Here's the truth: social media—with its short-form loops and endless scroll—is a bottomless pit. There’s always one more reel to watch, one more story to post, one more comment to dissect. It behaves like a black hole, quietly swallowing our attention, except falling into it feels oddly rewarding. And so, we keep sinking. But instead of playing the victim, it’s worth asking the harder question: is the screen really the enemy, or is it our inability to disengage?
Getting personal
It’s no coincidence that every social gathering or brand event today is branded as “immersive”, something that once came naturally now has to be engineered. From yacht parties to experiential pop-ups, brands are bending over backwards to recreate what we’re all craving: real, human connection. Even as the algorithm insists otherwise, our need for IRL interaction is at an all-time high.
Ironically, “experiential” is sold as a luxury when it should be the baseline. We’re living in an era where we’re comfortable being influenced by bots and binaries, fully aware of where this dystopian spiral leads. The idea that “a little tech is fine” feels increasingly flimsy because what even counts as “little” anymore? Doomscrolling has become the quiet pandemic of the digital age: addictive, habitual, and alarmingly normalised. The good news? There are ways out.
Rewriting the screenplay
Humans were never made for made-up worlds and mechanical efficacy, or else we would not boast a complex web of emotions, intuition, or creativity. That disconnect explains the brain rot we face, despite access to all kinds of content at our fingertips, or even bloomscrolling, which we’re convinced will put us in a better mood, but cannot guarantee to (even leaving us with impostor syndrome instead).
This isn’t about cancelling screens. It’s about learning how to use them before they start using us. If you’re looking to slow the erosion of organic socialising and replace passive consumption with something more grounding, here’s a place to start. To put it plainly: stop worshipping the algorithm gods and come back to reality.
Bake it till you make it
Sign up for that baking class. Creating something with your hands is one of the most effective antidotes to endless scrolling, and baking delivers instant gratification in the form of something delicious. Flying solo? Pull out a recipe book, tie on an apron, and start simple. A shortbread cookie needs no fancy tools and minimal effort. If you’re more experienced, kneading dough offers a deeply tactile, meditative break from screens. Once that warm, sugary aroma fills your home, notifications feel strangely irrelevant. Bonus points for sharing the results with neighbours or friends—real connection beats forwarded reels every time.
Podluck
Okay, hear us out. The world could maybe do with one less opinion, especially when cancel culture is the new age plague. However, the onset of podcasts has introduced listeners to new ideas and ideals, with tough debates, long conversations, and genuine listening. If you have an honest contribution to this burgeoning world, why not start a podcast club? Invite like-minded individuals to discuss subjects of significance on a rotating basis and let facts do the talking. Word of caution, though: avoid sensationalising topics, and deep-dive into meaningful ones instead. For instance, a day in the life of an ethical hacker, if that’s your forte. Or confessions of the exit interview, if you work in HR. Deep dives, with a side of entertaining honesty. Leaning on tech, yet away from the screen, a podcast is the best way to hone one of the most untapped human skills: listening.
Less mess = less stress
No better way to declutter the mind than to declutter your surroundings. The Japanese call it Danshari, which can be split into three parts: Dan (refuse), Sha (dispose), and Ri (separate). It's a proven method for effective decluttering by ridding oneself of extra items and excessive materialism. So go ahead, channel your inner Monica Geller and opt for a deep cleanse; closet, cabinets and everything in between. Here’s the kick, though: don’t pressure yourself into competing with Pinterest (unless that’s your thing). Make this a practical process for you, putting utility above all else. It’s not always about colour-coordinated aesthetics and grid-friendly visuals. If you need some motivation, turn on a playlist customised specifically for this occasion and simply get going!
Host with the most
The hosting game ranges widely from planned weekly ramen nights with your closest crew (that basically require little to no planning), to more elaborate set-ups such as festive dinners with your extended social circle. Either way, the entire process of planning the event becomes an experience in itself: tactile and sensory, with table scaping, karaoke nights, and real-time interactions that even VR glasses cannot replicate. Just remember the fine line between hosting and people-pleasing. This is about bonding, not networking. Think warm lighting, board games, chaat-cuterie boards, allergen-friendly bites, and thoughtful party favours. If phones come out, let it be to capture memories—not replace them.
No strings attached
Tune into the best version of yourself by learning an instrument. It’s like learning a new language that resonates with people from all over the world, regardless of where they’re from. A universal lingo that appeals to the senses. While the gym is great for physical upliftment, music plays an instrumental role in benefiting mental health, as evident in research over the years. From calming the mind to serving as a decoder of emotions and more, music heals. When you commit time to learning, the payoff goes far beyond skill. Take George Harrison—had he not taken up the sitar in his twenties, we wouldn’t have Norwegian Wood. Creativity thrives when it’s pressure-free.
Down to earth
Honestly? It’s the best way to grow. You know, touch some grass, recalibrate with Mother Nature, etc. And depending on where you are, it’s best to start small. For instance, basil is a fairly easy one to begin with and makes for a great garnish for bruschetta, salads, rice bowls, and more. Meanwhile, the spider plant is an excellent choice for pet parents and survives even in indirect sunlight. But if florals for spring do sound groundbreaking, opt for sunflowers, which are low-maintenance and will add an instant pop of colour to your home. For those blessed with the space, hydroponics or farming are great options to go off-screen, too. Remember, compost is the gold you must invest in here. Check with local farmers for the best tips on what kind of crops to grow in which season, depending on the area you’re based in. Because in a culture obsessed with instant gratification, growing something teaches patience—and the reward feels earned.
Dabble in hobbies
We did it briefly during the lockdown, and we can do it again. There’s candle making, horse riding, crochet, paint by number, dream journaling, foraging, and more. The options are plenty, with plenty more scope for digital detoxing en route. Pursuing passions not only puts the brain in a “flow state” of mind, but also becomes an organic way to meet like-minded individuals, build a community beyond the workplace, or even turn into a parallel income stream. Take a cue from our film friends, be it Julia Child or Emily, both in Paris. The former turned cooking into a culinary empire while making French cuisine accessible and doable for an American audience, while the latter continues to find (and make) her way as an aspiring marketing executive in Paris. Hobbies can take you places; it’s not timepass, but a great way to pass time. There’s no bonus, increment or client at stake here, and when that kind of pressure ceases to exist, you may magically find that you’ve got a lot more time on hand.
Images: Courtesy Netflix
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