You're on point with this one. More time spent scrolling = more ad and data revenue. And thus the systems are designed to addict us until our entire lives are focused on social media and on our phones. I talk about this more in my post, specifically about the aspect of how screens are designed to addict us. : https://ameliejoywrites.substack.com/p/you-are-addicted-to-your-phone
I also think there's a lot to unpack from your title. Phones do impact our sleep, and in turn, less sleep impacts our decision making and willpower, and makes us more susceptible to reaching for the phone again. I find I'm most likely to pick up my phone and scroll when I'm tired, about to go to sleep or have just woken up, and my state of mind is less alert.
This really hit. it’s wild how the very thing keeping us up is also where we go looking for comfort. the algorithms don’t sleep and somehow neither do we. thank you for putting words to the quiet war we’re all silently fighting. 🕯️
this made me completely rethink my habits. it’s sad that technology has become a prevalent part of our society, even taking over some forms of humanity’s purpose. some days i want to throw my phone into the lake and never look back, but the attachment and fear of missing out always wins. however, i’m starting to guide myself out of the cycle. i find that i’m really not dependent on technology unless i have nothing else to occupy my brain with. i don’t have it all figured out, but two things are of the most importance to me. first is being busy. not necessarily stuck in the different, but equally consuming, cycle of corporate america, but in a sense of self-fulfillment. hobbies and exercise. raw human connections. second is learning how to disconnect. how to really do nothing, and be alone with your own brain. to listen to your own thoughts and creativity. and ofc, to forgive yourself if you temporarily fall back into the web of technology :)
Yeah it’s hard because we actually do need them for many things. Thanks for telling me my piece was helpful! I’m still in love-hate relationship with my phone!
I am in awe of your thoughts!! It’s literally not us, but I feel we can do a lot. Last year I completely dumbified my phone and deleted any social media for over 6 months. It showed me that I don’t need it at all. Now I’ve come back to share my photography and some learnings I had AND sometimes catch myself doomscrolling. But here comes the good thing: I can stop myself so much quicker and once I realize I’m wasting my time, I can stop it. Sooo maybe it would help you as well🥰 If you’re interested, then I can send you my plan where I explained everything step by step :))
I definitely spend too much time on my electronic devices, and it has ruined me, especially my attention span which was already none existent due to adhd.
heyy, it’s okay!! I was drained as well so much from social media. Once I realized I was addicted it took me 9 months to break free from it. I’ve lived for 6 months social media free and it proved to me that I don’t need it. This has been a very powerful learning and I was able to start my own projects because of all this time I gained back 😊 I don’t know if you’re ready yet to change your addiction, but if, let me know. Then I can send you my step by step plan of what I did 🥰
It’s all about making your phone less addictive and kinda boring while keeping the full functionality. I really encourage you to try it and if you have any questions, please write me ☺️
Truly an amazing & eye-opening article that sheds a spotlight on how these social media/tech companies are addictive by nature, design yet the indivdual is made to feel solely responsible. In a way, I'd describe it as attempting to say "sorry, skill issue loser!" when this is not the reality and these companies should be held accountable for their role in this mess. There are a variety of consequences stemming from this issue that I can rant about. For example, an ever increasing concern on how this affecting the newer, youth generation of today in relation to education development, literacy rates, critical thinking, and such. Yet, this is not the place nor time haha so I will limit myself.
My biggest takeaway from this article is how these companies are competing for your sleep, wow. Can't get more capitalistic than that! When is enough enough? I read this article for the purpose of assisting me in lowering my social media time & screen time. I'm relieved to say that it has helped, I will strive to choose myself, screw those companies that want me to lose my sleep. Past research into sleep deprivation on the human body and mind deepens my realization that I need to choose better for myself.
I really enjoyed this and it’s in a great conversation with the post I just made about the false binary between success and social impact in nyc. Issues are never black and white, and the shades of gray force us to acknowledge our participation in this system (whether using Apple products or flying for an event as you mentioned).
I love travel and technology but have been having an ongoing internal dialogue about how to live a life aligned with my values while pursuing my desires and building a fulfilling life. This piece beautifully spoke to that tension 🤍
“If you go hiking with your dog, I get squat.”— I disagree with this. From the myceliel perspective and the knowledge that we are all a part of living Breathing interconnected web of life, you benefit every single time another being is living their best life, is fully alive, fully in touch with the moment, fully connected.
This world of profit is fabricated and based on extraction and exploitation. But if you look at the biological reality that we are all affecting each other, we are all sharing the same air and earth atmosphere, the definition of profit and wealth shifts drastically. Just wanted to add a note to this deeply thoughtful and timely piece. Thank you.
