Especially with all these calls and people demanding your attention.
I'm trying to "train" myself at the moment to pay attention to longer videos on Youtube, longer vlogs or documentaries, maybe that'll work for you, too?
Great read! It’s hard nowadays to not find yourself in this purposeless scrolling within social media.
A few years ago, I dropped all social networks except youtube. My rule was to only use it when I genuine have a purpose to watch something rather than being scrolling through home to be entertained by what’s coming.
You also say, “”But that is not an option for me” - I’m curious, could you share your reasons as to why you still consider worth your time in some apps like Instagram and TikTok?
Thank you so much for commenting, I appreciate it. And I definitely agree that among all social media apps, YouTube has a certain value and that when used with purpose, it can offer so many benefits! All the skills I have learned through that site, from drawing to installing my dishwasher…
As for your question: I am actually not on TikTok because I feel like that platform can't offer me any value, it doesn't really addd anything to my life other than short term happiness. Instagram is a different story though, over the years I have built a loyal community on there that brings me a lot of happiness! I love creating videos and posts, as well as interacting with other creatives on the App. I don't know if I will stay on there forever, but for now, I enjoy it a lot. I often think about abandoning social media altogether, just like you did, I imagine it probably helped a lot with your focus and ability to do deep work, right?
The age of micro content is definitely changing the way people's brains work and it's not good at all. I don't like it, and that's why I've been interested in finding a place where people are still interested in long format content. I recently found substack and I feel like I might've found the right place.
I found that making time blocks for my social media consumption helped me to keep me from infinite scrolling. So basically, dedicate specific times of your day for that, for a limited time.
Yeah, sure! I've tried every single time management app in existence and I can confidently say that the simple, classic ones ended up working best for me in the long run: Notion and good ol' Google Calendar.
However if you're looking to try something a bit more complex, then something like Todoist, Tick Tick or ClickUp might be a good option for you.
For the past few years my whole functionality as a human has depended on three apps: Notion, Google Calendar and Pomofocus. Notion is my command center, I sync Google Calendar with it and have a Pomofocus widget in it too, that way I have everything in one single app.
I'm working on a post explaining how I use Notion to keep my life on track in case you wanna watch out for it!
I am super in the same boat! I actually just deleted my Instagram and TikTok apps on my phone so if I want access to them I need to be on my iPad, which i don't carry around with me during the day - i feel so much lighter already !
Oh yeah that is a good one! I work mostly on my iPad so for me it is the other way around, but keeping social media away from your "work device" is definitely so helpful.
Arielle! You must check out the book Outsmart your Smartphone! Best thing I’ve ever read. It goes into so much detail about this topic and coaches you through being able to let go of your attachment to your phone/social media while increasing attention span/appreciation for real life. I can’t recommend it enough!!! My screen time decreased by hours when reading it!
i have an inner hatred for social media. i just don’t really know how to put it but my “being” just becomes unsettled even after only 10 minutes of scrolling through posts and and reels on facebook or instagram. I deleted my tiktok on the same day i downloaded it.
i’ve finallydecided to cut my relationship with socmed but certain circumstances that are necessary hinders me to do so. that’s why i’m now on substack… somehow, it’s a little different here (in a weird way)…
I feel the same way. Social media has this way of luring you in, it seems like such a good idea to spend a few minutes scrolling, but by the time you stop, you are no longer feeling motivated, just miserable.
I also became addicted to TikTok during the pandemic. I had a lot of fun creating videos and going live as well as scrolling.
We didn’t have internet when I was a kid (I’m 55). But I have a 14 year old and luckily they aren’t as into their phone as their friends are so I don’t have to be too strict about it. I’m the one with the phone addiction, but I don’t let my child see it.
There will always be something we gravitate toward. My newest addiction is Substack. lol
It's great that you create videos, too! So many people are stuck in consumption mode and always think about posting something, but they never do. But yeah, it's tough to balance scrolling and creating...
Good to hear that your kid is using the Internet in a balanced way!
