In real life, emotions move at their own pace. You might feel low for a while, then have a laugh with a friend, or sit with your thoughts until calm returns. There’s a kind of rhythm to it; your body has time to catch up with what you’re feeling.
Scrolling, though, doesn’t follow that rhythm. One reel cracks you up, the next one makes you tear up, another sparks anger, and suddenly you’re inspired or jealous, all within minutes. That constant flip is what I like to call emotional whiplash.
It’s not that the content itself is all “bad.” It’s the speed at which we switch emotions that unsettles us. Your system doesn’t get to fully process one feeling before being thrown into another. And that’s why you often close the app feeling oddly restless, drained, or anxious.
What makes this tricky is how sneaky it is. We go in for five minutes, but the emotional rollercoaster keeps us hooked, and before we know it, 20 minutes are gone. Tasks pile up, guilt sets in, and the cycle repeats.
Next time you catch yourself deep in the scroll, try this little pause:
- Put your phone down for just a minute.
- Close your eyes and take a slow breath in… and a slow breath out. Do that three times.
- Place your hand on your chest and just check in: How am I actually feeling right now?
- Don’t overthink it, it’s “tired,” maybe “stressed,” just perhaps “numb.” Whatever it is, let yourself notice it.
That’s it. Nothing fancy, nothing dramatic. Just a small reset that gives your emotions a moment to catch up with you, instead of being dragged around by the feed.
Maybe the real question to ask is Why do I scroll so much? But rather, what is all this rapid shifting of emotions doing to me?
And even deeper than that, what are you really running away from? And what are you filling that time with?
Because in the end, it’s not just about the scroll… It’s about what you’re avoiding, and what you’re choosing instead.