Thanks! I really loved this piece and am loving your other work as well. I hope you might check out my blog . if you like it, I'd love to recommend each other's publications if you're open to the idea <3
I really like this essay because it brings up the idea of free will - you like watching TV and looking at images and you won’t stop doing that but will it benefit you or the economy when you do it is a great point. The main problem I think with doom scrolling is that we see our phones as an extension of ourselves - it’s only natural. If we started perceiving our phones as tools, making it feel like work to be on them, we wouldn’t want to use them so often. I talk about it in my essay here but not nearly as eloquently I think as you do. I used to have a 2-3 hour screen time but it’s increased so much since I’ve been isolated and especially now that I’m on Substack , but I think the key is to change our perception of the phone in order to break the addiction. It’s easier said than done though, and I clearly suffer from all the symptoms everyone has
We don’t need Facebook to tell us when our friends are nearby, and we never did. That’s what a phone is supposed to be for. Have an adventure- call your friends and ask them if they want to meet up. Arrange a time and a place, then go to the place at the agreed time. If they’re not there, get a drink and wait, people watch or just talk to someone else.
What a crazy concept! It totally makes sense that our economy would absolutely "lose" money to a natural process, however to see it spelled out and announced in such a nonchalant way really makes you understand how powerful it is to be a consumer. I have recently deleted most apps that have any form of short content, such as "reels" or "shorts". I have began to read and enjoy articles like this one.
I've been getting really into Digital Minimalism these days, and it feels great! It's like a full on spiritual awakening to do it lol. For example, I fall asleep to a CD of nature sounds on a SONY Dream Machine every night, with my phone in a different room. It actually loosened up my fascial tissue after a while.
My phone has absolutely shortened my attention span, picking it up the second I feel bored or uncomfortable is second nature. Screentime limiters like ScreenZen have worked wonders, because some days I have to block apps off completely just to maintain focus.
I read something (on Substack, probably) encouraging people to start the day creating instead of consuming and that has helped me reengage with my journaling habit. Taking Meta off my phone has helped me start reading before bed again. I might take Substack off my phone, too. I'm on it a bit too much for my liking.
Deleting apps has been the single best thing I've done. Though I still have the Substack app and it IS consuming a lot of my former Bluesky/Instagram time.
You're on point with this one. More time spent scrolling = more ad and data revenue. And thus the systems are designed to addict us until our entire lives are focused on social media and on our phones. I talk about this more in my post, specifically about the aspect of how screens are designed to addict us. : https://ameliejoywrites.substack.com/p/you-are-addicted-to-your-phone
I also think there's a lot to unpack from your title. Phones do impact our sleep, and in turn, less sleep impacts our decision making and willpower, and makes us more susceptible to reaching for the phone again. I find I'm most likely to pick up my phone and scroll when I'm tired, about to go to sleep or have just woken up, and my state of mind is less alert.
Thank you and yes I scroll when I’m tired too!
Sara, it's serious stuff. You might like my posts on digital minimalism: https://neurodivergentnotes.substack.com/t/the-diaries
This really hit. it’s wild how the very thing keeping us up is also where we go looking for comfort. the algorithms don’t sleep and somehow neither do we. thank you for putting words to the quiet war we’re all silently fighting. 🕯️
yeah, so true, they're the same thing!
this made me completely rethink my habits. it’s sad that technology has become a prevalent part of our society, even taking over some forms of humanity’s purpose. some days i want to throw my phone into the lake and never look back, but the attachment and fear of missing out always wins. however, i’m starting to guide myself out of the cycle. i find that i’m really not dependent on technology unless i have nothing else to occupy my brain with. i don’t have it all figured out, but two things are of the most importance to me. first is being busy. not necessarily stuck in the different, but equally consuming, cycle of corporate america, but in a sense of self-fulfillment. hobbies and exercise. raw human connections. second is learning how to disconnect. how to really do nothing, and be alone with your own brain. to listen to your own thoughts and creativity. and ofc, to forgive yourself if you temporarily fall back into the web of technology :)
Yeah it’s hard because we actually do need them for many things. Thanks for telling me my piece was helpful! I’m still in love-hate relationship with my phone!
I am in awe of your thoughts!! It’s literally not us, but I feel we can do a lot. Last year I completely dumbified my phone and deleted any social media for over 6 months. It showed me that I don’t need it at all. Now I’ve come back to share my photography and some learnings I had AND sometimes catch myself doomscrolling. But here comes the good thing: I can stop myself so much quicker and once I realize I’m wasting my time, I can stop it. Sooo maybe it would help you as well🥰 If you’re interested, then I can send you my plan where I explained everything step by step :))
I definitely spend too much time on my electronic devices, and it has ruined me, especially my attention span which was already none existent due to adhd.
heyy, it’s okay!! I was drained as well so much from social media. Once I realized I was addicted it took me 9 months to break free from it. I’ve lived for 6 months social media free and it proved to me that I don’t need it. This has been a very powerful learning and I was able to start my own projects because of all this time I gained back 😊 I don’t know if you’re ready yet to change your addiction, but if, let me know. Then I can send you my step by step plan of what I did 🥰
Oh that would be wonderful ☺️
It’s all about making your phone less addictive and kinda boring while keeping the full functionality. I really encourage you to try it and if you have any questions, please write me ☺️
https://open.substack.com/pub/emelyjunker/p/how-to-dumbify-your-phone?r=57fw59&utm_medium=ios
Truly an amazing & eye-opening article that sheds a spotlight on how these social media/tech companies are addictive by nature, design yet the indivdual is made to feel solely responsible. In a way, I'd describe it as attempting to say "sorry, skill issue loser!" when this is not the reality and these companies should be held accountable for their role in this mess. There are a variety of consequences stemming from this issue that I can rant about. For example, an ever increasing concern on how this affecting the newer, youth generation of today in relation to education development, literacy rates, critical thinking, and such. Yet, this is not the place nor time haha so I will limit myself.
