Bored of Browsing? Here are 4 Steps to Digital Wellness

Last September, The Social Dilemma got everyone talking about the negatives of social media. You may have thought “I need to spend less time online.” If you tried to avoid the temptation of scrolling with limited success, you’re not alone. Finding balance with the technology in our lives is a difficult process. Through my personal digital wellness process and connecting with people in the NoSurf community, I’ve gathered some universal findings.

How do I stop wasting time on the internet?

Step 1. Connect with what you want.

When attempts at cutting back internet use fail, it’s often because there’s no meaningful activity to replace browsing with. This is why it’s important to ask yourself what you’re getting out of your internet use. For me, I used reddit to learn new things, and acquiring knowledge is something I value strongly. I realized that reading books would give me higher quality info, so I switched.

Step 2. Cultivate self-compassion.

When adjusting to any lifestyle change, slip-ups happen. You will “relapse” into your old habits, but that’s not the same thing as failure. Failure is giving up. Remember to be kind to yourself and try again.

Step 3. Utilize blocking software.

Many digital minimalists swear by Cold Turkey for desktop and AppBlock for mobile. You can experiment with when and how much of the internet you’d like to block. Blocking software is not a cure-all, but it’s a lot easier than relying purely on willpower to change habits.

Step 4: Prioritize mental health

When I’m depressed, my browsing habits are way more intense. Taking care of any underlying psychological issue is important to understanding and recovering from any compulsive behavior. Contact a mental health professional to find out more.

Utilize these steps as you continue on the path of technological wellness. Though there may be challenges, changing your relationship with the internet is more than worth it. Time is the most precious thing we have- and you’re learning to use yours wisely!

Take care,

-Madi