Cutting Through the Noise: How I’m Handling Social Media and Information Overload

Cutting Through the Noise: How I’m Handling Social Media and Information Overload

Introduction: Feeling Overloaded?

I used to think staying informed meant following every news update, scrolling through social media all day, and never missing a trend. But I’ve learned that this constant flood of information often creates more stress than clarity. News stories can be rushed or incomplete, social media rewards outrage over facts, and many loud voices turn out to be less accurate than a simple coin toss.

Over time, I developed my own approach to handling social media and information overload. I won’t claim it’s perfect, and it might not fit everyone. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed too, here’s what I’m trying.

Step 1: Consuming Less (But It’s Complicated)

Why consume less? Because a lot of the information I was taking in simply wasn’t helpful. I found myself drowning in updates, opinion pieces, and clickbait, without feeling any smarter.

My Challenge: I also need social media for work. I share ideas—like this Forged Will perspective—and engage with people online. So I can’t just quit completely. That’s why I’ve learned to limit rather than abandon it.

How I’m Doing It

✅ Daily Time Limit – I set myself a strict goal of 30 minutes of social media each day.

✅ Scheduling Tools – I schedule posts in advance, so I don’t have to log in as often.

✅ Unfollow & Mute – I remove accounts that flood my feed with pointless updates or constant drama.

✅ Miss Out, It’s Okay – If something is truly important, it will still be relevant days or weeks later.

Why It’s Hard

Social media is designed to reward engagement, so every time I log in, there’s a pull to keep scrolling. But I try to remember I’m in control of how I spend my time. Some days I succeed; other days, not so much. That’s okay. It’s an ongoing experiment.

Step 2: Deciding When to Check In

It’s not enough to limit how long you’re on social media; you also need to figure out when to check in. If I left it up to chance, I’d be tempted to open an app whenever I felt bored.

My System: I ride the metro 2-4 times a day. I allow myself to use social media on no more than two of those rides. On the other rides, I might read, listen to music, or do nothing at all.

This structure keeps me from random scrolling all day long. If I catch myself opening TikTok out of habit, I pause and ask: “Is this really the ride I’ve chosen for scrolling?” It’s not perfect, but it helps me set clear boundaries.

Step 3: Prioritizing Long-Form Journalism Over Pundits

Many social media debates revolve around pundits—people who comment on daily news but rarely do any real investigation. Research shows that most pundits are no more accurate than guessing at random. Two of them were even worse than a coin flip!

On the other hand, long-form journalism and thoughtful podcasts allow deeper investigation, multiple verified sources, and time to fact-check. This usually makes them more accurate and less sensational.

My Approach

✅ Avoiding Traditional Pundits – If someone’s job is to “react to news” rather than investigate it, I don’t bother with their takes.

✅ Choosing Long-Form – Investigative articles, podcasts that cite real data, and sources that don’t rush to react are now my top picks.

✅ Watching Out for Red Flags – Even in long-form podcasts, I look out for lack of source transparency, emotional manipulation, and one-sided narratives. More words don’t always mean more insight.

✅ Expert Analysis – If I want clarity on climate change, I seek climate scientists—not general talk-show hosts.

Why It Matters

A Forged Will mindset focuses on probabilistic pragmatism—we look for approaches that raise the odds of finding better information. Since most pundits fail that test, I stick to sources that actually deliver insights and prove themselves over time.

Step 4: Social Media as a “Technological Drug”

I also recognize that social media isn’t just a distraction. It can function like a drug—it triggers dopamine in our brains, keeps us hooked, and makes moderation tough. I know this personally because I have an addictive personality: I get hooked on things easily.

That’s why every January, I do a month-long reset:

✅ No added sugar

✅ No alcohol

✅ No cannabis

✅ No social media

For some, moderation works. For others, total abstinence might be the only solution—just like people in recovery who never drink again.

If you find social media too addictive to manage, ask yourself:

👉 Would I be better off not using it at all?

👉 Do I feel mentally healthier when I step away completely?

👉 Is this something I actually want to moderate, or something I should remove?

Sometimes, the healthiest choice is quitting altogether.

Final Thoughts: It’s a Work in Progress

I’m not pretending to have all the answers. Sometimes I slip, sometimes I scroll too long. But by limiting my daily use, setting clear times to check in, avoiding bad punditry, and focusing on high-quality sources, I feel less stressed and more intentional about how I spend my time online.

If you find yourself drowning in information, consider trying a few of these ideas. Or maybe you have your own methods—share them! We’re all figuring out how to forge our will in a world filled with digital distractions. The key is to keep tinkering, learning, and adapting.

How Do You Handle Social Media?

• Do you set time limits or prefer total abstinence?

• Have you found better sources that keep you informed without burning you out?

Let’s keep the conversation going—and remember, progress is more important than perfection.