These days, it’s a struggle to stay focused on writing. With so much happening in the world, worry and fear can consume our thoughts about what the future will bring – and how it might impact our writing careers and well-being.
While it’s important to know what’s going on, spending time doomscrolling news feeds not only can halt your writing progress, it can affect your mental health.
If you’ve never heard the term, doomscrolling is the act of spending hours reading news sites and social media news feeds that can be negative and make you feel sad, anxious, angry or upset.
Doomscrolling isn’t productive for several reasons:
- It’s a waste of time and energy.
- It takes you away from your writing and other constructive activities that you enjoy.
- Reading other people’s comments can attract negativity into your mindset
- With a negative mindset, your emotional state is compromised. When your mental health suffers, you don’t feel like writing.
But how do you balance the need to understand what’s happening in the world with the need to remain sane and positive?
Fortunately, there are things you can do instead of doomscrolling to help you maintain balance and equilibrium and to minimize the negativity.
Author Bryn Donovan offers her list of 100 activities to do instead of doomscrolling. Inspired by her list, I’ve created my own. It’s not nearly as extensive (only 25 activities) but they promise similar results – maintaining balance at a time when life seems rocky and unpredictable.
- Use writing as an outlet for escape. Try journaling or bury yourself in your latest work in progress.
- Commune with nature. Go for a walk, do some stargazing, sit by a river and watch the water flow, listen to the birds chirping, or watch squirrels chase one another.
- Listen to music. Ideally something soft and calming that will take the edge of your emotions.
- Get some exercise. Lift weights, go running, play golf or do some yoga. Staying active can give you peace of mind.
- Watch a movie. Fictional worlds can be easier to deal with.
- Dance. Put on some happy music and let your feet move.
- Call a friend or family member you haven’t talked to in a while.
- Watch sports. Go to a baseball game or watch a match on TV.
- Work on a puzzle or play a computer game.
- Cuddle or play with your favorite furry friend. They’ll appreciate the love and return it in kind.
- Spend an hour at the library or bookstore and browse the shelves.
- Spend time in the kitchen. Bake cookies or try out a new recipe.
- Read a book. Reading is always a good option to escape the stresses of life.
- Draft your next story or poem. Exercise those creative juices.
- Do some light housekeeping. Sweep the floors, do laundry or wash dishes.
- Take a bath or shower. Wash away those blues.
- Start a garden. Grow your own herbs.
- Sketch or draw. Or if you’re not artistic, color in an adult coloring book.
- Work on a crossword puzzle.
- Read the dictionary or thesaurus. Yeah, I know it sounds strange, but imagine how you can grow your vocabulary.
- Plan your next vacation. Check out different places you’d like to visit, then make plans to see them in person.
- Sign up for an online course. You’d be surprised how many low-cost or free courses are available through Udemy or Coursera.
- Read about writing. With so many writing blogs, your choices are endless.
- Update your music playlists. Add some new music or create a playlist with songs that make you feel good.
- Create something beautiful. Indulge in a craft of some sort, like make a floral arrangement, design a spring-themed wreath, make your own scented candle. Bringing beauty into the world, no matter how imperfect, can make you feel better.
The next time you’re tempted to indulge in doomscrolling on social media, take a step back. Consider doing something constructive instead. Your writing life and mental well-being will thank you.
The Regal Writer 