Burlap Sack: Doomscrolling to fill the time

During the semester, concern has somewhere to go. It is directed into deadlines, exams, and classes. During extended breaks, that outlet disappears, but the worry does not. Doomscrolling steps in to replace routine, and it feels responsible. You tell yourself you are staying informed rather than wasting time. You might check your phone before even getting out of bed or continue scrolling late into the night without realizing how much time has passed. Doomscrolling fills the space where productivity once existed, offering the sense of being occupied without actually accomplishing anything.

This is awareness without action. Doomscrolling involves consuming crises you cannot meaningfully respond to and absorbing distressing information secondhand with no way to intervene. Caring deeply with nowhere to direct that concern is what creates the exhaustion. The more you scroll, the more informed you feel, yet the less capable you become of doing anything about it.

Doomscrolling is not accidental, nor is it simply a failure of self-control. Social media platforms reward content that provokes strong emotional reactions, and outrage and fear sustain attention far longer than neutral information ever could. During periods of unstructured time, this design becomes especially effective. With fewer external demands competing for attention, feeds refresh endlessly, drawing users deeper into emotionally charged content and capitalizing on idle moments rather than intentional engagement.

Feeling anxious while doomscrolling can also feel like a form of responsibility. Stress becomes proof that you care and that you are paying attention to what is happening. In contrast, logging off can feel careless, even when stepping away would be healthier. The result is a loop in which anxiety masquerades as action and reinforces the belief that constant awareness equals control.

However, true control does not come from constant attentiveness, but from choosing when and how to engage. Stepping away from the feed is not indifference; it is a deliberate reclaiming of energy. Real preparedness comes from reflection and prioritization, not endless exposure to distressing information. Attention is limited, and protecting it is a quiet assertion of control in a system designed to keep you scrolling and overwhelmed.