I quit social media and started crocheting. These are the benefits.

Doomscrolling through social media can take its toll on your mental health. But replacing that habit with a hobby can be beneficial.

Doomscrolling was ruining my life. Since the pandemic, I spent much of my free time scrolling online. And the more stressful the news was, the more addicted I got.

Studies have found that doomscrolling, the act of endlessly scrolling through social media or news apps and reading or watching negative articles or videos, is not good for your mental health. According to the Mayo Clinic, research done during the COVID-19 pandemic discovered that the more time people spent glued to their phones and consuming negative content on social media, the more distressed they felt. The University of North Carolina Health Caldwell reports that this constant exposure can also worsen anxiety and depression, leaving people feeling panicked or worried.

In August 2025, I noticed I was spending more time scrolling through Instagram and TikTok, and it became harder to focus on everyday activities. This sense of impending doom clouded my mind, but I still couldn't put down my phone, and I found it increasingly difficult to fall asleep. Then, once I realized I spent four or five hours scrolling through my phone, I felt guilty for not having used my time better by washing the dishes or vacuuming. I hadn't done anything that made me feel productive.

But the process started all over again the following day.

I only started seeing an improvement in my mood when I finally put my phone down and picked up a crochet hook in August 2025. As the calendar crept closer to the 2025 holiday season, I threw myself into crocheting presents for my friends and family. I created blankets, beanies, scarves, scrunchies, bandanas and even a pouch for a friend to store their drumsticks.