Hey there. I’m frustrated by algorithms. The internet has been part of my life for over twenty-five years, and I’m tired of scrolling and being fed what I’m supposedly wanting to see next. I think a lot of people feel the same way. Especially those of us who are thirty-five and older. We remember what life was like before social media, before smartphones, before the endless loop of algorithm-driven content.
Lately, I’ve been reading books and watching videos about this because everything just feels off. Technology that was meant to connect us has done the opposite. It isolates us. We’re not actively consuming, we’re just scrolling, waiting for the next piece of content to entertain or distract us. This isn’t just on social media. Think about how Netflix, YouTube, and every other platform try to predict what we want to see next.
I think we can take some of that control back.
Curating What You Consume
One of the biggest shifts I made recently was cleaning up my YouTube subscriptions. I went from following over fifty channels to just ten or twelve. It wasn’t about getting rid of content. It was about making sure that what I was seeing actually aligned with what I wanted to engage with.
If you want to take control of your scrolling, start by setting limits. If you enjoy new content recommendations, set a timer. Instead of relying on the algorithm to feed you, go straight to your subscriptions on YouTube. On Instagram, use the favorites list feature so you can prioritize the accounts that matter most.
TikTok has a "friends" tab that can help you focus on content from people you actually know. And across all social media, you can take a more intentional approach by searching for content instead of passively waiting for whatever gets pushed your way.
I’m not saying you should never scroll. But I do think it’s worth paying attention to how much time you spend doing it. These platforms are designed to keep you on them as long as possible. The more aware you are of that, the more you can decide how you actually want to spend your time.
Shifting to an Inside/Out Approach
Everything I talk about builds an inside/out life. The problem with endless scrolling and algorithm-driven content is that it pulls you into an outside-in approach. You’re looking for something external to fill the gaps.
I want you to connect with yourself. I want you to consume content intentionally, not just as a way to pass the time. That’s why I push people toward the daily email, blog, and podcast. You have control over when and how you engage with that content. It’s not just something that gets thrown into your feed to keep you occupied.
Taking Back Your Time
Since I started limiting my mindless scrolling, I’ve noticed the difference. I’ve been reading more. I’ve been paying closer attention to how I use my time. When I do slip back into the habit of scrolling, I recognize it and adjust.
That’s all I want for you—awareness. Once you start noticing how you consume content, you can make small changes to shift it in a direction that actually benefits you. The goal isn’t to cut out social media entirely. It’s to use it in a way that works for you instead of being controlled by it.
If you’re ready to take a more intentional approach to your mindset, confidence, and daily habits, consider joining The YLF Experience. It’s designed to help you work through the inside-out process at your own pace while giving you the tools and guidance you need to succeed.