A couple weeks ago, I deleted social media off my phone. Insta and reddit was all that was left, but I noticed how much of a useless time sink they were becoming. My daily mood has also improved.
Now, I’ve been reading manga and playing chess online to fill the gap. But I’m still looking for suggestions on what else there is to do besides doom scroll. It’s not like I’m outlawing the internet entirely, I still have interests and hobbies etc, but I’m open to just about anything.
I have miniflux setup for RSS feeds, and I’ll doom scroll lemmy. For games I emulate old pokemon games. You can also just get lost in your thoughts for a bit too. It can really be good for your brain to just sit with your thoughts for a while.
Tighrope most days https://www.britannica.com/quiz/tightrope
Other than that just Lemmy.
Keep meaning to try learning Chess so I can play it online a little.
Is this Phil Dunphy?
Who?
Reading a paper book, playing balatro on mobile. I’m not using my phone as much, not with the current events happening.
Reading articles and books
Find the lesser posted contributors to your field/s of interest, read them, post them, share your thoughts.
This means you are actively using social media, actively considering different texts in subjects you already have an interest in, and actively using your brain to make considered contributions.
This is my go to. Take a look at my post history in aussie-enviro. I continually go out of my way to find environmental or conservation organisations themselves instead of waiting only for a news site like Guardian to do a write up themselves.
I’m finding my reading speed and attentiveness has improved, and i’ve better knowledge recall, especially on key details. Its of course fun as well.
Various solitaires via LÖVE Solitaire.
Simon Tantham puzzles
And, due to a Lemmy post I saw the other day, a game called Slice and Dice.
I came here to see if anyone else suggested Simon Tathams puzzles - it’s a real gem! Perfectly dull, all-quality puzzles with no bullshit!
Yes slice and dice! I would hate to know how many hours I’ve played on that game over three different phones.
If you haven’t tried them yet, slay the spire and balatro are also brilliant.Slay the spire has so many hours on my PC. I absolutely adore that game. For some reason I bounce off of Balatro, it doesn’t hook me in the same ways and I’m not sure why. I don’t feel smart enough for it lol
MTGA. Lots of fun.
Sir, please stop recommending crack to cure OP’s smoking addiction.
Hey man, I can quit whenever I like… Just one more draft and I’ll hit the big leagues
Wikipedia. Ballz game.
I have anki decks that i don’t use on everyday basis especially for that. You can spend from 2 seconds to hours on this.
Nothing. I only use a gaming PC to go online, draw, and play games on. I rarely even use my phone…
I hang out with all y’all jokers on lemmy
I play 20questions, and then get upset at the contradictions in my answers to others’
Mostly tiktok scrolling. It’s got a bad rep, but there’s a huge amount of seriously talented people on there doing amazing and creative things. I’m a 50-something year old guy and it quickly figured out I like videos about mine explores and restoring vintage vehicles. Once you learn to downvote stuff you don’t like, it’s quick to learn and aside from the comment bots or obvious trolls (Typically pro-Russian or Pro-Trump, if there’s a difference) it’s generally a positive thing, in moderation.
I totally get your desire about avoiding socials and have experienced the mood swings it can bring too. That’s made me quite tuned into how the algorithms are steering me. For me (and everyone’s experience is different) - Facebook is mostly bland generic stuff but quite useful for local content - just avoid the drama llamas), and use an advert blocker. Reddit is mixed. I used to be on there a lot and contributed and modded a bunch of stuff, but quit for a year after spez screwed over the app people. I skim it a bit now, but don’t give it much mind. X is awful, won’t go near it. Lemmy is less of a shitpost zone than most but still has too few people to be significant. We’re all helping with that though.
Lemmy aside, I think most algs will figure you out pretty quick. If you get involved in nasty commenting, it’ll feed you more of that. If you do the odd positive thing (as I try to) then it can be less toxic - but with all things, remember why you’re there. The more you feed it, the bigger to you it becomes. Balance is important, and be aware of how stuff is affecting you.
Anyway, beyond TT, crosswords, some news sites and the occasional candy crush.
Good question though, I’m reading other comments as it’s harder to find stuff outside of the main channels now.
There’s always some number of browser tabs, old apps, or miscellaneous files that accumulate on my phone. I like to clean those up during otherwise wasted time like waiting in line or while on public transport.
