Gen Z: Scrolling With Purpose

This may come as a shock, but I am a Gen Zer who is addicted to Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Netflix (just to name a few). I still haven’t re-downloaded Tik Tok in over 2 years, but I know that day is coming. I have no control over it. I am a helpless victim of the digital age; my social skills and ability to focus are slowly dwindling. Eventually, I won’t be able to pay attention in a meeting, or even feign understanding of my boyfriend’s job in IT compliance. I’ve checked my phone four times while writing this paragraph. But hey, aren’t I brave for admitting that??

Recently, I discovered just how much my well-being has suffered from social media apps, after returning to the initial sections of the BillionMinds Flexible Work Skills Curriculum. So, I decided to make changes to the way I use my phone. Below, I’ve shared some observations from the past month I’ve spent without social media apps, along with some tips for maximizing your phone’s potential without harming your productivity and wellbeing.

Observation I: Social media isn’t very social anymore?

The first observation I made after deleting Instagram and Facebook from my phone, was that I wasn’t missing out on updates from my friends and family. Instead, my feed was dominated by influencers, advertisements, suggestions of who to follow, and often disheartening news accounts. Rarely did I come across posts about my friends’ activities; rather, the content focused on what I should buy, who I should emulate, and what issues I should be deeply concerned about.?

For instance, my Instagram algorithm very clearly knows I am passionate about women’s rights. The constant influx of news outlets bombarding me with negative articles on how those rights are suffering, depleted me every time I opened the app.?

Observation II: I don’t miss it?

Most people who have misplaced their phone would attest to this: after 1-2 days without it, they’re still alive and thriving. This holds true for social media apps. After I passed the three-day mark without succumbing to endless scrolling, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Not only have I been more focused on my process at work, I’ve also become more observant and proactive in planning out my day because my mind isn’t occupied.?

It might sound trivial, but I've noticed a sudden surge in my motivation to exercise more frequently. Without the temptation to mindlessly browse social media after work, I find myself less inclined to slump on my bed. According to Medical News Today, mental exhaustion often manifests as physical fatigue. By eliminating something that drains my mental energy, I'm experiencing a revitalization of physical energy.

Observation III: I suddenly have hobbies?

Since deleting my social media apps four weeks ago, I have joined a writing club, indulged in reading exponentially more books, and committed to walking three miles a day. I even baked a cake from scratch, which turned out to be delicious. In the past, I might have saved a cake recipe from an Instagram Reel and promptly forgotten about it.?

Just to clarify, I have not completely disconnected from the media. I still watch plenty of TV, but I’ve made conscious efforts to make it less accessible for my brain to simply melt away. More details on this below.?

Tip I: Don’t go cold turkey

This is not my first attempt at quitting social media. In today’s world, it’s difficult to fully avoid all of the apps we’ve grown accustomed to scrolling through all day long. However, this time around, I took a different approach - I deleted the apps from my phone but allow myself occasional access to social media through my browser. By doing so, not only is the media less accessible, I also spend only around 10 minutes a day actively doom scrolling.?

Tip II: Replace social media apps with something new

Admittedly, I still want to be entertained by my phone, but not in a manner that inundates me with negativity and ruins my mood throughout the day. Below is a list of apps that I have either downloaded or re-prioritized since deleting social media.?

Goodreads - While technically a form of social media, Goodreads is dedicated to books! I can track what my friends are reading, log my progress in a book, and mark when I've completed a read. Moreover, I've compiled a substantial "want to read" list and ventured into new genres. Unlike traditional social media platforms, I'm not bombarded with ads or news. Instead, I feel a sense of excitement and accomplishment when I log on to record progress and check on my friends' reading lists.

BillionMinds - I rely on BillionMinds to enhance my Flexible Work Skills. Through modules covering Wellbeing, Organization, Control, Balance, Motivation, Adaptability, and Resilience, I engage in daily micro-learning experiences. This allows me to not only sharpen these skills within the app but also apply them to my hybrid job. Having completed the BillionMinds Flexible Work Skills Certification, I'm now striving for the Flexible Work Skills Certification for Managers before progressing to the AI Readiness Program.

Nibble - Another micro-learning app I utilize during work breaks. Here, I can delve into quick lessons spanning philosophy, art, personal finance, history, or logic. These interactive lessons often include short quizzes, making the learning experience both entertaining and educational.

Tip III: Put positive apps at the forefront of your home screen

I still have some apps on my phone that tend to drain my brain battery, including shopping apps, LinkedIn, certain games, and more. However, I’ve made a conscious effort to prioritize my more productive apps by placing them front and center on my home screen. Meanwhile, I've organized the rest of my apps into folders for easy access. This way, everything remains readily available, but the apps that contribute most positively to my day are easily accessible without having to sift through folders.?

All things considered, maneuvering through today’s media expectations as a Gen Zer is challenging, especially in the realm of social media. While completely disregarding social platforms may not be practical, we can proactively reassess our digital habits and reclaim control of our time. Through prioritizing positive apps and limiting my daily doom scrolling, I've realized that even minor changes can yield substantial improvements in my well-being and productivity. As we navigate today’s digital terrain, let's acknowledge the habits that hinder us and seize the opportunities for growth and fulfillment.

About Me

Hello! I'm Gigi, the Growth and Customer Experience Manager at BillionMinds. If you enjoyed this article, I'd love to hear from you! Even if you didn't, I'm still up for a chat. Feel free to message me or comment below, and follow me for more similar content.

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