For many people, the start of a new year brings a fresh promise - that this time will be different, that we'll finally kick our worst habits and change our ways. But for me, it's the same story every year: I find myself instinctively checking my phone, scrolling mindlessly through social media feeds as if trying to fill some existential void.
It's an old habit, one that's hard to break, but also crucially important to break. Because as we scroll endlessly, our minds are constantly bombarded by information - news, trends, what others are doing with their lives - and it's easy to get sucked into the vortex of comparing ourselves to others. We're constantly on edge, waiting for the next update, waiting for some new signal that we need to adjust our course.
This year, however, I've taken a different approach. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through my phone, I've replaced it with an old friend - my Game Boy Advance. I've been playing Pokémon FireRed, a remake of the original games from 2006. It's not about escapism; it's about taking control.
I know some people might think that gaming is a luxury we can't afford, that there are more pressing issues to worry about. But for me, gaming has become essential to my mental wellbeing. It's low-stakes entertainment - no pressure, no expectations - just the gentle hum of pixels and the soothing sounds of electronic music.
The result so far? My phone usage is already down by three hours a week since I started playing Pokémon FireRed. That might not sound like much, but it makes a difference when you're talking about something that's taken up such a huge chunk of our lives.
It also seems to be having an impact on my broader wellbeing. By removing myself from the constant stream of updates and information, I'm able to stop overthinking and begin tackling some existential dread that I've been feeling lately. It's not about ignoring problems or turning a blind eye; it's about giving myself space to breathe.
Playing Pokémon FireRed in 2026 feels like a radical act - but one that's working for me. It's not about technology on its own, but about the spaces we create for ourselves. We need those spaces to exist outside of our screens, and I'm hoping this journey will help us reclaim them.
So if you're struggling with the same habits - social media, doomscrolling, comparison - take a cue from my friend Shigeru Miyamoto, who once said that 'the most valuable resource is time'.
It's an old habit, one that's hard to break, but also crucially important to break. Because as we scroll endlessly, our minds are constantly bombarded by information - news, trends, what others are doing with their lives - and it's easy to get sucked into the vortex of comparing ourselves to others. We're constantly on edge, waiting for the next update, waiting for some new signal that we need to adjust our course.
This year, however, I've taken a different approach. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through my phone, I've replaced it with an old friend - my Game Boy Advance. I've been playing Pokémon FireRed, a remake of the original games from 2006. It's not about escapism; it's about taking control.
I know some people might think that gaming is a luxury we can't afford, that there are more pressing issues to worry about. But for me, gaming has become essential to my mental wellbeing. It's low-stakes entertainment - no pressure, no expectations - just the gentle hum of pixels and the soothing sounds of electronic music.
The result so far? My phone usage is already down by three hours a week since I started playing Pokémon FireRed. That might not sound like much, but it makes a difference when you're talking about something that's taken up such a huge chunk of our lives.
It also seems to be having an impact on my broader wellbeing. By removing myself from the constant stream of updates and information, I'm able to stop overthinking and begin tackling some existential dread that I've been feeling lately. It's not about ignoring problems or turning a blind eye; it's about giving myself space to breathe.
Playing Pokémon FireRed in 2026 feels like a radical act - but one that's working for me. It's not about technology on its own, but about the spaces we create for ourselves. We need those spaces to exist outside of our screens, and I'm hoping this journey will help us reclaim them.
So if you're struggling with the same habits - social media, doomscrolling, comparison - take a cue from my friend Shigeru Miyamoto, who once said that 'the most valuable resource is time'.
. I've been thinking of joining the #PhoneFreeRevolution myself! Playing Pokémon FireRed is a genius way to take control and find some balance in our digital lives. It's all about setting boundaries and prioritizing our own well-being, you know? 
. I mean, think about it, we're always being bombarded with info and updates - it's no wonder we get anxious 
. By stepping away from the screen, we can clear our minds and focus on what really matters. It's not about cutting out social media entirely (although that's a great goal too!), but about finding healthy ways to interact with the world around us 
. So here's to creating more #ScreenFreeSpaces in 2026! 
It's literally the best way to disconnect from all the craziness of the digital world and just chill. I've been there too, getting sucked into the social media vortex, feeling like I need to be constantly "on"... but it's so draining! 
Gaming is actually super good for your mental health, it's like a digital detox without leaving your couch 
. And yeah, it's not about gaming being a luxury, it's about making time for yourself and doing what makes you happy. Shigeru Miyamoto nailed it with that "time" thing 
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. They're always glued to their screens these days, especially during holidays 
. It's like they have a sixth sense that knows when someone picks up an old console or board game - they instantly lose interest in the new one 
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. We still do stuff, but it's not all about checking notifications 
. It's nice to see that some people are waking up to the same realization - tech can be addictive, and we need a balance in our lives 
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. I've seen my kids play Pokémon games together and it brings them so much joy 
. We should be encouraging more of this type of playtime, not just limiting screen time 
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). It's not about escaping reality or whatever, it's about taking control of my own stress levels and giving myself permission to be a little more chill. And honestly, it's not even about the gaming itself – it's just about creating that space outside of my phone.
. But seriously, I love the idea of taking a break from social media and finding solace in an old Game Boy Advance! Pokémon FireRed is a classic, tho 
. We need more people talking about the benefits of gaming for mental health - it's def not just a "luxury" or a "waste of time"... IDK why ppl think that 
. Anywayz, kudos to u for making a change and taking control of ur time! 
. news, trends, others' lives... it's all just noise . taking control & making space for yourself is key 
. gaming might seem like escapism but trust me, it's not 
it's not about escapism, its about creating space in ur life to breathe and recharge. and let's be real, social media is just a highlight reel of other ppl's lives... dont get me started 
! its like my brain can chill out for a sec and not be worried about what others are doing on social media 
my phone usage has already dropped by 3 hrs a week since i started playing 
like we all know how easy it is to get sucked into social media and just scroll mindlessly for hours. And honestly, it's literally not doing anything good for us 
we're just comparing our lives to others' highlight reels and feeling bad about ourselves.
that's so true. We need to take care of ourselves and prioritize our mental health, especially in today's world where we're constantly bombarded with information.
I'm definitely gonna try playing Pokémon FireRed now and see if it helps me too 
I mean, it's nice to see someone prioritizing their mental health and taking steps to actually change. Gaming as a form of relaxation? Genius move. I've been there too, where scrolling through social media just feels like the safe bet, even though we know it's not doing us any favors. 
Like reading or learning a new skill? But hey, to each their own! 
and it's literally helped me chill out after a long day. Three hours less scrolling is a pretty big deal! 
It's also making me realize how much of my life I was spending staring at screens... time is really the ultimate resource, you know? 
its all about breaking old habits and making space for ourselves but sometimes our phones just get in the way of that 
and i think that's what we all need more of in 2026 - those spaces to exist outside of our screens 
Maybe a more realistic goal is to set limits on screen time, like a timer or an app that tracks how much you're using your phone? That sounds way more practical to me... 
. It's all about creating space for yourself, you know? Not just screen time, but mental space too. And gaming can be such a great way to relax and unwind, I've always been into it myself 
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. So yeah, taking control of your screen time and creating space for yourself is literally a lifesaver