Perhaps *THIS* is Why You Can't Stop Scrolling 🤳🏻

Does our evolutionary desire to survive keep us glued to our phones?

You’re addicted to your phone. I know it. You know it. We all know it.

And we’re all trying to break the cycle and yadda yadda yadda but, honestly, there are so many core facets of our lives that require our phone that can we ever really be entirely free of them?

I read something recently that felt like a real “ah-ha” moment — it was from the book The 5 Resets by Dr. Aditi Nerurkar (one of many takeaways I had from that book!). I explained her theory in a comment on a post by

Anne Helen Petersen

a few weeks ago and it garnered hundreds of likes — showing that this resonates, and that other people also feel like this might explain their endless doom scrolling.

Because, according to this theory, we aren’t really doom scrolling at all.

But rather, we’re scrolling because we want to survive.

Travel back in time with me 100,000 years or so. Our human ancestors are standing on the edge of an expansive plain and as the sun creeps down toward the horizon they look out across the tall grass wearily. There are countless things out there that can kill them.

They stay on high alert, repeatedly scanning their perimeter. Watching for signs of movement. Analyzing every sound. Staring at every tree, bush, and rock to ensure it’s not a predator.

Your brain is hard-wired for this routine. It’s hard wired to keep you alive. It is hard wired to constantly check your surroundings for signs of danger and then confirm your safety

So what happens when the things that scare us, upset us, and make us feel threatened are coming from the little device we hold in our hands?

Well, quite possibly, that exact same evolutionary reaction. Or at least this is what Dr. Nerurkar suggests and it feels true for me.

We stand guard. Eyes straining. All our senses on high alert. Searching for any signs of danger. Hoping to find reassurance that we are, indeed, safe.

Being aware of this and reminding myself of it when I’m frantically scrolling has brought a real sense of relief lately — when the amount of horrible news available on the blessed world-wide-web feels quite endless.

When I find myself in that loop: I stop, take a moment to pause, and ask “Am I looking for something specific or am I just hoping to find a sense of safety?”

And 99% of the time….I’m looking for safety.

Something that will take my nervous system from high-alert back to calm.

And we both know that scrolling isn’t likely to provide that.

So instead, I remind myself of the things that actually restore a sense of safety in my body, then I close my phone and do one of those things instead. I try not to come back to my phone until I’m feeling calm and regulated.

This is one of those moments where I’ll rely on my Happiness Guide (something I’ve encouraged you to make a dozen times, so please do it!). A happiness guide is just a simple list of things that make you feel happy.

My free PDF (download it below!) walks you through identifying actions within each of your five senses, and I always recommend adding options that require varying amounts of time or money — so that you have something to choose from no matter how limited your resources might be in that moment.

A few weeks of this and I can honestly say it has made a huge difference. I hope this offers a gentle perspective shift that might help you be easier on yourself and break that cycle when you find yourself in it.

If you’d like to see Dr. Nerurkar explain this, here’s an interview where she dives into the topic (this is not an endorsement for Mel Robbins, but this was the best clip I found):

TAKE ACTION

Another great way to counter this stress is to get off our phones and take real-life action. Feeling like we are doing something and being in community with people who feel the same is essential to feeling connected, empowered, and hopeful.

There are a series of peaceful protests being organized across the US (and some internationally!) for this Saturday, April 5th! The request of this movement is simple, “Donald Trump and Elon Musk think the US belongs to them. They’re taking everything they can get their hands on, and daring the world to stop them. On Saturday, April 5th, we’re taking to the streets nationwide to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!” It is being organized by MoveOn, Public Citizen, Stand Up America, and the Not Above The Law Coalition.

Whether it’s your first protest or your 800th, consider making time this weekend to attend an event near you, which you can locate on the event website:

They will also host two free, optional, online events on Tuesday and Wednesday that can help you prepare. If you’re feeling uncertain or are perhaps new to protesting, these can be watched in the comfort of your own home and might help you find the courage to join.

Mass Call for Mobilizing Against Trump’s Power Grab
TUESDAY, April 1st 8-9 PM EDT
Join movement leaders and experts to learn more about what we can do to resist Trump’s power grab.
RSVP HERE

De-escalation Training
WEDNESDAY, April 2 8-9 PM EDT
A core principle of the movement is non-violence. Learn how to ensure events stay safe for all attendees.
RSVP HERE

Hands Off Protests
SATURDAY, April 5
FIND A LOCAL EVENT HERE

Even though both the virtual events are in the middle of the night for me, I RSVP’d to both of them. Typically they will send out a recording of the call so you can watch it when it works for you.

---

HOW I CAN HELP:

🙋🏻‍♀️Ask me a question, submit feedback, or suggest a topic right here.

💻 Bring me on board to design your website, create digital products, and optimize the backend systems for your business with my Project Packages.

📞Have regular calls with me to work through goals, get accountability, plan your next big launch, or talk business strategy with a Call Package.

📝 Visit my Paper Goods Shop for planners, calendars, and more (take 10% off with the code SUBSTACK at checkout).

📊 Visit my Resources Page for free downloads, spreadsheets, and eBooks.