As I'm typing this article, I have approximately 27 tabs open between my phone and my laptop while my favorite comfort TV show plays in the background. This might seem like a sure-fire way to induce anxiety, but it has the opposite effect on me.
As an introvert, I need a lot of alone time, but too much silence can cause ruminating thoughts. Switching between streaming services, YouTube, Reddit, Wikipedia, Twitter, and various online publications turned out to be the solution. Though going deep down the Internet rabbit hole is usually advised against, it has had several benefits for me.
1. High-Quality Comedy
One of the pros of social media is that everyone has a platform. I've found many lesser-known creatives including activists, beauty gurus, and authors but nothing can shift my mood faster than the comedy on social media. To find the humor in our flaws and even traumatic events can be therapeutic, and knowing that millions of others share the same experiences is surprisingly comforting.
2. Insightful Commentary
When I finish a great book, see a good film, or hear the latest breaking political news, sometimes I'm left in shock and awe. My close friends and family mostly share my same views when it comes to politics and prefer the same genres of books and films, so I'm grateful that I can see diverse opinions from people online. While I have come across some negativity, the pros outweigh the cons. I have found some truly thought-provoking content and recommendations for things I would have otherwise ignored.
3. New Places To Discover
There are enough places in the world for exploration, and you'll still not reach all of them. Thankfully, you can find tourism videos and articles for even the most remote places on earth. You can read up on the best season to visit, hotels, restaurants, and other exciting things to do and see. Mapping out the details will keep you focused and excited about your endless future plans. You'll find yourself looking forward to reaching all the places you haven't visited yet.
4. Inspiration
Going digital to destress is entertaining but eventually, I have to get back to my responsibilities. That's when the time-waster doubles as a motivator. There are so many great websites, e-Books and content creators with inspiring messages and stories. As the decade came to a close, celebrities like Issa Rae and Lizzo shared their tweets pre-fame:
beginning of the decade. https://t.co/WImLbcoyth
— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) December 13, 2019
That's all the motivation I need to put my phone down, close my tabs, and get to work.
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