My steps:
1. Shut my phone down, hide it in my room, and lock the door so it's a pain in the ass to get to.
2. Be bored, and sit in the boredom for like 7-10 minutes (MINIMUM)-- once you're bored see what your brain gravitates to beyond The Screen (is it doodling? is it playing guitar? is it writing?)
3. Find the little thing your brain latches on to, and start doing it! Even if it's something goofy like "Just Dance youtube videos" to dance to LOL this is you, deliberately following your brain's natural curiosity & interest
And then rinse and repeat however you like <3 Once you get accustomed to the smaller, more gratifying feel good activities, social media starts to feel too overwhelming to even pick back up again-- you'll be reaching for it less and less
(a final aside: I am of the major belief that creativity & imagination is critical to creating a better reality to live in, because it shows that you're capable of leaning into what "doesn't exist", and are courageous enough to imagine and build a reality that defies the status quo. but that's just me LOL)
Jun 10, 2025
Related Recs
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I'm kind of in the same situation, I recognise that especially social media are really bad for my mental health, and being a highly sensitive person, my brain cannot sustain that kind of constant bombardment of visual stimuli. I believe being cronically online is a way of maybe find a distraction from my emotions. So here's what I'm trying to do: I just try to be as creative as I can be. Whether it's sketching with a pencil, discovering new music, gardening (even buying a little plant that doesen't need extreme maintainance can do!), and lastly I very much reccomend trying penpaling. You can search for a penpal, start to build a connection and then when you both feel like it, exchange adresses and start sending letters to eachother. You can write how you are feeling, create little surprises, go out to search for magnets or postcards or stickers! It's really nice because once you concentrate on putting together a letter and therefore you are putting the effort to deliver to a friend something great, they will do the same. It makes me feel really good and seen and cared for, and I'm able to do the same and occupy my time for something nice. :)
Jul 29, 2024
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things ive found have helped:
- doing less during the day. ik this isnt always an option cause we all have to work, but if you do have things taking up energy that you can cut out, i recommend working towards cutting it
- try to not put as much pressure on yourself. you cant run a marathon if you havent started small. sometimes i just try to draw something on a post it note daily
- (my favorite) write down the basic thoughts during the day, expand them when you have time. i have a note on my phone full of random thoughts and words and when im feeling stuck, ill go through and pick out the easiest to start working on. for example, i have “handsaw” directly above “the pornification of violence” obv the second is a much more intense and “worthwhile” as a concept, but it is easier to doodle whatever “handsaw” means. its also so fun to have a huge list of the batshit looney things that have crossed my brain, because when i feel empty and heavy i can look at it and remember that i do have creative ideas.
- give yourself grace. being a creative is exhausting. its okay to feel utterly overwhelmed by life and the pressure to create. our bodies tell us what we need, and if you need a nap, honor how you feel and spend some time resting <3
Nov 25, 2024
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Any time you can, try to do whatever you’re doing in the sunshine! If you have a deck/porch/yard start going out there to play on your phone, read, eat lunch out there sometimes for fun, paint nails, make jewelry, drink coffee or tea, write, research. There are so many things that can be done outside, try to start telling yourself there’s no reason to just sit inside on your phone when you could be outside in fresh air.
Whenever I was in a period where it was harder to make myself do things, I always found that even if it felt like a chore to get up and go outside, once I was out there it always felt great. I also love going on walks with or without headphones and just maladaptive daydreaming.
Maybe once you get into a habit of getting out more little by little you’ll find yourself enjoying it and doing it more habitually!
2d ago
Top Recs from @gemfound
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It shows a long life and the many smiles you've given and experienced!! It's a permanent remembrance of happiness and I think that's beautiful!!
Mar 14, 2025
Jun 3, 2025
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I have to disagree with the people who say that we need to “stay” and “fight“ for IG to be a better platform because in actuality, it’s our presence and engagement that gives them data, and therefore money. As long as they have those 2 things, they make their bottom line and won’t really care about its users desires unless they’re making a move for the optics.
If we REALLY want to hold them accountable, we need to impact the money they make, which means permanently deleting or marking your account as inactive & never coming back. They’ll only care if they’re bleeding money— so make them bleed.
Feb 22, 2025