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Like many, I developed some unhealthy digital habits over the pandemic years. I work from home and have easy internet access on my phone and laptop. Without much of a commute or regular office interactions, screens dominated my attention.
The Trigger — Realizing My News Habit Was Unhealthy
I wasn’t conscious of just how much time I sank into scrolling newsfeeds and social media until I started feeling more anxious and worried about the state of the world. The nonstop negativity was bringing me down.
At first, I told myself I just wanted to stay informed. But if I’m truly honest, a lot of it was doomscrolling — compulsively scanning for the latest crises, conflicts, and viral outrage stories.
The constant flood of information was addictive yet left me feeling powerless. I realized keeping up with every new disaster and controversy was fruitless. The anxiety I felt wasn’t helping me or anyone else — it was just an unhealthy digital habit I needed to break.