A 2025 digital detox and holistic reset restored my energy and focus
My bloodwork was perfect. My life wasn’t. The GP doctor floated the D‑word in passing as an explanation for my flatlined energy levels. How could depression be the answer to days spent staring at the world like a zombie?
The depression I once knew was an all-consuming beast, a never-ending abyss of misery and mental torture.
My thought patterns weren’t dark, and I felt fine, except for being constantly tired even though I slept like a professional. I still laughed. This couldn’t be depression, could it?
The D-word lingered in my mind, tangled with a dose of denial. A label didn’t matter; depressed or not, a holistic approach to life couldn’t hurt. And so, 2025 became the year of transforming my life by detoxing from toxicity.
Number 1: The Doomscrolling
Following the news religiously is like watching a train wreck about to unfold. You can’t do anything but feel emotion: outrage, sadness, or some other negative feeling.
Feel-good stories are few and far between. By design, news stories evoke a negative reaction. It’s not like we can change anything, yet somehow we get emotionally invested. If we didn’t, the news cycle wouldn’t exist.
A few times, I fell off my self-imposed media blackout wagon. The doomscrolling compulsion to keep up with human depravity was too strong. I blame the algorithms.
Once a topic is clicked, your feed becomes littered with the same crap, like it’s your only interest in the world. And then, like a junkie, you can’t help yourself, and you click on another related story with the stupid belief you’ll gain more insight into the matter.
And don’t get me started on the animal cruelty clickbait. That just kills faith in humanity.
I asked Dr ChatGPT why I got stuck on the doomsday scroll and wasted my time.
Feeling out of control drives people to keep checking the news because seeking more information temporarily reduces uncertainty and feels like taking action, but the relief is short‑lived and often rebounds into more anxiety and more checking. This creates a vicious cycle where reassurance‑seeking through updates backfires, escalating worry and perpetuating the urge to scroll.
Guilty! It’s true. When something bothers me and I feel a lack of control on a personal level, I distract myself with the news and contentious issues that piss me off. It’s 100% counterproductive and self-sabotaging.
Since Dr ChatGPT kicked my butt for feeling out of control and being a loser, my doomscrolling marathons have ended. I still scan headlines to be informed, but I limit my time; after all, it’s the same shit, different day…
Number 2: Social Media
Social media can be a haven with like-minded people, or it can be a cesspool (I recommend you keep your mouth closed). Everyone’s got an opinion, and it seems nowadays opinions are strong and divisive. Political and controversial topics are impossible to avoid. Negativity is impossible to avoid.
Every time we share an opinion or thought online, we are opening ourselves up to backlash. Hell, I have no doubt this post will ruffle some feathers even though my intention is to share my experience.
One of my core values is freedom of expression. Bad things happen when people bottle their emotions, and as humans, we learn by sharing. Unfortunately, I haven’t been in the right headspace to hear or read the constant flood of personal opinions.
Trust me, my withdrawal caused internal conflict. As a writing instructor, I’ve supported and encouraged writers for decades. Writers should write whatever they want (this is a generalisation, of course). The real question is: do I have to engage?
Sometimes, for our mental health, we need to step back and take a mental holiday. Mental holidays help us keep a well-rounded perspective that isn’t bogged down with negativity. Our mindset shapes how we see the world and how we feel within the world.
For me, a mental holiday took the form of an unplanned blogging hiatus. I’ve been blogging for years, maybe I’ve burnt out?
Number 3: Who Makes You Miserable?
“You are who you hang with” — a pearl of wisdom from The Craft (1996) that etched itself into my teen brain.
I just want to apologise for those guys in French, they’re assholes.
You know what they say; you are who you hang with.
Wait did you just call me an asshole?
— The Craft (1996)
On deep reflection, I discovered the problematic people in my life fell into one of two camps: the opinionated and the toxic. As Sarah from the Craft (1996) said, “You are who you hang with”.
Hang out with drama, and you become a part of the drama. Troubling relationships and friendships can zap the energy out of me like summer’s midday sun.
The Toxic People
Everyone goes through traumatic or difficult times in their life — death, breakups, financial issues, abuse, medical issues, and other hardships. These stressors can turn a normally good-natured individual into a difficult person with a mean edge.
In the past, I’ve had to deal with traumatic experiences, and I’m so grateful for those who stuck through my pain and saw past my negativity and cutting tongue. I healed and overcame my troubles. Sometimes all we need is a friend during these dark phases. Or so I believed was the case for everyone.
