Doom Scrolling vs Life Noticing
and the wonder of eating nachos.
“Doomscrolling is the act of spending too much time consuming negative news or other upsetting content online.”
If you’re seeing this in the midst of doom scrolling there’s a reason you feel like shit!
You know it.
I know it.
It’s slowly killing us.
This is not in any way a judgement of you as much as it’s a confession for me. There’s hard evidence that the companies that built our phones, make the apps we’re on, have spent billions to make sure we don’t put them down.
It’s really hard to beat billions.
But for me, it’s less helpful to condemn the desire to scroll and more useful to understand the desire underneath there… which I believe is wonder.
Wonder is a moment when all the bored narratives we live in go away for a moment. When we have eyes to see things anew. When the narratives stops and we are open to so much more than we thought was going on. When we are stopped by beauty and invited into seeing, if only for a few seconds, the deepness that lies behind everything.
I want wonder in my life.
And recognizing that desire allows me to stop doom scrolling and move to life noticing.
Take a deep breath.
Feel your heart beating in your chest (that you’re not in charge of!)
Smell some flowers. Notice the difference.
Eat some nachos. (what’s your favorite toppings)
Regard the magic of your hands.
Enjoy other peoples smiles.
Hold a smile for 30 seconds.
Ask for something embarrassing.
Enjoy a bowel movement. (without your phone)
Listen to the geese migrating.
Send a voice message to a friend for no other reason than to tell them you love them.
Contemplate the mystery of your consciousness.
Say “thank you” to everything you see.
Consider the avocado. Like, really… consider…. it.
Watch ants.
Notice how many sounds you’re hearing.
Ponder how everyone you see is having the same amount of complex thoughts emotion projections fears dreams hopes disappointments heartbreaks wishes as you are
It’s all miraculously happening…. If you just take a moment to notice it.
for my friends in Atlanta!
Got a new event that I’ll be doing with my co-author Justin McRoberts over the next year.
First date is Saturday February 8th!
it’s based off our upcoming book… a prayer book for the season of depression.
please please please preorder here!
I needed this reminder today, thank you! Any chance you might have one of your events in Virginia?
Scott, bro, I SOOOO needed this today, now, in this season of life. Thank you for writing this and being you and showing up in the world as your self. I also bought tix to your 2/8 ATL event with Justin and CANNOT WAIT! You have been a spiritual guide and prophetic voice for me these last 4 years since the death of my wife/bff of 19 years at the end of 2020. Thank you thank you!