Things to do instead of doomscrolling 1-11

Hi, I’m Mapu, the writer behind the Substack publication Instead of Doomscrolling—a corner of the internet where you can join me on my journey of mindful media consumption. Over there, I share media roundups and curated media guides, but over here, I’ll be sharing the little things that bring comfort, purpose, and whimsy back into my life every single week. I hope you find some inspiration that sparks the curiosity to experience life beyond the algorithmic ways of the internet :)**

I don’t know about you, but personally, I want my 2026 to feel like 2016. There is a fervent collective nostalgia for that year we experienced a decade ago, and as the trend cycle goes, the 2000s are out, and the 2010s are in. It’s not like I care about the trend cycle too much, but I have definitely noticed how it’s manifesting on the internet, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t thrilled about it.

With the current state of the world, it feels almost inevitable to feel disconnected; AI slop everywhere, endless feeds with addictive algorithms, an unstable global landscape, loneliness rates at historic highs, and, honestly, the list could go on and on. I’m not saying that a few years ago things were perfect. Still, at least we had a better sense of connection, so I’m taking it into my own hands to prioritize human connection over algorithmic disconnection. Below, you’ll find some of the ways I find and enjoy human recommendations.