There's this myth in the creator world:

Scrolling equals research.

Every tap, every swipe, every "just checking what others are doing" is dressed up as staying informed or finding inspiration.

But in reality, here's what's really happening:

You're avoiding doing the hard part. The not-knowing. The blank page. The discomfort of not having it figured out. So you feed the algorithm your attention, hoping someone else's clarity will substitute for your own.

And the worst part? It feels productive.

The real cost of digital distraction

I've done it too—told myself I'm collecting ideas.

You're tapping through your feed, watching what other creators are building, convincing yourself it's fuel for your own work.

But halfway through, I realize I'm not collecting—I'm comparing.

That I'm not creating—I'm consuming.

The more tabs I have opened, the less I trust my own ideas.

It's not inspiration. It's full-blown sedation.

So what's the fix?

Replace scrolling with sorting

Instead of feeding your brain someone else's clarity, feed it your own breadcrumbs. Spend the same 15 minutes you would doom-scrolling to review:

  • Your notes
  • Your voice memos
  • Your unfinished drafts
  • Your half-built prototypes

You don't need more input—you need to process what you already have.

That's what builds a strong creator mindset.

The old belief is dying. Fast.

We're exiting the age of just-in-case consumption. There's simply too much noise out there (thanks, AI).

Let go of the lie that you need:

  • To see what every founder on X is building
  • To keep 42 tabs open "just in case"
  • To absorb more to feel ready

You don't need any of that. You need trust in your own direction—and the focus to follow it.

The people who are actually building things aren't always in your feed—they're too busy being in the weeds.

If you're tired of living in the margins of someone else's clarity, maybe it's time to unplug—and get back to yours.