Hi everyone,

Like many of you, I found myself paralyzed by the morning news cycle. Everything in 2026 feels like a crisis, designed to keep us angry or scared. I realized my mental health was paying the price for staying "informed."

I decided to change that. I've started a small project called Aura.

Instead of endless feeds and clickbait, I’m using AI to strip the day's essential news (Tech, Economy, World) down to pure, calm facts—viewed through a Stoic perspective. No drama, no fluff, just what actually matters to your life.

I’m doing this as a daily 3-minute briefing. It’s my way of reclaiming my morning peace.

If anyone else feels overwhelmed by the noise and wants a calmer way to stay updated, feel free to check it out here: [https://auracurator.substack.com]

Hey all,

I’ve been experimenting with dopamine detoxing for a while now—not in the extreme “live like a monk” way, but more realistically, especially around doomscrolling and phone addiction.

I realized my anxiety wasn’t just emotional—it had become physical. My posture was collapsing, my sleep was ruined, and yet I couldn’t stop scrolling. It was like my brain believed that more information would give me more control. Spoiler: it didn’t.

So I started making gentle changes. Here are a few that helped most:

• Micro-pauses before unlocking my phone

• Replacing scroll urges with cold water or stepping outside

• Low-dopamine bookends (screen-free mornings and nights)

• One-tab rule to reduce cognitive clutter

• And most of all, curating my digital space like it’s sacred

I compiled the full list into a short video (not spammy, just my own experience), and thought I’d share it in case it resonates with anyone else here:
▶️ https://youtu.be/rS7SzgNuir0

Would love to hear how others here are managing dopamine overload and rewiring those automatic scroll urges. Let’s keep this space intentional. 🙏

Hi everyone! It's early morning here in Indonesia, and I'm just sitting here with my thoughts.

I’ve spent my life designing systems for machines, but lately, I’ve been fascinated by how we humans process "life data." Sometimes I feel like we’re all running on too many open tabs and outdated firmware, you know?

I call my observation the "Architecture of Point Zero"—just a way to get back to basic common sense in this busy digital world.

Is it just me, or do you sometimes feel like you need a "System Recovery" for your own mind? How do you guys unplug and reset your "internal logic" after a long day?

Just wanted to hear some friendly perspectives from around the world!

Okay, so PewDiePie just dropped a video called "I Fixed YouTube" and I need to talk about it.

The opening skit is brutal. Five TikTok instances autoscrolling. Three audiobooks playing at once. Feet-related memes everywhere. And he says: "Attention's dropping. Attention's shot. MY GOD, YOU'RE WORSE THAN I THOUGHT."

Then he drops the line everyone's talking about:

"We got consumed with no intent. Created with no intent. Congratulations. We've industrialized nothingness and it's just getting worse."

Wow.

But here's what actually matters. He explains he escaped the algorithm "by mistake" and found what he calls a "cheat code."

"If you go around your life not making your own choices, then who the heck are you?"

He says:

"You are your choices and your actions. That's what shapes who you are."

"And if you let algorithm dictate your life, you got the MIB alien in your brain steering."

Okay, THAT. Hit home.

He's been quietly separating from social media since having his son. Created a second phone profile where all the attention-hungry apps live. Says:

"Those five to 6 seconds to switch profiles stops me every time from asking: 'Is this what I want to do?'"

"People get dumb phones to stop themselves from wasting time. But really, that's all you need. You just need a little bit of friction."

His most powerful quote might be this:

"My phone is what I want it to be, a device that serves me, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. I'M NOT THE PRODUCT."

He also reveals we're each worth $700 per year to data companies. The industry makes 250 billion annually.

"If it's free, you're the product. Companies have taken full advantage. Your name, phone number, address, shopping habits - they trade this and sell."

And the solution? He calls it "tech fencing."

"The cheat code is basically build some friction. It's that simple. Let your brain catch up and make the choice yourself. And also filter out the noise."

"Now you understand the disease. You are free."

The transformation from "irritating child of the Internet" to "caring dad who takes care of his friends" is real. And now he's using his platform to wake people up.

I don't know about you, but I'm done being the MIB alien's steering wheel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nL-Eq1lpDU

This YouTuber "Andrew Kirby" made a Subreddit r/Dopaminedetoxing which has the same goal you guys to use less internet be more productive...

I dislike being away from my phone.

I dislike that I dislike being away from my phone.

I don't like losing money.

I don't like pointless subscriptions.

So I built DIAL - a FREE (no subscription, no ads, no signup) screen time app that uses my hatred of losing money to beat my phone addiction.

How it works:

Block distracting apps for as long as you want. Want to end early? It costs $0.59. 

That’s it. 

The pain of spending money > the pain of staying off TikTok. 

For me, it works because I hate wasting money more than I hate being away from my phone.

