Running on Empty? It’s Not You—It’s Your Screen.
How digital habits quietly drain your life force, and how to come home to yourself again
Welcome to The Fearless YOU—a newsletter for people who know deep down that something’s off… and are bold enough to do something about it.
I’m Daniel. 4 times a week, I’ll drop something into your inbox that challenges what you've been told, rekindles your confidence, and whispers:
“You were never meant to live in a box.”
Regenerate your energy. Reclaim your mind. Rewrite the rules.
Ever feel like you're running on empty?
I sure did.
Even after a full night’s sleep? Like, no matter how much coffee you chug, you're still dragging through the day?
Yeah, me too.
But did you know that it’s not just the lack of sleep or too many deadlines?
It’s the tiny, seemingly harmless choices we make online every day. The ones that feel easy, convenient, even relaxing…
But they’re secretly screwing with our energy levels.
Let me break it down for you.
The Dopamine Drain: Why Scrolling Feels Good—But Steals Your Fire
You know that feeling when you’re scrolling through your feed. For hours tapping like on photos and watching those oddly satisfying TikTok loops?
It feels good, right? Quick hits of dopamine, your brain's “feel-good” chemical.
But there's a hidden catch that not everybody is aware of.
Dopamine isn't just about pleasure; it’s about motivation.
When you flood your brain with easy dopamine from endless scrolling, it starts to expect that same instant reward everywhere.
When it's time for effort—like a project, exercising, or cooking—your brain says, “Nah, I want something quick!””
The result?
You feel mentally exhausted, even though you haven’t done anything physically taxing. And worse, you lose motivation for the things that truly matter.
Why the “easy” online choices are stealing your energy—and simple shifts to get it back.
Micro-Decisions, Mega Fatigue: How Online Life Wears You Down
Each time you decide to click a notification, open a new tab, or reply to a message, your brain spends some decision-making energy.
That's like having a tick, sucking your last drop of blood...
And thanks to the internet, we’re making hundreds of these micro-decisions every day.
Yeah!! Great.
By the time you tackle important tasks—like work, personal life, or what to have for dinner—you’re already mentally exhausted.
Knocked out!
Like after fighting with a kangaroo!
And let’s not even talk about streaming platforms.
You open Netflix to relax, but end up spending 30 minutes just deciding what to watch.
Am I right?
Don’t ask why I know… :-)
But it get’s worse. Sorry, not sorry, Ladies!
I know this hits hard coming from a man - but:
Multitasking Is a Lie: The Real Reason You’re So Wiped Out
We’ve all been there.
Switching between tabs, answering emails while on a Zoom call, and checking social media during work breaks.
It feels like you’re getting more done. It feels incredibly productive.
But multitasking is a lie.
Studies show multitasking reduces productivity by up to 40%. It forces your brain to constantly switch gears. While burning much more mental energy in the process.
By the end of the day, you’re wiped out.
Not because you did too much, but because you switched too much.
The antidote is incredibly simple!
Reclaiming Energy: Six Tiny Shifts That Bring You Back to Life
1. Set screen boundaries (and actually stick to them). I used to think “digital detox” sounded dramatic. But honestly, even setting small boundaries made a huge difference. Start with no screens for the first 30 minutes after waking up. Let your brain wake up naturally before diving into the dopamine pool.
2. Batch your tasks. Instead of checking emails or social media every time you get a notification, set specific times during the day to handle them all at once. It reduces decision fatigue and helps you focus better.
3. Unfollow, unsubscribe, simplify. The less noise, the less mental clutter. Unfollow accounts that don’t bring you joy. Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read. (Yes, I'm literally shaking saying this!) 🤣 Simplify your digital life, and your mind will thank you.
4. Prioritize deep work over shallow work. Set aside uninterrupted time for tasks that require real focus. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and dive deep. It’s more satisfying and less draining than skimming the surface.
5. Move your body, even if it’s just a little. When I’m feeling drained, a quick walk or stretching session does wonders. It sounds cliché, but it works. Physical movement helps reset your brain and boost your energy levels. (Touché: I have my garden right after the office door...)
6. Practice digital minimalism. Ask yourself: Do I need this app? Do I really need to check my phone right now? Being mindful of your online habits can help you regain control—and your energy.
Doing Less Online Makes Everything Feel Better
Here’s the wild part that amazed me the most.
When you cut back on the easy, energy-draining choices online, you don’t just feel less tired.
You enjoy your time online more again. Scrolling becomes intentional, not mindless. Tasks feel more manageable. Life feels lighter.
Final Takeaway:
If you’re always exhausted and can’t figure out why, take a hard look at your online habits. The easy choices might be the ones dragging you down. But with a few simple shifts, you can reclaim your energy. And with it, your entire life.
So, what’s one online habit you’re gonna change today?
Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear how it goes. And I answer every comment. Always!
Call to Action:
Feeling this? Share this article with someone who’s always tired for “no reason.” Let’s help each other break free from the online energy trap. 💥
To your freedom and health,
Daniel
Daniel you’re absolutely dead on again . If you must look at Youtube and you need to recharge I suggest MeditaShen . Worth your effort. Always appreciate your insightful comments.
We shifted gears a few days ago. We have been fighting with Tom's blood pressure, trying every thing in the book that's supposed to help. Multiple types of dietary fiber, natural things like dandelion leaf tea, natural probiotics like yogurt/sour cream and sauerkraut and raw milk, more whole grains and less refined ones, little to no sugar, natural salt rather than refined. Almost no change, still crisis levels of hypertension (which BTW, never seem to have any effect on him). The ONLY things that make a difference are shutting off his brain (ADHD) and extreme hiking for miles at a time. He grew up hiking like that in Northern Ontario, breaking his own trails, so his body is very much used to it. The other day, we decided to send him out BEFORE morning coffee for his hike of a minimum 2 miles (he has done more like 4 and 6 miles instead and it works even better) and running a 432 hz tibetan bowl video on Youtube for some of his bp readings. In a matter of just days, he has dropped 20-30 points on systolic pressure. He had already gotten down a fair bit on the diastolic. We do notice that he internalizes stress which is another major cause of a rise in BP for him. Yesterday we had to go to Yorkton, after he had just finished putting almost all new parts on the front suspension of the truck. But there was something sluggish about how it was behaving, and while in the city it almost kicked out entirely on us. The transfer case seems to be the problem, because reverse works fine, but forward gears will not function without first hitting reverse for a foot or two. We almost didn't get out of Superstore parking lot...so you can imagine this would be a huge stress point!