The Tiny Habit That Finally Broke My Doomscrolling Addiction
It always started the same way. I’d grab my phone to check one notification… and an hour later, I was deep in a rabbit hole of breaking news, disaster headlines, outrage tweets, and strangers arguing in comment sections.
By bedtime, my brain felt like static. My mood? Shot. My anxiety? Sky-high.
I didn’t even realize it had a name until I saw it trending on Tumblr: doomscrolling.
And I knew I had to stop.
What Is Doomscrolling, Anyway?
Doomscrolling is the compulsive habit of endlessly consuming negative news or social media content — usually late at night or first thing in the morning.
It triggers stress hormones, disrupts sleep, and keeps you stuck in a cycle of worry and distraction.
In 2025, when there’s always something to stress over online, it’s more common than ever.
The Tiny Daily Habit That Broke the Cycle
After trying every productivity app and digital detox challenge I could find, one simple, non-tech habit worked:
I replaced my phone with a notebook for the first 10 minutes after waking up.
That’s it.
Every morning, before touching my phone, I:
Wrote down one thing I was grateful for
Jotted a random thought, dream, or idea
Set a tiny intention for the day (like “Drink water” or “Take a walk”)
It took less than 3 minutes. But it shifted everything.
Why It Worked
It gave my brain something gentle and grounding before the internet chaos. It created a mindful pause between waking and scrolling. It reduced my impulse to grab my phone the second my eyes opened. It gave me a sense of control and clarity — before the world’s noise kicked in.
The Results (After 3 Weeks)
I cut my screen time by 1.5 hours a day
I stopped checking news before bed
I started sleeping better and waking up calmer
My anxiety noticeably eased
I reclaimed my mornings
All from a notebook and pen.
Tips If You Want to Try It
Keep a notebook and pen beside your bed
No fancy prompts — just brain dump whatever comes up
Commit to 3 minutes a day for one week
Pair it with turning your phone on airplane mode at night
Be okay if some days it’s messy or boring — the point is doing it
Final Thought
Doomscrolling won’t fix the world’s problems. But it will rob you of your peace, sleep, and mental clarity.
In a hyper-connected, hyper-stimulated 2025, the most rebellious thing you can do is start your day on your terms.
And sometimes, it’s the tiniest habits that make the biggest difference.