There's a Simple Alternative to the Endless Scroll of Rage-Bait and Bad News

Hi. Welcome to Bloom Anywhere. I'm Gwen Moran, a writer, editor, author, and problem-solver. My goal is to share information, ideas, and resources to help you overcome obstacles, reach your goals, and get more joy out of life, even when things are messy. Thanks for joining me. (If you got this from a friend, subscribe here: Bloom Anywhere.) I'd love your feedback and suggestions for future topics. Please send me an email: connect@bloomanywhere.com.

During this period when it feels like there’s another “breaking news alert” every other minute, it’s easy to get into the habit of doomscrolling. We look through our social media feeds, ingesting copious amounts of whatever our algorithms serve up. And that’s often enough to give anyone indigestion and a headache.

I’m proposing an alternative.

Each day, we are surrounded by beauty. People we love. Gorgeous plants, landscapes, flowers, and items. Moments that make us smile. Many times, we capture these items on our phones. And then they sit there, buried underneath a slew of new photographs.

Collect the Best Snaps

With a little extra effort, use your phone's gallery app to organize those happy moments and memories into mini albums that provide a place to reconnect with what you love. Then, instead of dipping into an endless scroll of bad news and dread, you can revisit your favorite people, places, and things. It’s the opposite of doomscrolling. It’s bloomscrolling!

Here’s a sampling of some of my latest favorites:

Last weekend, I went with my family to Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. It’s a 42-acre sculpture and garden park—and a favorite place to visit. So, I added a few of those.

My friend Perryanne posts the most beautiful beach photos. I asked her permission to save one of my favorites to my phone and republish it here. (Always secure written permission before republishing someone else’s photography, writing, illustrations, or other creations, as they own the copyright to it.)

I’ve come across the most beautiful flowers lately. And a surprise visit from a Monarch butterfly. I added those.

And what would any collection be without a few pet and “adorable baby deer seen in my yard” photos? Added. And so on.

Create as many collections as you like. I have a “faves” collection, a “family” collection, and others. When I feel like getting a dopamine rush, I simply pull up the album and look at them. And not one rage-bait item among them.

What are you doing to infuse your day with bits of joy? I'd love to know. Please send your suggestions to: connect@bloomanywhere.com.

Bloom Drops

Things I want to share with you.

Bloomscrolling offline. Put your bloomscrolling front and center by uploading the photos onto a digital frame like one of these. Put the frame on your desk or anywhere else within view and enjoy.

Reading. I just finished Jo Piazza's The Sicilian Inheritance. Steamy, mysterious, and entertaining. It's a fun summer read.

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