How to Cure Brain Rot
Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey! (Or however you spell “bakey”…)
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Have you noticed something strange happening to your brain lately?
Like all those hours scrolling through short-form videos are slowly turning you into a less intelligent version of yourself?
It’s not just you.
Oxford University Press named “brain rot” the dictionary word of the year, and its usage spiked 230% in 2024.
A phrase that started in Thoreau’s 1854 Walden has officially become the modern-day diagnosis for our collective digital hangover.
And it’s no wonder.
Today, every social media app offers endless reels, dual-screen videos, and algorithms working overtime to keep you hooked.
It’s like having a dopamine IV drip plugged directly into your brain.
But, brain rot isn’t caused by the content you consume.
It’s caused by the belief that you’re powerless against it.
Take this common excuse:
“I’d be more productive if I weren’t so addicted to my phone. Once I fix that, I’ll get my life together.”
Sound familiar? That belief traps you in a feedback loop of helplessness.
Let’s be real. Your phone isn’t pinning you to the couch.
TikTok isn’t forcing you to watch another “how not to cook” fail.
You have control over your actions—you just need to reclaim it.
If the first thing you do is check your phone, you’re setting yourself up for a passive day.
Instead, start with as little stimulation as possible.
Sip your coffee, reflect on what you want to accomplish, and let your imagination breathe before the world bombards you with its demands.
This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about feeling more in control of your day.
In reality, apps like TikTok and endless notifications are designed to pull you in.
So, fight back.
Delete time-wasting apps or, at the very least, disable 99% of their notifications, and only keep the essentials—texts, calls, and maybe your calendar.
Trust me, you don’t need a notification every time someone likes your post (and, not to shame anyone, but how many likes is your reposted meme really getting anyways?) or CapCut rolls out an update.
You can also do things that require you to physically move and engage with life.
Go for a walk. Hit the gym. Cook a meal. Grab coffee with a friend.
These moments remind you that the internet isn’t real—it’s just pixels on a screen.
Real life is where the magic happens.
In the end, we all make 35,000 decisions every day.
Each one is an opportunity to take control.
It’s not about the hand you’re dealt—it’s about how you play it.
The next time you catch yourself mindlessly scrolling, pause.
Ask yourself: Is this how I want to play my hand?
Because the truth is, the internet doesn’t control you.
You control you.
Have a wonderful week, all.
Keep on truckin’ - Scott (@motivatedscott).
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