My biggest takeaway from this article is how these companies are competing for your sleep, wow. Can't get more capitalistic than that! When is enough enough? I read this article for the purpose of assisting me in lowering my social media time & screen time. I'm relieved to say that it has helped, I will strive to choose myself, screw those companies that want me to lose my sleep. Past research into sleep deprivation on the human body and mind deepens my realization that I need to choose better for myself.
I really enjoyed this and it’s in a great conversation with the post I just made about the false binary between success and social impact in nyc. Issues are never black and white, and the shades of gray force us to acknowledge our participation in this system (whether using Apple products or flying for an event as you mentioned).
I love travel and technology but have been having an ongoing internal dialogue about how to live a life aligned with my values while pursuing my desires and building a fulfilling life. This piece beautifully spoke to that tension 🤍
“If you go hiking with your dog, I get squat.”— I disagree with this. From the myceliel perspective and the knowledge that we are all a part of living Breathing interconnected web of life, you benefit every single time another being is living their best life, is fully alive, fully in touch with the moment, fully connected.
This world of profit is fabricated and based on extraction and exploitation. But if you look at the biological reality that we are all affecting each other, we are all sharing the same air and earth atmosphere, the definition of profit and wealth shifts drastically. Just wanted to add a note to this deeply thoughtful and timely piece. Thank you.
Oh, I hadn't thought of it like that! Good point!
Thanks! I really loved this piece and am loving your other work as well. I hope you might check out my blog . if you like it, I'd love to recommend each other's publications if you're open to the idea <3
Thanks, I’ll check it out!
I really like this essay because it brings up the idea of free will - you like watching TV and looking at images and you won’t stop doing that but will it benefit you or the economy when you do it is a great point. The main problem I think with doom scrolling is that we see our phones as an extension of ourselves - it’s only natural. If we started perceiving our phones as tools, making it feel like work to be on them, we wouldn’t want to use them so often. I talk about it in my essay here but not nearly as eloquently I think as you do. I used to have a 2-3 hour screen time but it’s increased so much since I’ve been isolated and especially now that I’m on Substack , but I think the key is to change our perception of the phone in order to break the addiction. It’s easier said than done though, and I clearly suffer from all the symptoms everyone has
https://open.substack.com/pub/welcometonomansland/p/doom-scrolling-is-not-that-bad?r=57ttco&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Heyy Sara, I love that you took action in changing your phone. Have you ever thought about dumbifying it or deleting all social media apps? ☺️
Yeah, it's a struggle. Since I published this piece I've deleted most of my apps, but I'm now spending tons of time on the Substack app so ....
We don’t need Facebook to tell us when our friends are nearby, and we never did. That’s what a phone is supposed to be for. Have an adventure- call your friends and ask them if they want to meet up. Arrange a time and a place, then go to the place at the agreed time. If they’re not there, get a drink and wait, people watch or just talk to someone else.
What a crazy concept! It totally makes sense that our economy would absolutely "lose" money to a natural process, however to see it spelled out and announced in such a nonchalant way really makes you understand how powerful it is to be a consumer. I have recently deleted most apps that have any form of short content, such as "reels" or "shorts". I have began to read and enjoy articles like this one.
Thanks you! Yes, deleting Insta was a big one for me!
I've been getting really into Digital Minimalism these days, and it feels great! It's like a full on spiritual awakening to do it lol. For example, I fall asleep to a CD of nature sounds on a SONY Dream Machine every night, with my phone in a different room. It actually loosened up my fascial tissue after a while.
love it🤭😍 I listen to cds now in my car and it’s been such a vibe since then. Have you ever thought about dumbifying your phone?
or like simply making it less “sexy” to look at
nice! I have been thinking of doing the phone in the other room thing!
My phone has absolutely shortened my attention span, picking it up the second I feel bored or uncomfortable is second nature. Screentime limiters like ScreenZen have worked wonders, because some days I have to block apps off completely just to maintain focus.
good tip!
I also use ScreenZen! definitely a huge lifesaver for me. it cut down my screentime significantly, and I feel so much better because of it.
consider dumbifying your phone, it has helped me so much in reducing my time on the phone 😊
Downloading...
I read something (on Substack, probably) encouraging people to start the day creating instead of consuming and that has helped me reengage with my journaling habit. Taking Meta off my phone has helped me start reading before bed again. I might take Substack off my phone, too. I'm on it a bit too much for my liking.
Deleting apps has been the single best thing I've done. Though I still have the Substack app and it IS consuming a lot of my former Bluesky/Instagram time.
I feel privileged to be a young adult who is able to read to fall asleep (though it is a struggle)