Creating an online experience that makes you happier
The internet was supposed to connect us.
In many ways it has. I’ve built a career around it. I’ve spent 30 years working with the web and online communities. But somewhere along the way, a lot of our online spaces became exhausting instead of enjoyable.
Algorithms reward outrage. Platforms reward engagement at all costs. And before you know it, your feeds are filled with negativity, conflict, performative behaviour and people shouting opinions into the void.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much control we actually have over our own online experience.
One of the simplest things you can do is curate who you follow.
Not based on popularity.
Not based on fear of missing out.
Not because you’ve followed someone for years.
Follow people who inspire you.
People who educate you.
People who make you think.
People whose work, values or outlook genuinely make your day a little better.
And equally important, it’s OK to unfollow people when their content no longer aligns with who you are.
Recently I unfollowed an account I’d followed for years. Someone whose work I’d admired for a long time. During a trip to America they posted videos from a gun range, enthusiastically firing high-powered assault weapons.
That content didn’t sit well with me.
I’m Australian, and ironically so are they, like many Australians, I view guns very differently. Watching someone glamorise weapons designed to inflict massive harm felt deeply uncomfortable and completely disconnected from my own values.
So I unfollowed them.
Not out of anger.
Not because I think they’re a bad person.
Simply because I realised I no longer wanted that energy or content in my online world.
And honestly? It felt good.
We spend so much time talking about digital wellbeing in terms of screen time, notifications and productivity hacks. But rarely do we talk about the emotional impact of the people and content we choose to surround ourselves with online.
Your feed is not neutral.
It shapes your mood.
Your thinking.
Your stress levels.
Your sense of normality.
Even your perception of the world.
If your online experience constantly leaves you frustrated, angry or drained, it might be time to ask a simple question:
“Why am I still following this?”
You are allowed to curate your online world in a way that makes you happier.
You are allowed to choose calm over chaos.
Insight over outrage.
Admiration over irritation.
The internet gets a lot more enjoyable when you stop treating your feed like a public obligation and start treating it like your own space.