We all know the feeling (too well) of picking up your phone to check one thing and before you know it, you’ve spent the last hour scrolling through TikTok or Instagram. Somewhere between a friend’s vacation photos, a skincare recommendation, and the latest clicky headline, you’ve fallen down a rabbit hole you never intended to enter. This habit has become so common that it has a name: doomscrolling. Doomscrolling refers to mindlessly scrolling through content for long periods of time, often consuming a mix of negative news, online drama, and comparison-driven posts. What starts as a quick social media check can easily turn into an hour of endless scrolling that leaves you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, distracted, or simply drained.
When it comes to social media, most people think there are only two options: keep scrolling or quit altogether (evident in the rise in popularity of the digital detox). But what if there was a middle ground? A way to use social media without feeling depleted by it? Enter bloomscrolling.
What is bloomscrolling?
Bloomscrolling is the practice of intentionally engaging with content (see: commenting on posts, following accounts, and curating your algorithm) that leaves you feeling inspired, educated, hopeful, or energized. Instead of passively consuming whatever an algorithm serves up that likely leaves you feeling anxious, drained, or unmotivated, bloomscrolling encourages you to curate a digital environment that supports your well-being.
If doomscrolling leaves you feeling wilted, bloomscrolling helps you flourish; it’s scrolling with strategy, ensuring your algorithm feeds you content that will make your life better rather than worse. Bloomscrolling does not have to mean blocking all news channels, but it does encourage an intentional balance by choosing content that helps you learn, grow, and connect–alongside news and information that will keep you informed.
“If doomscrolling leaves you feeling wilted, bloomscrolling helps you flourish.”
Why what we consume online matters
Most of us spend hours each day consuming content, but we rarely stop to consider how that content affects us. Content is just like food; depending on the quality, it can leave us feeling nourished or feeling awful. But we do not realize we’re constantly eating the digital equivalent of fast food, and then wondering why we feel so anxious, stressed, unmotivated, or disconnected. The content we regularly consume can shape our mindset, emotions, perspective, and mood. The challenge is that social media platforms are designed to keep us scrolling; their algorithms prioritize content that captures our attention and before we know it, a quick five-minute scroll can turn into an hour spent consuming content that entertains us in the moment, but leaves us unfulfilled.
The good news? The opposite can be true, too.
Content that sparks curiosity, creativity, or gratitude can influence how we feel as well. Seeing stories of people making positive change, learning a new skill, discovering beautiful places, or finding practical solutions to everyday challenges can broaden our perspective and remind us that there is more to the world than the latest trend.
Signs your feed could use a refresh
Not sure whether your scrolling habits are helping or hurting you? It may be time to reassess your feed if:
- You regularly feel anxious, overwhelmed, or discouraged after scrolling.
- You find yourself constantly comparing your life to other people’s highlight reels.
- You leave your social media apps feeling drained, unmotivated, stressed, or fatigued.
- You rarely learn something new or discover ideas that genuinely interest you.
- You follow accounts out of habit, even though they no longer add value to your life.
- You spend more time mindlessly consuming content than engaging with it intentionally.
If any of these sound familiar, a little digital decluttering may be in order.
How to start bloomscrolling
The first step is taking inventory of what you’re already consuming. Pay attention to how different accounts make you feel. You don’t need to unfollow everyone overnight, but consider muting or removing accounts that consistently leave you feeling worse. Gradually mute or unfollow any account that does not leave you feeling better than when you came on the app (such as your friend’s college roommate or a negative gossip channel). When scrolling through your “For You Page,” you can select “Not Interested” under the options on videos that do not feel inspiring or healthy for you.
2. Follow content that helps you grow
Bloomscrolling isn’t just about removing negative content, it’s about adding more of what nourishes you. Look for creators, educators, and organizations that align with your interests and values. Maybe that’s wellness professionals, book reviewers, artists, conservation organizations, nature photographers, travel creators, financial educators, or people teaching practical life skills. Seek out accounts to follow, but also engage with content that boosts your mood so your social media apps will feed you more content like that. Your algorithm works like your energy: whatever you pay attention to, you get more of. If you engage with and watch videos that feel inspiring and boost your mood, your algorithm will show you more of that. The goal is to create a feed that reflects the life you aspire to or boosts your mood, rather than an endless slew of content that grabs your attention for a few seconds and leaves you feeling worse.
3. Scroll with intention
Before opening an app, ask yourself why you’re there. Are you looking for inspiration? Trying to learn something? Catching up with friends? Having a purpose can help prevent the endless cycle of opening one video after another without thinking about how it’s affecting you.
4. Balance online inspiration with real life
Social media can be a wonderful source of ideas and connection, but it works best when it complements your life rather than replaces it. Spend time in nature. Read a book. Take a walk. Try a new hobby. Call a friend. The richer your offline life becomes, the less likely you are to rely on endless scrolling for stimulation and fulfillment.
TL;DR
The content we consume shapes more than we realize. It influences our mood, our perspective, and even how we see ourselves and the world around us. Bloomscrolling offers a simple reminder that while we can’t always control what appears online, we can be more intentional about what we choose to engage with. You don’t have to delete your apps or swear off social media forever. Sometimes, creating a healthier relationship with technology starts with something much smaller: choosing content that helps you bloom instead of content that leaves you feeling burned out.
Leanna Julius, Contributing Writer
Leanna is a long-time reader turned contributing writer for The Everygirl. She specializes in wellness and lifestyle content and strives to help others be their happiest and healthiest by sharing sustainable and simple life-approved tips and tricks.
