Social media isn't the problem.
It's doomscrolling.
Social media often gets blamed for our mental fatigue, lack of focus, and even poor productivity. But what if the real issue isn’t social media itself, but rather how we use it? This week, let’s break down why doomscrolling might be the true culprit and explore how we can shift our relationship with social media from draining to empowering.
The Cost of Doomscrolling: Drifting Without Purpose
tt: oliviagrantcreative
Doomscrolling is a habit many of us fall into unconsciously. We pick up our phones for a quick check or break, and before we know it, we’re mindlessly scrolling through an endless feed of news, updates, and posts. Often, this content is sensational or negative, leaving us more drained than before we started. The real problem with doomscrolling isn’t just wasted time—it’s the emotional and mental toll it takes. When we repeatedly consume negative or trivial content, our anxiety and stress increase, while our energy and motivation plummet.
Doomscrolling doesn’t just affect our mood; it impacts our productivity and long-term outlook, too. We lose hours that could otherwise be spent on fulfilling activities, and this gradual erosion of time eventually distances us from our goals. If we want to live with intention and purpose, breaking the doomscrolling habit is a powerful first step.
Using Social Media as a Tool for Growth and Learning
The good news is that social media itself isn’t inherently bad; in fact, when used purposefully, it’s an incredible resource for growth, learning, and connection. Imagine if, every time you opened an app, you set a clear purpose: Why am I here? What do I want to gain from this? Whether it’s to learn something new, gain inspiration, or connect with like-minded individuals, approaching social media with intention turns it into a tool rather than a time sink.
Social media is also a unique opportunity to surround ourselves with positive influences. By curating our feeds to include content that aligns with our goals, we shape our online environment to be a place that fuels self-improvement. Following accounts that share knowledge, personal growth insights, or motivational stories can shift our entire mindset and uplift us, helping us stay motivated on our path to self-betterment. Instead of scrolling through whatever random posts appear, we can choose what—and who—occupies our mental space.
Building a “growth-focused” social media feed also means unfollowing or muting accounts that contribute to negativity, drama, or unproductive comparisons. When we take control of our online environment, we turn social media into a source of learning, positivity, and support rather than a cause of stress or self-doubt.
Replacing Empty Habits with Positive Community and Real Purpose
Beyond doomscrolling, social media has other distractions that can lead us astray. Pornography and other addictive, shallow content can pull us into hours of mindless engagement, ultimately leaving us feeling unfulfilled. While these may seem like harmless ways to pass the time, they often erode our sense of purpose and replace genuine, constructive habits with temporary, shallow satisfaction. Instead of helping us grow, they keep us stuck in a cycle of quick fixes that rarely bring lasting contentment or achievement.
Imagine replacing these habits with intentional, positive activities—joining communities focused on self-discipline, skill-building, or meaningful conversations. When we shift our attention toward groups and content that reflect our highest aspirations, we start aligning our actions with our values and goals. Setting clear boundaries, like time limits on certain apps or scheduling specific times for social media, can help us maintain control and ensure that our online experience supports, rather than distracts from, our real-world ambitions.
This week, I want you to try something new with your social media use. Before you open an app, take a moment to set an intention. Track your usage and reflect on how different it feels to engage with purpose rather than out of habit. By noticing the impact, you might find yourself naturally moving toward a healthier, more rewarding relationship with social media.
Remember that social media is not your enemy, its your consumption pattern.
Until next time,
pathsofstoicism.
Free resources:
Memento mori calendar: Memento Mori digital calendar
Stoic mode app: Stoic mode app