Quote by Mark Black

Social media and doom scrolling often get negative comments, in this post I’m going to share why is just made for a wonderful midweek evening activity.

I work full time, I’m a parent and our social calendar is often full with observing our child at various sporting events. Around this schedule we cram in theatre, culture, friends, family and somewhere in the mix I add in all the delights that come with running a house and a dash of yoga for my sanity. I’m a huge reader and I also like to paint for fun.

Our current family lifestyle leaves little flexibility and so in the cracks I make sure I use my week well so that I can relax at the weekend should the opportunity arise (it’s so sad when the pitch is waterlogged).

This evening my son had evening training, so it was an early dinner and then his Dad took him to the training. This left me with a two hour window. After putting on some laundry I sat on the sofa with a cup of tea and scrolled social media…I learnt nothing. Instead I watched toddlers toddle, dogs do cute things, I laughed at people falling over, I smiled at cute quotes and sent funny memes to people who I thought would resonate with the content. I achieved nothing and at the same time as I scrolled it felt good and once I’d finished, I felt good.

Sometimes we need a little ‘junk’ activity in our lives to release us from our routine’s. We are not working ants or bees designed with once deeply ingrained habit/job to pursue. We are diverse beings that require so many things that often require balance…we need to socialise but need our down time, we need sleep but also to exercise, to feel productive, wanted and motivated…and sometimes we need to doom scroll with no learning intention or specific reason. Why? Balance.

Many of the blogs I have written often are about balance as it’s integral to our wellbeing, often when we are unbalanced we are depleted in an aspect of our lives whether that be work or play and that often leads to health issues. I’m not suggesting that we scroll on our phones for hours on a daily basis, but I am suggesting that once in a while it can be productive to be unproductive. However, you only reap the benefits if you are kind with the thoughts that follow. Don’t diet if you feel guilty every time you look lovingly in the patisserie window, or sulk when you didn’t go for the walk you said you was going to but then it rained.

This evening as I caught myself scrolling mindlessly and realised I was enjoying myself, I also gave myself permission to do so. I shall make sure this doesn’t become a habit and instead enjoy it the next time I need a little light release in my often busy day. When was the last time you ate something you don’t usually allow yourself? Watched a tv series that you enjoy or picked up a magazine full on uneducated speculation and ‘ten top tips’ that nobody ever needed? Everybody needs a little sugar in their tea from time to time.