12.03.2026
Organizing my thoughts about the Internet space.
Was thinking today about my relationship with the Internet and got curious how has it started and which direction am I going so far.
How did it start.
I think at some point I got overwhelmed with algorithms and scrolling addiction. My first step was to decrease my time spent on instagram. At the same time I started looking for “How to experience the old Internet again?” information.
I liked being away from IG, and spending some time on Tumblr, which remotely was reminding me of web surfing (reealy remotely).
I also started looking for some forums that are still active.
Algorithms caught the fact that I was curious about this topic and I got offered a lot of videos where people were ranting about the modern internet and sometimes suggesting solutions.
With time my feed became flooded with such videos where people were saying the same things again and again, and I kinda realised that it was also a part of the problem I was dealing with. However, at the beginning of this video frenzy, I learnt about neocities. I got fascinated with the idea of shaping my own corner of the Internet, not fully coming back to the old Internet, or going offline. When I decided to create my site, I finally realized how bad I was tricked in the past. It felt like I was in a trance all the time going down the spiral of mindlessly consuming algorithm driven media. But I finally tasted freedom. It felt like I was turning away from the path I didn’t choose.
I still revisit some social media, I still might scroll a bit from time to time. But now I do it much less, because I’m aware that it is not good for me.
There are still a lot of things to be done to achieve the best “corner of the Internet” as possible for me.
The problem of influence.
I think we all are influenced by something/someone. But it is really important to ask yourself questions like: “Do I really want/need it?” “What will make me happier?” and “What exactly am I doing/trying to achieve?”
I realized it when I noticed that I suddenly wanted an Ipod and a cute Japanese flipphone. After I watched a couple of reels mentioning those, I got spammed with even more videos agitating to use/buy these devices.
For a second I thought that it was such a nice idea, as it was related to the topic I was already interested in and I also always liked cute things. Then I thought - “Do I want it, or does the algorithm want me to buy it?”, “Do I really need it?”
It is ok to buy something like this if you really want it and need it, but in my case I had been sold the idea that it was something I needed.
Most Ipods are second-hand and kinda expensive. Flip-phones (on android) have less security and limited apps you can install due to their old android version.
So, it doesn't look like the best choice for me.
Also a couple of words about being offline. I’m not going that direction, same with decentralizing my phone.
I want to explain why it won’t work for me (so far).
Why going offline and phone decentralising won’t work for me.
First of all - I kinda like the Internet as an idea, just the current state of it is not the best. I like looking for new information, playing games and sharing stuff. I have plenty of hobbies that are “offline” but I often like to research those hobbies online, for example - looking for new knitting patterns.
Phone decentralization.
I think it will be just too inconvenient in my case and I would like to try to adjust my phone to bring me more benefit then harm.
What I’m planning to do?
Sometimes, I feel like I caught the train that was quickly passing by, just in time. Now I just need to explore and act. I don't have enough time sometimes, so the process is slow, but I’m trying my best.
- I want to explore the indie web further and develop my personal website.
- I want to make a digital navigator that I'll use for bookmarking other people’s personal sites, forums and sites that are related to the things I like, some entertaining stuff and so on. I might also make links to my favorite youtubers so i won’t be destracted by the feed.
-Digital decluttering - I almost finished it, just need to keep an eye on my digital media.
-Digital hygiene. Try to consume less devastating and brain-rot content.
So, in the end, I think it is really important to follow something that you want to do and to be honest with yourself. It is fine to listen to other people’s ideas and opinions, but it should not influence your decisions 100%. Listen to your heart and make thighs that make you feel happy.
