In the quiet hours of early morning or just before bed, many of us reach instinctively for our phones. We’re not checking for urgent updates or meaningful conversations—we’re scrolling endlessly through feeds filled with bad news, political outrage, climate disasters, and cultural meltdowns. This act, now widely referred to as doomscrolling, has become more than a mindless habit. It’s ritualistic—almost devotional. Much like prayer, meditation, or reciting affirmations, doomscrolling structures our days, grounding us in the chaotic rhythms of a hyper-connected world. But unlike traditional rituals that bring clarity or comfort, this one often leaves us drained, anxious, and searching for meaning.

In this blog, we’ll explore how doomscrolling has turned into a cultural practice, why it feels like a modern-day ritual, and what it says about our relationship with technology, information, and control. We’ll also look at ways to reclaim healthier daily rituals while still staying informed.
 

Every ritual begins with a cue, and for doomscrolling, that cue is often the glow of a screen. Whether it’s the buzz of a notification, the temptation of a late-night scroll, or the morning urge to “just check in,” our devices have rewired us to begin and end our days with digital feeds.

Morning Scroll as a Daily Prayer

For many, scrolling first thing in the morning feels necessary—like sipping coffee or brushing teeth. It’s a way of “catching up” with the world, but the stories we consume are rarely positive. News about climate change, political unrest, or celebrity scandals becomes the first input that shapes our day. This ritual mimics devotional practices of reading scripture or listening to a sermon, but instead of offering comfort, it floods us with dread.

Nightly Doomscrolling as a Closing Ritual

Just as people once recited prayers before bed, doomscrolling has become a nightly wind-down ritual. It’s the act of letting the day blur into a feed of global crises, memes, and commentary. The ritual often stretches past midnight, making it hard to disconnect, much less sleep peacefully.

Why the Ritual Feels Necessary

Humans crave ritual for structure and meaning. Doomscrolling gives us the illusion of control—if we read enough headlines, maybe we’ll be prepared for the chaos. This compulsive need to “stay informed” makes doomscrolling feel not just habitual but necessary, even if it undermines our mental health.
 

Rituals aren’t just private—they’re shared cultural practices. Doomscrolling mirrors this collective dimension, turning the act of scrolling into a kind of digital congregation.

Social Media as the New Sanctuary

Platforms like Twitter/X, Reddit, and TikTok serve as modern temples where we gather, scroll, and react together. Users share updates, amplify bad news, and validate each other’s anxieties. Instead of a church bell, push notifications call us to participate in the ritual.

Shared Lamentation and Outrage

In traditional devotional practices, worship often involves communal lament, confession, or expressions of faith. Doomscrolling recreates this dynamic in the form of collective outrage, despair, and commentary. We “pray” through memes, retweets, and hashtags, building solidarity around shared crises.

The Comfort of Community

While doomscrolling feeds anxiety, it also fosters belonging. Seeing thousands of others reacting to the same story reassures us that we’re not alone in our fear or frustration. This communal element cements doomscrolling as a ritual that transcends individual behavior.
 

Why does doomscrolling feel so ritualized, even sacred? Psychology offers some answers.

The Illusion of Control

Our brains crave certainty, especially in times of crisis. Doomscrolling tricks us into thinking that more information will bring clarity. Just as rituals traditionally offer protection or blessing, doomscrolling creates a false sense of safety by consuming every headline and hot take.

Anxiety as a Driver of Ritual

Like repetitive prayers or mantras meant to calm the mind, doomscrolling serves as an anxiety-reduction ritual. The problem: instead of soothing, it often amplifies our fears. But the compulsion remains strong, driven by a cycle of anxiety and temporary relief.

Dopamine and the Scroll

Doomscrolling also taps into our brain’s reward system. Each new story provides a micro-hit of novelty, similar to pulling a slot machine lever. This intermittent reinforcement keeps us scrolling endlessly, solidifying doomscrolling as a ritualized compulsion rather than a conscious choice.
 

Beyond individual psychology, doomscrolling reflects broader cultural values.

Information as Sacred Text

In a society where knowledge equals power, staying informed has become almost a moral duty. Doomscrolling elevates news feeds to the status of sacred texts—worthy of daily reading and interpretation. To “miss out” feels like heresy in a world where news cycles shift by the minute.

Outrage as a Form of Devotion

Sharing anger, frustration, or critique online has become a way to show alignment with certain values. Much like public prayer or testimony, online outrage signals one’s identity and commitments. Doomscrolling fuels this, supplying endless material for performative devotion.

The Secular Sermon

Opinion pieces, viral threads, and influencer commentary function as modern sermons. They guide interpretation, provide moral frameworks, and tell us how to react to events. Our ritual of doomscrolling is incomplete without these guiding voices, which act like priests of the digital age.
 

Breaking the Cycle Without Abandoning Ritual
 

If doomscrolling is our new devotional, can we replace it with healthier rituals? The answer isn’t to abandon ritual entirely, but to redirect it toward practices that nourish rather than drain.

Morning Ritual Alternatives

Instead of starting the day with a flood of negative headlines, try replacing the morning scroll with reading, journaling, or a short meditation. Even checking a positive news digest or listening to uplifting music can shift the tone of the day.

Evening Wind-Down Practices

At night, substitute doomscrolling with calming rituals like reading a physical book, practicing mindfulness, or setting intentions for the next day. These small shifts help break the cycle of compulsive scrolling while maintaining a sense of ritual.

Intentional Information Diet

Like fasting in religious traditions, consider an “information fast.” Set time boundaries for news and social media, and choose curated sources instead of endless feeds. This intentional approach transforms consumption into a mindful act rather than a compulsive ritual.
 

Toward a Healthier Digital Devotional
 

The goal isn’t to demonize information or technology but to reframe how we engage with them. Doomscrolling shows our deep need for ritual, connection, and meaning. By recognizing its structure, we can design healthier digital devotionals.

Rituals of Gratitude and Connection

Replacing doomscrolling with rituals of gratitude—such as writing down three positive things daily—or connecting intentionally with loved ones can provide grounding without the spiral of negativity.

Reclaiming Digital Spaces

Social media doesn’t have to be a temple of doom. Curating feeds to highlight art, learning, or community can shift the ritual from despair to inspiration. With intentional curation, scrolling can become a nourishing devotional.

Embracing Rest as Sacred

Perhaps the most radical ritual in a productivity-driven culture is rest. Logging off, embracing silence, or simply doing nothing resists the compulsion to scroll. Rest, like ritual, restores balance—and may be the antidote to doomscrolling’s grip.