tech
February 9, 2026
How a decades-old video game has helped me defeat the doomscroll
Trading social media for Pokémon battles and evolutions in Kanto on a Game Boy Advance has been surprisingly serene
TL;DR
- The author replaced smartphone use with a Game Boy Advance to play Pokémon FireRed, aiming to reduce doomscrolling.
- This change led to a significant decrease in phone screen time and provided a serene, less overstimulating gaming experience.
- Playing the retro game helped combat existential dread, insecurity, and the habit of comparing oneself to others.
- The author suggests that engaging with resolutely offline game worlds can be a viable strategy for combating overthinking and exhaustion caused by excessive phone use.
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