And of all the social media platforms, Substack is one of the better ones to be addicted to :)
I recently started to realize I might have a “screen addiction” and I started to force myself out of it by doing small tasks, putting a daily limit in my social media apps and leaving the phone in the next room, I was starting to lose interest in many of my other hobbies, so it’s good to know I’m not alone in this and your recommendations are really helpful for me right now. Great post!
I'm happy to hear that you are doing better! We have all been there, losing interest in hobbies id definitely a sign of being chronically online. Glad that my post could help you with getting back to doing things you love!
Really relate to having strict technology limits growing up, and then going off the rails once I had the freedom to use technology as I pleased. I wonder if that's the case for most kids who grow up with more restrictions on technology use. Great post!
I'm asking myself the same thing! And I wonder how this will change the generation that is growing up currently, because from what I can tell they are all using iPads or phones from a really young age. Will their digital habits be better than ours, or even worse?
I use Screen Zen too! My current set up is that it blocks all social media, YouTube and Netflix from 6 am to 12 pm. Then again at my bedtime otherwise I stay up too late. The worst thing about social media is that it’s not even GOOD! I’ll literally be scrolling thinking how boring it is. And yet… maybe the next post will be good, I’ll try one more, just need one good one…
I love the idea of consuming content more consciously! I was never really taught that as a kid, I'm definitely going to start taking notes when long-form content. Great article Arielle!
I was going to doom scroll and then I actually sat and read this entire piece here. Thank you. It’s also motivating me to get up. I really do want to get up in the future without coming on my
Loved your post, thanks. Phones are like black holes, once you cross the event horizon, you will be sucked in for good. When you manage to get out, 7 years have already passed.
exactly! The thought of buying a flip phone becomes more appealing every day...
I love the idea of watching longer form content - I have noticed that in terms of video content, YouTube is my happy place. And I hear you on the attention span…short form video content combined with my job where as a project manager, all I do is emails and phone calls, I struggle to pay attention to one thing for more than a few minutes.
That sounds stressful indeed! Especially with all these calls and people demanding your attention.
I'm trying to "train" myself at the moment to pay attention to longer videos on Youtube, longer vlogs or documentaries, maybe that'll work for you, too?
I’ve been doing that too!! And isn’t it wild that we even have to do that?
Great read! It’s hard nowadays to not find yourself in this purposeless scrolling within social media.
A few years ago, I dropped all social networks except youtube. My rule was to only use it when I genuine have a purpose to watch something rather than being scrolling through home to be entertained by what’s coming.
You also say, “”But that is not an option for me” - I’m curious, could you share your reasons as to why you still consider worth your time in some apps like Instagram and TikTok?
Thank you so much for commenting, I appreciate it. And I definitely agree that among all social media apps, YouTube has a certain value and that when used with purpose, it can offer so many benefits! All the skills I have learned through that site, from drawing to installing my dishwasher…
As for your question: I am actually not on TikTok because I feel like that platform can't offer me any value, it doesn't really addd anything to my life other than short term happiness. Instagram is a different story though, over the years I have built a loyal community on there that brings me a lot of happiness! I love creating videos and posts, as well as interacting with other creatives on the App. I don't know if I will stay on there forever, but for now, I enjoy it a lot. I often think about abandoning social media altogether, just like you did, I imagine it probably helped a lot with your focus and ability to do deep work, right?
The age of micro content is definitely changing the way people's brains work and it's not good at all. I don't like it, and that's why I've been interested in finding a place where people are still interested in long format content. I recently found substack and I feel like I might've found the right place.
I found that making time blocks for my social media consumption helped me to keep me from infinite scrolling. So basically, dedicate specific times of your day for that, for a limited time.
I feel the same way! I love Substack and longer Youtube vlogs or video essays.
Do you have any apps you recommend for time blocking?
Yeah, sure! I've tried every single time management app in existence and I can confidently say that the simple, classic ones ended up working best for me in the long run: Notion and good ol' Google Calendar.
However if you're looking to try something a bit more complex, then something like Todoist, Tick Tick or ClickUp might be a good option for you.
