How I Replaced My Doomscrolling Habit with Reading Again
And how you can gently retrain your attention without deleting every app on your phone.
Hey book besties, welcome to Bookish Brunch! A mid-week break to catch up. Grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let's dive into what I’ve been reading, what I’ve been loving and a sprinkle of fun. Share with me in the comments or chat what you’ve been up to!
I’ve noticed something weird lately — doomscrolling just isn’t hitting the same. That quick dopamine rush? Not rushing. And instead of feeling distracted, I’ve started feeling… kind of bored.
So I’ve been trying something different. Not a total phone detox or deleting every app — just shifting that default habit into something that actually feels better. This week I wanted to share how I’ve been replacing scroll time with reading time (without making it a whole productivity project) and the little things that helped make books feel easier to reach for again.
How I Replaced My Doomscrolling Habit with Reading Again
It starts with good intentions.
You’re just checking Instagram “real quick.”
Then you blink and you’ve somehow gone from a cozy bookshelf reel to a raccoon in a bucket hat holding a juice pouch. Your neck hurts. Your brain feels fuzzier. You forgot why you even opened your phone.
That used to be my exact evening routine.
I’d doomscroll my way into mental clutter, tell myself I should be reading, and then… doomscroll some more because the thought of a book felt “too much.”
But something had to change. Not out of guilt — just because I missed what reading gave me that scrolling never could.
Over time, I’ve found ways to read more and scroll less.
Not by quitting my phone cold turkey, but by making small, realistic shifts that worked with my habits instead of fighting them.
Before we get into how, I want to start with the why — because doomscrolling isn’t a personal failure. It’s a coping mechanism.
Why We Doomscroll in the First Place
1. We’re overstimulated — but still searching for escape.
You’re tired, but your brain’s spinning. You want to relax, but you can’t sit still. Scrolling promises a hit of something — anything — fast.
2. We’re trying to rest, but don’t know how.
Doomscrolling feels like “low effort” rest. But it doesn’t actually give your brain what it needs to recharge.
3. It’s a habit loop.
You scroll at red lights, in line, while brushing your teeth. Your fingers move before your brain catches up.
4. It gives us the illusion of connection.
You’re “catching up” without having to interact. It feels like socializing or information, even if it’s just noise.
I still scroll. Sometimes more than I’d like. But I also read way more now — and I feel better because of it.
👇 Here’s what helped me shift out of the scroll cycle, what I use to make reading more accessible, and how you can make the book the easier choice in your own life.