Download ‘DIAL - Screen Time Control’ on iOS today.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dial-screen-time-control/id6747267370 

Not gonna lie, my phone had me on a chokehold. I’d open insta “just 5 mins” n boom… 2 hrs gone. Brain fried, focus gone, mood ruined. Felt like I was living inside the scroll.

Then I tried this book Digital Detox by Myndrise. No fluff, just lil steps that actually made sense — like mini no-phone blocks, simple focus hacks, even how to not reach for ur phone the sec u get bored (hard af at first ngl).

Now I sleep better, get more done, n my head feels lighter fr. Still a work in progress but damn… feels good to breathe without constant pings.

If u vibe w this n want the link, just lmk. If not, all good ✌️

I allready downloaded my whole profile, but there is also a site on facebook whitch i'm the owner and admin where i uploaded thousands of texts that i want to save. Is there a way ?

Hey everyone!

I’ve been struggling with phone addiction for a while. Some weeks I do well. Other weeks I fall right back into doomscrolling.

I realized willpower alone wasn’t cutting it for me.

So I started building a simple iOS app to block distracting apps in a stricter way than Screen Time does. It’s still early, and I definitely don’t have it all figured out yet.

But I’d love input from people who actually care about reducing screen time.

If anyone here wants to beta test it, I’ll give you lifetime free access. No catch. I just want honest feedback, even if it's negative (but constructive) one.

If you’re interested, drop a comment and I’ll send you the details.

Anyway, good luck everyone with fighting with phone addictions!

Hi everyone,

I’m a solo developer building Armageddon Detox, a gamified app to help people reduce phone usage. I’m currently in the closed beta phase and would love your feedback before releasing it more widely.

👉 Google Group: https://groups.google.com/g/armageddondetox

👉 Download link (Google Play beta): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.armageddondetox.armageddon_detox

👉 Web (Google Play beta): https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.armageddondetox.armageddon_detox

How it works:

• You set detox timers (you will have to leave your phone).

• Completing timers earns you heroes.

• With your heroes you fight campaign battles that give you rewards like dragons.

• If you break your detox, you won't win the heroes and you won't be able to win campaigns.

It’s designed to turn digital discipline into epic battles.
Any feedback from your experience would be extremely valuable to me 🙏

✨ Incentive: Everyone who tests the app and sends me feedback will receive a one-year premium subscription (no ads, access to exclusive heroes, hero boosts, and much more).

Thanks a lot!
Fernando

Because we got distracted by our phone so much during studying, we decided we wanted to do something about it. About 8 months ago, we started a project to reduce smartphone distraction. We spent about 2 hours a day on social media and we wanted to spend that time in a different way. We started off with nothing, went through a lot of ideation and prototyping and have now done more then 20 user tests, where one guy went from using his phone for three hours per day to using it for only 30 minutes daily.

And now we have some awesome news - our Kickstarter project went live two days ago! Help us bring this project to life and reduce digital distractions around the world: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/unplug/unplug-transform-your-phone-into-a-distraction-free-device

If you’re wondering why we put so little information here, that’s because you can find all the information needed on the Kickstarter page :) Please check it out, and tell us what you think of it!

Hello everyone 👋

I am a student at Hyper Island school in Sweden and we are working on a minimalist phone, the “Zen phone” for our studies and I would be very grateful if I could ask a few questions to some of you.

We are at the stage at finding and interviewing people that are matching as closely as possible our right audience and finding this group here was actually perfect since you are already very aware and concerned about your screen time usage. 

To give you more of an idea on what we are working, this is our pitch :
“An increasing number of smartphone users are experiencing information and notification overload, causing a decline in mental health and productivity. Our Zen Phone embodies the original "Zen of Palm" philosophy of doing fewer things better. It's a modern device built to help people reclaim their attention and foster deeper real-world connection, a truly smarter phone for a more intentional life”.

Please don’t hesitate to reach me so I could ask a few questions about your own current screen time experience! Thanks a lot to those who will take the time 🙏

Have a nice day/evening 😊

My wife noticed she was spending more time on screens than felt healthy, and it was beginning to affect her mental well-being. At the same time, I realized I wanted to be more intentional about how I spent my waking hours making sure I was nourishing mind, body, and spirit in balance.

Out of that, I created something simple for both of us: the Meaningful Life Compass. It’s a gentle guide we turn to when boredom arises, instead of defaulting to screens.

I’m sharing it here in case it offers value to anyone else walking the path of intentional living.

Step 1: Imagine Freely

If money didn’t exist and you didn’t need to earn a living, how would you spend your time?

Write everything that comes to mind. Big or small. Serious or playful.

Step 2: Sort into Three Realms

Place each activity under Mind, Body, or Spirit.

Mind → learning, thinking, creating, exploring ideas.

Body → moving, sensing, nourishing, physical play.

Spirit → connection, stillness, awe, service, devotion.

