I discovered an app that ultimately helped me end my unhealthy relationship with doomscrolling.

      I won’t act like I’m above it — I watch Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts just like everyone else, and it usually begins innocently enough. A notification appears, I unlock my phone, and I assure myself I’ll only check one thing. Before I know it, I’m engrossed in a stream of random videos, unaware of how I ended up there or how much time has quietly flown by. I’ve genuinely attempted to change this — I set app timers and convinced myself I would stick to them. I even eliminated Shorts from my YouTube feed, believing that would finally resolve the issue. I tried various apps that claim to limit usage and keep you accountable. For a day or two, it felt like I had a handle on it. Then gradually, almost without realizing it, I’d fall right back into the same cycle. This habit sneaks in during moments of boredom, and suddenly I’m scrolling again.

      At some point, I had to acknowledge the truth — doomscrolling had morphed from something I did occasionally to something I habitually returned to without thinking. Then, almost serendipitously, I discovered an app that truly made a difference. It didn’t offer an instant solution, but it accomplished something more valuable. It encouraged me to pause and recognize what I was doing in that moment. That brief interruption was sufficient to help me step back before I went too far. It simply gave me a sense of control, which was exactly what I needed.

      This small drawing habit has become my new escape

      I’ve been using Dudel Draw on my iPhone for the past few days, and it's been a surprisingly refreshing alternative to how I normally spend time on my phone. The concept is straightforward, but effective — each day, the app presents you with a new abstract shape to begin with. This could be a random blob, a few strange lines, or something that appears nonsensical at first glance. Then it’s up to you to turn it into anything you like.

      Adobe Stock

      The best way to describe it is that it resembles a drawing version of Wordle. You show up, get your daily prompt, and just dive in. Some days I transform those shapes into objects, other days into characters, and occasionally, I create chaotic lines that somehow come together by the end. Typically, it takes me five minutes, or slightly longer if I get carried away, but that brief burst is surprisingly satisfying.

      Shimul Sood / Digital Trends

      What I appreciate most is its effortless nature. There’s no pressure to be a skilled artist, no right or wrong outcomes. You can either take on the “shape of the day” challenge or simply play around with random shapes whenever the mood strikes. It doesn’t feel like a chore or something demanding consistency; it just naturally integrates into my day.

      For me, it’s transformed into a small ritual, especially when I encounter a creative block while writing. Instead of staring at a blank screen, I open the app and start doodling whatever comes to mind. Often, I’m just sketching random things while humming along to songs in the background, but it helps clear the clutter in my mind. Amid this process, ideas begin to resurface. Almost effortlessly, it’s also helped me reduce doomscrolling. I still reach for my phone out of habit, but now there’s an alternative that doesn’t leave me feeling drained. Instead, I finish feeling slightly more creative, a bit more aware, and surprisingly, much less stuck.

      My daily scrolling finally has an exit strategy

      I’m not going to say that I’ve completely given up Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts — that would be unrealistic. The habit is still present, and I still fall into it at times. But what has changed is this — I now possess something that gently disrupts that loop before it goes too far. Dudel Draw doesn’t require strict discipline or chastise me for slipping up. It merely provides me with an alternative that feels considerably lighter.

      Shimul Sood / Digital Trends

      And that’s the real distinction. I’m not substituting one rigid rule for another. I’m simply opting, more frequently than before, to spend those few idle minutes creating something. Because for the first time in a long while, reaching for my phone doesn’t always end with me feeling like I’ve wasted time.