Doomscrolling, Data, and You

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Happy Holidays, Everyone!

I hope this season is treating you well, whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or just enjoying some well-deserved downtime with a good game.

I wanted to give you a quick update on my world. As some of you know, I’ve been pivoting hard into data science, and honestly? It’s been a wild ride. I’m currently wrapping up a major course, and next month I’m taking a deep dive into Python. I’m turning into a bit of a code-wizard, and I can’t wait to share more of that journey with you.

Speaking of data, my latest project was a deep dive into interpreting how social media actually affects our mental health. I dug into thousands of survey responses to separate the noise from the facts.

If you’ve ever felt drained by your feed, this breakdown is for you.

🧠 The Chaotic Good Guide to Your Digital Brain

We all know the internet is a mix of inspiration, memes, and absolute chaos. But what actually moves the needle on our well-being? Here is what the data says:

1. The "Big Boss" Stats (What Matters Most)

• The Sleep Shield: Here is the wildest finding—high screen time usually leads to high stress, unless you get good sleep. For people with high "Sleep Quality" scores, the link between doomscrolling and stress was almost broken. Prioritize sleep like your life depends on it.

• Mindset Matters: It’s less about how much you scroll and more about how you feel while doing it. If you feel like you're connecting with friends, you're fine. But if you feel like a passive observer watching others live their lives, isolation creeps in fast.

2. The Platform Trap

• Not all apps are created equal. Our data showed that users on TikTok and Instagram reported higher average daily screen time compared to platforms like LinkedIn or Pinterest. If you need to reclaim time, start there.

3. The Surprise: Moderation Wins

• We checked if a total "detox" made people happier. While taking 1-2 days off showed a happiness bump, taking too many days off didn't turn people into zen masters. Moderation actually beat total abstinence.

The Takeaway: You don't need to throw your phone in the ocean. Just protect your sleep and make sure you're using social media to actually talk to people.

P.S. The Irony Isn't Lost on Me I know, I know. It is a little odd to take advice about "unplugging" from someone who literally specializes in helping people build platforms and is, admittedly, chronically online. It’s like a dentist telling you to eat less sugar while holding a lollipop. But that’s exactly why I dug into this data. I needed to know: Is my job breaking my brain? The good news is that the data says we can coexist with the chaos. We don’t have to quit the internet to be happy; we just have to be smarter than the algorithm.

Career Transition Corner

I know a lot of you are also in the middle of pivots, career changes, or just trying to learn something new. Transitioning careers is scary and messy, but every new skill you stack makes you more unique.

To make that pivot less intimidating, focus on actionable learning. Pick up those skills you need right now through online courses. LinkedIn Learning is a great place to start, or if you're looking for game-specific knowledge, check out Gamedev.tv. Learning something new is a chaotic good way to boost your confidence and your portfolio.

You got this.

Stay chaotic friends!

Good Corner: Humble Bundle

Since I'm deep in the data trenches, I found a bundle that is perfect for anyone looking to level up their tech skills (or just understand what I'm talking about!).

Data Engineering & Science by O'Reilly This bundle is a goldmine. It includes books like Data Science from Scratch and Data Science: The Hard Parts. It’s perfect for building your own "digital brain" toolkit.

Plus, as always, your purchase supports charity! Check it out here: Data Engineering & Science by O'Reilly

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