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Last edit: 26th May 2026
ContentThis is inspired by the "Anti-rot Agenda" Instagram (ironically) posts by @STUDYWITHARA. When I was heavily addicted to social media, I found the post to be inspiring enough to save… but that was the only action I took. I didn’t read the recommended books, articles, or participate in recommended activities. I’ve always found it ironic that there is an abundance of aesthetic offline activities are only accessible on social media. Certain content creators preach the need to be more present offline and pervasiveness of social media, yet only post content on social media. This is similar to the "analogue" trend posted on social media... you are promoting anti-tech and anti-social media while posting about it on social media using tech?!? Being offline is so cool that we are fantasising and romanticising it. Will you actually use these “analogue” tools or is it just for aesthetic because you are addicted to social media?
What is *Fill Your Own Cup*?This is a quote I’ve only been hearing a lot recently, along with "you can’t pour from an empty cup". I have the pleasure of meeting my lecturer who talked about the importance of balance "always fill your own cup first and allow the world to benefit from the overflow". It really surprised me. If you are in academia, you would know there are no balance. Especially if you are a full-time mother, student and worker; that is three roles to juggle! The lecturer reminds everyone to prioritise yourself- your mental, physical and spiritual health because if you are sick or burnt-out, you can not do anything else. I was pleasantly surprised and it stuck with me. The implicit messaging here is that: don’t burn yourself out trying to put others first.
What you do in your spare time matters! There is always time to do more. If you always scroll on social media or watch videos, you definitely have time to pick up a new hobby like learn a new language, master a trade, or finish your crafting projects. You may heard of "flow state", it is a word that have been circulating in the English vocabulary and haven't change meaning.
"Flow state", or what many people define as "lock-in" or "be in the zone" is when you are immersed in the experience. Research from Csikszentmihalyi found "flow state" can be achieved in leisure times categorised as:
Many people prefer to engage in low flow state activities because it is the most enjoyable and accessible; this is where people may feel "brain-rot". Each of flow-producing activities requires an initial investment of attention before it begins to be enjoyable. If a person is unable to overcome that initial obstacle, they will settle for something less enjoyable, and more accessible. In this context, you may also define flow state as a measurement of fulfilment in task.
We spend a lot of time in our professional or academic life, but what about our personal life?
Csikszentmihalyi found to reach “flow state”, the activity leisure need to have a clear goal with increasing difficulty, and dedicated allocated time. A meaningful conversation, small talks, engage in local events, start a hobby- make a plan, put a date and goals. Think to yourself, on the scale of 1 to 10, how enjoyable is scrolling on social media? And how does that compare to your hobbies like hiking, art, making music, reading, etc...
I had some people asking me about my ripping CD setup and how can they start on a budget. The answer is simple: library.
I borrow audiobooks from my local library online collection. The library also hosts local affordable or free events and they provide devices for local residents. I will always say to visit and get more involved with your local library! I had a quick talk with an event organiser that host monthly events in the library, she told me that the librarians were more than happy to provide free supplies. Apparently, the library receive more funding if they have more visitors.
Please check your local library to see what they offer! My library rent free sewing machines, analog/digital archive, weekly workshops to support the elderly, disabled, immigrants, children, students and adults (basically everyone). Want to borrow CDs? DVDs? Books or machinery? The library have it (some libraries even lend 3D printing machines).
Come back later ~June /July for scholarly articles and interesting readings. Academia is not up to date with the real world and especially with the rapid pace of social media. There are many steps for a journal article to be peer reviewed and published. Plus I have university and I have other readings to do haha
Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement With Everyday Life