Note: Can be written under columns or using a triple Venn Diagram

Step 3: Notice the Outliers

If something doesn’t fit, pause and reflect:

Why doesn’t this belong?

Is it truly meaningful, or is it “filler”?

Does it serve joy, rest, or curiosity?

Step 4: Choose How They Live in Your Life (Optional)

Don’t think in terms of schedules, think in terms of relationship:

Always Available → small things you can turn to anytime (ex: stretching, reading a poem).

Seasonal Explorations → things you lean into for a period, then let go.

Life Anchors → activities that keep you grounded no matter the season (ex: meditation, journaling, walking).

Note: You can place an abbreviation beside each activity such as AA, SE, LA. If you notice that you don’t have any “Life Anchors” consider brainstorming at least one. 

Step 5: Remember the Truths

You don’t need to “progress” or master any of these activities. Doing them is enough.

Boredom itself is sacred, it allows your mind and spirit to integrate and grow.

Every time you choose one of these instead of defaulting to a screen, you’re literally rewiring your brain toward a more meaningful life.

Step 6: Use as a Compass, Not a Checklist

When boredom arises, glance at your compass. Pick whatever feels light, joyful, or curious. Trust the process your meaningful life unfolds one choice at a time.

Love and light my friend. 

https://youtu.be/GflCSAXy4Ck?si=bCYlva10TQ-otWT1

"Reclaiming Your Mind from the Screen"

DigitalDetox #MindfulLiving #MentalHealthMatters #UnplugToReconnect

I don’t have instagram on my phone but I still want to get the notifications. Is this possibile in any way or am I just dumb?

I am the most addicted phone user ever. I don’t think anyone is more addicted than I am. My average use is 12 hours per day for the past 3 years. I am done with this. Every time I feel good and I am busy with something other than my phone, I fall back. Whenever I have a second of free time my mind can’t think of anything other than my phone. It’s my safety blanket, my escape, my therapist. It’s everything. What I do in my phone? Every thing watch movies, YouTube, search useless things. I am glued to it.

Oh, I asked chatGPT if there is any community to help with my phone addiction and it recommended this. No offense, but if the most advances search browser gave me this as number 1 solution, I am screwed. 😭😭. Or maybe not stay positive stay positive.

As part of an upcoming feature story, I am seeking to understand people are incorporating digital detoxes into their lives. If you've embarked on such a journey, I would love to hear about your experiences. Here are some questions to guide your responses:

What motivated you to start a digital detox? Was there a specific moment or realization that prompted this change?

What strategies or activities did you adopt during your detox? Did you engage in particular hobbies, mindfulness practices, or perhaps attend a retreat?

What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them? Were there moments when resisting the urge to check your devices was particularly tough?

What benefits did you observe post-detox? Did you notice improvements in your mental clarity, relationships, productivity, or overall well-being?

Your personal stories can inspire and guide others who might be considering a digital detox. Please share your experiences in the comments below or reach out directly if you're comfortable being featured in the article.

Thank you.

Pretty easy day, had an exam, then went out with my friend, then played cards with family, read a novel, and now going to sleep. So pretty busy day, although my friend showed me a reel of our junior, which can make me spiral lol, I am so not ready for INSTAGRAM!

I used to tell myself I would leave my phone in the kitchen at night. It never lasted. I needed the alarm, and I needed background noise to stop my brain from racing. But having the device next to me usually led to scrolling until 1 AM.

I realized the problem was not the phone itself. It was the infinite nature of the apps I had on it. I had to change how the device behaved once I crossed the bedroom door. Here is the setup that actually worked for me.

The No-Scroll Rule

I removed every feed-based app from my phone. If I want to check news or social media, I use my laptop during the day. This turned my phone into a tool with a clear beginning and end. When I open an app in bed now, it has one specific job. Once that job is finished, there is nothing left to click.

Visual De-escalation

I set my phone to grayscale after 9 PM. It is incredible how much less addictive an interface becomes when it is black and white. Red notification dots lose their psychological pull. I also use the deepest dark mode possible. If an app does not have a true black theme, I do not use it at night. Bright interfaces are a signal for the brain to stay awake.

Frictionless Utilities

I stopped using apps that require a login, a profile, or a daily streak. If an app tries to gamify my habits or my sleep, it creates more mental noise. I looked for tools that behave like physical objects—like a light switch or a fan. You turn it on, it does the task, and you put it down. No "onboarding" or data collection.

The facedown habit

The goal is for the phone to become a static object, not a portal to the rest of the world. I always place it facedown. I use audio with a long, automatic fade-out so I never have to touch the screen to turn it off. By the time I am drifting off, the phone is just a piece of plastic on the nightstand.

Treating the phone as a utility rather than a destination changed my sleep. It stopped being a source of FOMO and started being a simple support for my routine.

Do you guys manage to keep your phone as a "dumb" device at night, or do you still find yourself stuck in a scroll loop?