Joyscrolling for your viewing pleasure

I keep hearing people complain about “doomscrolling”. It’s depressing and time consuming. But it’s not inevitable! I’m not sure if they get hooked on the gloom and doom in their news feeds, in the same way we sometimes can’t look away from a slow-moving train wreck, or if they just haven’t figured out how to avoid it (short of avoiding social media altogether, that is).

Avoiding it (while still participating in social media) is a function of settings, algorithms, and user behavior. The more you watch and click on gloomy subjects, the more a social media platform will think you like it and want to see more of it. Meanwhile, the less you interact with accounts you DO like — by “liking”, commenting, and sharing — the less you will see of them over time.

So, what is the alternative to doomscrolling? Joyscrolling!

Dang it, I thought I made that up, but I Googled “joyscrolling” only to find that I’m not the only one calling it that.

AI Overview

Joyscrolling is the act of intentionally seeking out and consuming positive, uplifting, or comforting content online to counteract the negative mental health effects of doomscrolling. Instead of obsessively focusing on bad news, a joyscroller curates their online experience to include inspiring images, videos, and stories that bring them joy, solace, or a sense of connection.

So I’m sharing some of my favorite accounts for your viewing pleasure. And I’d love to know some of yours! If you have one to share, or if you decide you like one of mine, please leave a comment below.

YouTube Accounts

I discovered most of these creators on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. In recent months, almost all social media platforms have had issues that drive most creators to establish accounts elsewhere as well. They understandably don’t want all their eggs in one basket!

I, too, went through a social media decluttering phase, and updated this blog post accordingly, if you want to know where to find me: Clearing Social Media Clutter

Why YouTube?

Why? Because people complain when I include links to social media platforms. They either never had accounts there, or don’t anymore, and they have it in their heads that they can’t click on the links I provide and view what I am sharing. Sometimes it’s true (depending on how I shared it, or how they are viewing it). And sometimes, when they are asked to join a platform, they don’t notice that they can click “Not now”, or “X” out of the invitation, and still view what I am sharing. Or they just don’t think they can, so they don’t even try. But YouTube is for everyone. (Although there is a paid level for almost everything these days.)

Plumes

This French musician plays music for animals, usually on farms or in zoos. They love it!

https://www.youtube.com/@Plumesmusic/

Miniature Cusina

Miniature Cusina is the practice of cooking tiny meals using real food and tiny pots and utensils, appealing to both cooking fans and collectors. This is my favorite cooking “show”. I like it partly because the videos are short, there’s no talking, and there are no fancy, long, distracting painted fingernails like I’ve found in almost all other close-up miniature videos (because it features a guy’s hands). Like their logo says: Real food. Real cooking. Real sound.

https://www.youtube.com/@MiniatureCusina/

Island Ock

This Long Island grocery store owner encourages local kids by rewarding good grades, acknowledging, celebrating, and building their confidence.

https://www.youtube.com/@Islandock1/

Fernando Yumul

Miniature Artist from the Philippines. I mean, he makes miniatures. Not that he’s a tiny person. I love seeing him transform everyday objects into entirely new (but familiar) things.

https://www.youtube.com/@Fernandoyumul1970/

Mapic2

German model railroad enthusiast with a cat who is unfazed. (Playlist: Katze vs. Gartenbahn)

https://www.youtube.com/@mapic2/

Seanthesheepman

30-year-old shepherd and stockman working in Scotland with his 3 sheepdogs. Not only are his dogs amazingly talented, I also enjoy his choice of background music in most cases.

https://www.youtube.com/@seanthesheepman5845/

Becorns | David M Bird

He builds little people out of acorns and sticks, then photographs them in the wild with real animals. I like the videos that share his process.

https://www.youtube.com/@davidmbird

Nadya Borisevich art

I find it very relaxing to watch her make botanical gel prints. (She does other things as well.)

https://www.youtube.com/@nadya_draws_in_seattle/

 

Websites

Anderson Virtual Calming Room

I was looking for live animal cams — there are a gazillion of them these days! — and I found this local New Mexico site for students (and anyone) that not only includes a variety of animal cams, but many other ways to “boost your mood and help you refocus.”

https://www.mgt.unm.edu/calming-room/default.asp

PDX Sidewalk Joy

A community of interactive sidewalk installations and exchanges around Portland, Oregon. These “installations” are all Little-Free-Library-adjacent. If you see something you like, you can make your own, wherever you live! (Or search for existing installations where you live.)

https://www.pdxsidewalkjoy.com/

 

Facebook Groups

Facebook Groups don’t have YouTube counterparts. And these are links to groups, not to individual videos, so yes, you probably do have to have a Facebook account to see much. But they are public groups, so (if you have a Facebook account) you don’t have to join the groups to peruse them. In fact, I have not joined any of them. But I’ve apparently spent enough time looking at their posts for Facebook to think I want to see more of them! I see plenty that way, and know where to find more.

Cookie Cutter Identification (CCID)

Sometimes the mystery cookie cutter is identified; sometimes people make alternate suggestions for its use; other times people just get silly about it.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiecutterid

Dollhouse miniatures made from everyday things

This group is about sharing ideas for making miniatures from scratch or found items. You can show off what you have made (ideally with some explanation) or ask questions about making miniatures.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1675907215955924/

FREE PHOTOSHOP help, edits & requests

There are a number of similar groups. As previously mentioned, I have not actually joined this group. And, in this case, I believe the benefit in NOT joining is that I don’t see their posts in my news feed until they have received a substantial number of replies. The replies range from, “Why do you want to do that?”, to totally awful amateur edits, to impressive expert edits, to hilarious and inappropriate edits. The range of reasons why people want edits is thought-provoking. And I wouldn’t want to see all the new requests and early discussion anyway.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1154264053384266/

 

What’s your favorite source of internet Joyscrolling?

Might you try one of these?

Please share in the comments below!

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• Hazel Thornton is an author, genealogist, and retired home and office organizer.
• Book: Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menendez Juror
• Book: What’s a Photo Without the Story? How to Create Your Family Legacy
• Book: Go With the Flow! The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook
• Feel free to link directly to this post! Click here to ask about other uses.
• Copyright 2025 by Hazel Thornton, Organized for Life and Beyond

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