You're Not Lazy, You're Consuming Garbage

The uncomfortable truth about the content you consume

Let me be clear from the start — this isn’t another article about “phone addiction” or “how to break up with social media.”

I’ve already written about that, painfully and honestly, from my own experience of quitting Instagram and going phone-free for over 3 months.

If you haven't read those yet, do it:

• I stopped scrolling for a month — my experience

• I stopped using my phone for over a month — part two

• I bet you can’t live without Instagram

This article? It's about something deeper.

It’s about what you’re feeding your mind. And why most of it is junk.

Why we reach for garbage in the first place

Ever notice how anxious you feel when you're doing nothing?

You're on your bed. At the store. Standing in line. And your brain starts spinning with a thousand useless thoughts. So you pull out your phone. Open Instagram. TikTok. YouTube Shorts. You scroll.

And your brain… quiets down. Just for a moment, it feels like relief.

But it's not real relief. It's fake stillness. A quick mental sedative.

That’s the trap.

We consume shallow content not because we’re lazy or dumb — but because we’re overstimulated and anxious. We want something to numb us. And shallow content numbs fast.

Let's define it: What is shallow content?

Shallow content isn’t just "funny" or “short.” It’s content that provides nothing of value, gives you nothing to apply, and leaves you feeling worse, even if you’re laughing.

• Bullying videos that go viral just because someone got embarrassed.

• Food vlogs of people trying 50 restaurants you’ll never visit.

• ASMR that kills 45 minutes without a single useful thought.

• Pornography that fries your dopamine and damages your discipline.

• “Funny” clips that mock others, distort reality, or numb your attention span.

It’s garbage. It’s noise. And it’s everywhere.

And if you think watching that stuff after a “productive day” is fine — it’s not. It’s still training your brain to be dumb, distracted, and addicted to stimulation.

Not all entertainment is bad

Let’s be honest. We all need to chill.

You worked 8 hours, hit the gym, did your reading, finished your tasks — and now you want to sit down and watch your football club play?

That’s not shallow. That’s earned leisure.

The difference?

Healthy entertainment respects your time. Shallow content devours it.

Watching one game is fine. Watching 4 reaction videos breaking down that same game? That’s mindless.

Binging a documentary after a long day? Fine.
Scrolling through 27 memes and prank reels until your brain is mush? Not fine.

Shallow content destroys real life

Here’s the real cost: It’s not just about time. It’s about what kind of person you become.

• It weakens your attention.

• It reduces your knowledge.

• It kills your creativity.

• It makes you less interesting.

• It makes you feel like you’re doing something when you’re actually doing nothing.

Let me say this:

Your input is your identity. What you consume becomes how you think, how you feel, and eventually how you act.

We live in the weakest version of society we’ve ever seen.

Men aren't acting like men. Women aren't acting like women.

Everyone’s numbed out, cynical, and tired — because they’ve consumed so much empty content that their brains forgot how to function.

I’m not saying this to sound dramatic. I’ve lived this.

In the three months since I quit consuming garbage content — and only focused on creation, deep work, real education — my mind has become so fucking clear.

It’s insane. I feel like I broke out of a mental prison.

And I’m not special. You can do it too.

So what’s the solution?

Let’s not fantasize. If you’re addicted to shallow content, the first step is to break the cycle. It won’t be easy. But it’s simple.

1. Fix your feed. Brutally.

Unfollow every creator who posts “funny,” “relatable,” “entertaining” stuff with zero value. Even if it makes you laugh.

If they’re not helping you grow, they’re stealing your time.

Follow creators who teach. Who build. Who share ideas worth keeping.

"Tell me what you consume, and I’ll tell you what kind of life you’ll have."

2. Use better platforms.

Let’s face it — Instagram and TikTok are built to keep you dumb.
YouTube, on the other hand, can be powerful — if used intentionally.

Start watching:

• Long-form documentaries

• Actual how-to videos

• Philosophical breakdowns

• High-quality creators with something to say

Your algorithm will catch up.

3. Don’t overdose on “educational” content either.

Here’s the trap many fall into:

You quit TikTok. You quit reels. But now you’re binging 3-hour productivity podcasts, self-help videos, and “10 books that will change your life” every night.

Still useless — unless you take action.

Don’t watch more. Apply more.

Watched a video about time-blocking? Use it.
Read a post about habits? Try it.
Heard about a new book? Read it — not 15 reviews of it.

This is bigger than you think

This is not just about watching better content.
This is about becoming the kind of person who chooses what they consume — instead of being dragged by the algorithm.

Because every piece of content you consume is shaping:

• Your beliefs

• Your attention span

• Your focus

• Your identity

You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your inputs.

So here’s my challenge:

• Cut the crap.

• Filter your inputs.

• Reclaim your brain.

Choose what feeds you, not what numbs you.

And the tools that helped me stay intentional and build a digital life with purpose is my Second Brain 6.0.
It’s how I protect my focus in a world built for distraction. check it out here -> Download The Template

Thank you for Reading ;)

— Osama aka Ols