The hard truth is, some people aren’t going through a phase. Some people don’t want to change. They are content being passive-aggressive. They flood others with their foul moods and create a walking-on-eggshells situation for anyone under their spell.
For the victim, over time, the constant walking-on-eggshells wears them down and creates anxiety. In my case, my unacknowledged anxiety caused physical exhaustion and a host of other physical symptoms. My body kept score of every passive-aggressive quip long after my brain forgot and the soul forgave.
Letting these individuals go their own way is an instant relief. Life is too short for a daily dose of drama. Listen to your gut. Don’t expect these people to change and wait for them to treat you better. Accept who they are.
The Opinionated Individuals
The second group of problematic people in my life, I chalk up to a personality clash. These are people I enjoy hanging out with, and they have hearts of gold — they’ll do anything for anyone. They aren’t mean and spiteful. Unfortunately, they are very passionate about politics and social issues.
There is a fine line between passion and aggression. Conversations can take on a lecture-like quality, and any difference of opinion is attacked rather than explored or discussed. To keep the peace, I bite my tongue. The suppression of my opinion takes its toll on my nervous system.
Of course, I am more than capable of challenging opinions. I was the star on my school’s debate team, but after everything is said and done, I feel bad.
A passionate debate among friends feels like an argumentative fight mixed in with disrespect. Aggression is met with aggression. In the end, no one wins. No minds are changed. This heat can kill friendships and can make anyone present feel uncomfortable.
In my social circles, I’ve been honest about wanting a holistic lifestyle and a better headspace, and as such, I’m avoiding negative topics, including political subjects.
The vast majority of people have supported me, with many on their own good vibes quest. But the ones who turn to politics as a pseudo-religion continue to test boundaries.
It’s not the difference of opinion that bothers me; it’s the aggression that triggers my nervous system into fight-or-flight mode.
My only course of action is to limit my interaction with these individuals and make sure I’m in the right mindset to handle my boundaries being tested when I see these individuals.
I can’t control others, but I can control myself. Focusing on their positive traits is the key because, like I said, they have hearts of gold.
The Verdict On Detoxing
When I started cutting the negative out of my life, my energy levels instantly started returning, and my physical health improved dramatically. Although there has been a recharge and withdrawal period.
I lost all desire to be online as I dove deep into my psychology and the psychology of others. And damn, that’s one deep, dark rabbit hole. Yet, ever so fascinating.
When I blog, there is a risk of oversharing, especially if I’m hurt or upset. I blame years of journaling as a teen for this quirk. A bitchfest isn’t what I want my blogs to be about, no matter how entertaining letting it rip may be.
My crafted online persona of being a happy smartarse would take a hit. Mostly, I don’t want to drown people with my sorrow.
Throughout 2025, I’ve embraced the more thoughtful aspect of my personality. She isn’t very entertaining, but is essential for my personal growth and well-being.
Online is a warped reality, and making an effort to step away from the screen means I’m more present in the real world. By nature, I tend to live in my head, and the internet is a distraction.
Nowadays, I see my environment and the people around me more clearly as I focus on my life’s reality.
Physical activities with tangible items like paper crafting, physical books, and reading tarot have been great for keeping my mind present and keeping me grounded. I’ve also been in the thick of planning house renovations.
The Muse has started playing with fiction again. She has to do something with all that research on psychology and believes she is an expert on narcissism now.
To be honest, I’m just relieved I can hear myself think again. Brain noise is still present, but nowhere near as loud or dominant as before. I can focus in little bursts at the moment, and it’ll only get better. I’ve missed escaping into The Muse’s worlds.
Likewise, thanks to the brain clutter, my burning desire to inspire others or cheer others up was reduced to embers. The embers have sparked again. I’ve stepped back into that part of myself that lay dormant, cloaked in temporary amnesia.
Giving to others gives me a purpose. Ah, sweet motivation. If I don’t feel inspired, I can’t inspire others. And this is the main reason a positive mindset matters to me.
Being miserable is easy. Being happy is a battle, but a battle worth fighting for.
Am I making an online comeback?
That’s really up to my shoulder. A four-day writing marathon a couple of months ago triggered my RSI. YES, AGAIN. Maybe I’ll learn this time? I’m still paying for it. Aches and pains make me a grumpy bitch. But I’ll try and chase unicorns and rainbows. I have plenty I want to say if The Muse turns up.
THE WRITING ASYLUM 
Leave a comment