For the past few years my whole functionality as a human has depended on three apps: Notion, Google Calendar and Pomofocus. Notion is my command center, I sync Google Calendar with it and have a Pomofocus widget in it too, that way I have everything in one single app.
I'm working on a post explaining how I use Notion to keep my life on track in case you wanna watch out for it!
Thank you so much for sharing! Would love to read your notion post.
Subscribed to get your notion essay!!
I am super in the same boat! I actually just deleted my Instagram and TikTok apps on my phone so if I want access to them I need to be on my iPad, which i don't carry around with me during the day - i feel so much lighter already !
Oh yeah that is a good one! I work mostly on my iPad so for me it is the other way around, but keeping social media away from your "work device" is definitely so helpful.
Arielle! You must check out the book Outsmart your Smartphone! Best thing I’ve ever read. It goes into so much detail about this topic and coaches you through being able to let go of your attachment to your phone/social media while increasing attention span/appreciation for real life. I can’t recommend it enough!!! My screen time decreased by hours when reading it!
I will do that, it sounds amazing! Thank you so much :)
i have an inner hatred for social media. i just don’t really know how to put it but my “being” just becomes unsettled even after only 10 minutes of scrolling through posts and and reels on facebook or instagram. I deleted my tiktok on the same day i downloaded it.
i’ve finallydecided to cut my relationship with socmed but certain circumstances that are necessary hinders me to do so. that’s why i’m now on substack… somehow, it’s a little different here (in a weird way)…
I feel the same way. Social media has this way of luring you in, it seems like such a good idea to spend a few minutes scrolling, but by the time you stop, you are no longer feeling motivated, just miserable.
I'm glad that we discovered Substack tho!
I also became addicted to TikTok during the pandemic. I had a lot of fun creating videos and going live as well as scrolling.
We didn’t have internet when I was a kid (I’m 55). But I have a 14 year old and luckily they aren’t as into their phone as their friends are so I don’t have to be too strict about it. I’m the one with the phone addiction, but I don’t let my child see it.
There will always be something we gravitate toward. My newest addiction is Substack. lol
It's great that you create videos, too! So many people are stuck in consumption mode and always think about posting something, but they never do. But yeah, it's tough to balance scrolling and creating...
Good to hear that your kid is using the Internet in a balanced way!
And of all the social media platforms, Substack is one of the better ones to be addicted to :)
Thank you and I agree. Substack the newest healthy addiction. Lol
I recently started to realize I might have a “screen addiction” and I started to force myself out of it by doing small tasks, putting a daily limit in my social media apps and leaving the phone in the next room, I was starting to lose interest in many of my other hobbies, so it’s good to know I’m not alone in this and your recommendations are really helpful for me right now. Great post!
I'm happy to hear that you are doing better! We have all been there, losing interest in hobbies id definitely a sign of being chronically online. Glad that my post could help you with getting back to doing things you love!
Really relate to having strict technology limits growing up, and then going off the rails once I had the freedom to use technology as I pleased. I wonder if that's the case for most kids who grow up with more restrictions on technology use. Great post!
I'm asking myself the same thing! And I wonder how this will change the generation that is growing up currently, because from what I can tell they are all using iPads or phones from a really young age. Will their digital habits be better than ours, or even worse?
The thumbnail is literally me right now!! 🤦🏼♀️ Obviously I need this post
Ah the feeling’s mutual 😊, especially the shame part
All of this is so important in gaining our agency back ✨ well spoken!
I use Screen Zen too! My current set up is that it blocks all social media, YouTube and Netflix from 6 am to 12 pm. Then again at my bedtime otherwise I stay up too late. The worst thing about social media is that it’s not even GOOD! I’ll literally be scrolling thinking how boring it is. And yet… maybe the next post will be good, I’ll try one more, just need one good one…
I love the idea of consuming content more consciously! I was never really taught that as a kid, I'm definitely going to start taking notes when long-form content. Great article Arielle!
I was going to doom scroll and then I actually sat and read this entire piece here. Thank you. It’s also motivating me to get up. I really do want to get up in the future without coming on my
Phone first thing. But if I do, maybe I’ll read 🤔