7 Things to do Instead of Doomscrolling

Summary

Boredom isn't a placid feeling but an agitated one that can hurt. Instead of seeking more stimulation, try sitting with it. This can lead to productive ideas. Read interesting books, exercise, learn new skills, and work on your purpose. Meditation and journaling can help calm your mind and bring clarity. For low-energy moments, choose intentional consumption like movies or podcasts. These activities can help you break free from mindless scrolling and make better use of your time.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Boredom is not a placid emotion; it is restless and agitated.
• 💡 Instead of seeking more stimulation when bored, try sitting with the feeling and allowing your brain to find its own stimulation.
• 📚 Reading can be a productive way to combat boredom. Choose books that interest you, similar to the content you enjoy watching.
• 🏃 Exercise is a simple and effective way to overcome boredom and get moving.
• 🎸 Use the time saved from mindless scrolling to learn a new skill or hobby. Devoting an hour a day can lead to significant progress over a year.
• 💼 Spend time working on your purpose, such as a business, charity, or studies. Consistent effort can lead to great accomplishments.
• 🧘 Meditation can help alleviate boredom by stopping the mind from ruminating and giving a feeling of presence.
• 📝 Journaling acts as a bridge between the subconscious and conscious mind, helping to rationalize feelings and come up with solutions.
• 🎬 Find easy and enjoyable activities, such as movies or podcasts, for times when motivation is low. These should be intentional and finite.
• 🌟 Focus on intentional consumption, choosing activities that have a clear beginning and end, to avoid the endless cycle of mindless content.

Q & A

Why is boredom considered a problem according to the transcript?

Boredom is considered a problem because it's not a placid emotion as commonly thought. It's agitated and energetic, causing a feeling of restlessness that is difficult to shake off.

What is the common first response to boredom that the transcript suggests is wrong?

The common first response to boredom is seeking more stimulation, which the transcript suggests is wrong because it can exacerbate the feeling of agitation similar to a panic attack.

What alternative approach is recommended when experiencing boredom?

The recommended approach is to take a deep breath, sit with the feeling of boredom, and not act on it. This allows the brain to come up with ideas on its own after about 10 minutes, which are often more productive than seeking external stimulation.

What is the role of reading in overcoming boredom as per the transcript?

Reading is suggested as a way to overcome boredom because a good book can provide pure entertainment without the distractions of suggested content or the ability to swipe to the next item, which are common in digital media.

How does the transcript suggest using the time saved from not scrolling on social media?

The transcript suggests using the time saved to learn something new or to work on a purpose, such as a business, charity, or studies. This can lead to significant progress over time.

What are the 'Four IY Guy Questions' mentioned in the transcript, and how can they be applied?

The 'Four IY Guy Questions' are: What do you love, what does the world need, what can you be paid for, and what are you good at. They can be applied by devoting time to making a happen based on the intersection of these four areas.

Why is meditation recommended in the transcript as a way to deal with boredom?

Meditation is recommended because it can kill the inner voice, stop the mind from ruminating, and give a feeling of presence, making the feeling of boredom easier to handle.

How does journaling help in managing boredom according to the transcript?

Journaling helps by acting as a bridge between the subconscious and conscious mind, aiding in rationalizing feelings, coming up with solutions, new ideas, and plans for goals, and providing a place to vent stress.

What is the concept of 'intentional consumption' mentioned in the transcript, and how can it be applied?

Intentional consumption refers to choosing activities that have a clear beginning and end without the distractions of up next, comments, or infinite feeds. It can be applied by selecting activities like watching a movie or listening to a podcast that provide easy consumption in a healthier way.

What is the final advice given in the transcript for dealing with times when there is zero motivation to do anything?

The final advice is to figure out a few easy and fun activities that can be done when there is no motivation. These activities should be pure fun and require minimal effort, such as watching movies or listening to podcasts.