A Call to Stop Doom-Scrolling

Issue 29: A Call to Stop Doom-Scrolling

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Issue 29: A Call to Stop Doom-Scrolling

It's August and while the world is still in an unprecedented state of uncertainty, life continues off screen. This month on the Slow Scroll, we're taking a look at how we can stop doom-scrolling, quell loneliness in prolonged periods of confinement, and how artists are communicating with each other underneath the 'new normal'.

Read on for more on how to make the best out of strange and restrictive times.

Stop Doom-Scrolling + Reconnect With Yourself

If you're stuck at home, it's far easier than ever to fall susceptible to 'doom-scrolling' defined as 'falling into deep, morbid rabbit holes filled with coronavirus content, agitating myself to the point of physical discomfort, erasing any hope of a good night’s sleep.'

During chaotic times, it's important to remind yourself that it's okay to shut off your phone and to acknowledge any feelings you may not have experienced before, like anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss. We're reading these helpful blog posts from therapist Esther Perel to help deal with pandemic-related emotions and how your relationships will change.

Adopt a Travel Mindset Even While Stuck at Home

For travelers who are frustrated by the limits of travel this summer, this piece from travel writer and host Rick Steves is a must read. He, like so many others, is stuck at home for the first time in thirty years.

What he has realized in his restricted state is that travel is a mindset, and one can adopt that even when one cannot wander far:

"Travelers are free to wonder, seeking inspiration. We marvel at the glorious achievements of the past: ancient Greek philosophy, Renaissance genius, heroic struggles for liberty, equality, brotherhood. While many Americans temporarily cannot visit museums, cathedrals, and monuments, we can be inspired by books, movies, lectures, and conversations. We can explore our backyards like a tourist would. In the past few months, I’ve read the historic plaques in my hometown, wandered through our little cemetery, and admired the church steeple (even if it’s just a painted cross mounted on hardware-store dowels)."

Read the full piece here, check out this podcast with him and then look at your surroundings with new eyes.

WATCH: Decameron Row

During the 14th century, Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio put together The Decameron, a book containing 100 tales told by a group of seven young women and three young men sheltering in a secluded villa outside of Florence, hiding from the Black Death—the bubonic plague.

Storytelling is more important than ever in these times—stories can save us, according to anthropologist Michael Meade. It's our gift to take the threads left behind by chaos and to weave them into something new.

Artists are doing just that everywhere, in short story and short, one-minute video form. We hope you take the time to tell your own story. Thank you for reading, and as always, you can e-mail us here with any feedback, thoughts, or other tips on living IRL.

Send this to a friend who needs some tips on how to connect IRL. Then call them up for a chat.

Why ‘The Slow Scroll’?

Social Isolation is Killing Us. Tech companies are failing us. And we’re all hopelessly addicted to our screens.

Living IRL has never been more important.

That’s why we created The Slow Scroll, a biweekly newsletter by IRL Labs, sent directly to your inbox (oh the irony). The Slow Scroll curates the latest and most inspiring content and resources, empowering readers to untether and live slowly.

Brought to you by...

Ivan Cash, Editor-in-Chief
Cyrena Lee, Editor and Lead Writer
Erin Ellis, Illustrator

Mailing Address
IRL Labs
PO BOX 24213
Oakland, CA 94623

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The Slow Scroll is a curated newsletter dedicated to helping you live IRL.
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