In the midst of reading this lovely article, I reached for my phone twice. Not out of boredom, but out of habit. It was although my brain was taking too much time to read that I needed to distract myself....thank you for this. I need it.
I've started doing this recently! It's honestly really helped get my curiosity and some level of focus going again. I think my brain rot state started sometime during or right after my undergrad degree and didn't let up for years (until about maybe 3 months ago) because I think I really was just so tired but also incredibly unsatisfied with anything and I maybe even felt like I was just a shell of what once was and clicking things and constantly having some form of entertainment going did definitely help numb that feeling. Breaking out of that cycle though does feel really good and honestly you've summed it up so well! So honestly thank you!
I’m one year out post grad and I have been beating myself up for feeling this way. I thought leaving school and being in a weird limbo place in my life made me less smart, but I’m just disconnected from myself. Constantly using my phone/social media as a crutch to get through my day has been draining and has “killed” my creativity. At least it feels that way. This was a great reminder to just sit with yourself and your thoughts. Let yourself think your own thoughts again. Love!
I learned early that intelligence made people uncomfortable. That being curious wasn’t cute if it made others feel small. That speaking up too much, knowing too much, caring too much—especially as a girl—could make you annoying. Unlikable. That being smart could be a liability.
While not the main idea, and doesn’t have to be intelligence specifically, but this is such a real thing when you haven’t yet found your tribe.
So many truths hit home for me in this. Love this list at the end too! And yes it is the damn phone. 🥹😅😂
haha in a way that section is really where this post grew from, it was the initial starting idea that got the thought flowing. i love finding my people in people who are smarter than me and make me feel welcome to be a "smart girl", so you're so right on the tribe
Thank you for this, Kylee! I am not far along in the post grad journey, only about 2 months but I have missed already everything you lay out here so well. This made me feel better, though :) thanks!
Needed this so much right now!!! Thank u for sharing! From a fellow post grad smart girlie trying to rehabilitate cognitive brain function! We got this <3
I've just finished a double degree at Uni and now the inevitable comedown of not having assigned readings means that I can think for the sake of it ! And really enjoy my own self guided learning ! This post was so well timed :)
As a fellow double degree, yes it felt like years I was too busy thinking for production and not for myself. Thank you so much for reading and I really hope the enjoyment continues for you in learning
When I first tried to get back into reading post college, I had to set a timer and physically set my phone in another room. First 10 mins, then 20 mins, then 40. Eventually I was reading for hours without noticing it. Unrotting your brain is a slow process, but it definitely takes some deliberate practice!
Thank you so much for your article. It made me feel seen.
It is sad that i lost some of my sparkle but i will get it back it’s about reset my brain and give it the space to think again
In the midst of reading this lovely article, I reached for my phone twice. Not out of boredom, but out of habit. It was although my brain was taking too much time to read that I needed to distract myself....thank you for this. I need it.
Loved this. I’ve been implementing these kinds of things in my Romantic Revival series on here and on YouTube.
I've started doing this recently! It's honestly really helped get my curiosity and some level of focus going again. I think my brain rot state started sometime during or right after my undergrad degree and didn't let up for years (until about maybe 3 months ago) because I think I really was just so tired but also incredibly unsatisfied with anything and I maybe even felt like I was just a shell of what once was and clicking things and constantly having some form of entertainment going did definitely help numb that feeling. Breaking out of that cycle though does feel really good and honestly you've summed it up so well! So honestly thank you!
You had me at Annabeth Chase. The want to be the Wise Girl truly makes me often throw my phone to the other side of the room. Thank you for sharing!
I’m one year out post grad and I have been beating myself up for feeling this way. I thought leaving school and being in a weird limbo place in my life made me less smart, but I’m just disconnected from myself. Constantly using my phone/social media as a crutch to get through my day has been draining and has “killed” my creativity. At least it feels that way. This was a great reminder to just sit with yourself and your thoughts. Let yourself think your own thoughts again. Love!
This is such a great article - thanks for sharing your thoughts and encouraging us to put down our phones and wake up our brains 😊
thank you for reading!
I learned early that intelligence made people uncomfortable. That being curious wasn’t cute if it made others feel small. That speaking up too much, knowing too much, caring too much—especially as a girl—could make you annoying. Unlikable. That being smart could be a liability.
While not the main idea, and doesn’t have to be intelligence specifically, but this is such a real thing when you haven’t yet found your tribe.
So many truths hit home for me in this. Love this list at the end too! And yes it is the damn phone. 🥹😅😂
haha in a way that section is really where this post grew from, it was the initial starting idea that got the thought flowing. i love finding my people in people who are smarter than me and make me feel welcome to be a "smart girl", so you're so right on the tribe
thanks so much for reading!
This is amazing, gosh.
thank you <3
Thank you so much💗
Thank you for this, Kylee! I am not far along in the post grad journey, only about 2 months but I have missed already everything you lay out here so well. This made me feel better, though :) thanks!
It took me a solid year after grad to feel interested in intellect and curiosity again. don't rush it but don't sink too far <3
Damn. Thank you so much!
Needed this so much right now!!! Thank u for sharing! From a fellow post grad smart girlie trying to rehabilitate cognitive brain function! We got this <3
We so got this <3 thanks for reading and relating!
I've just finished a double degree at Uni and now the inevitable comedown of not having assigned readings means that I can think for the sake of it ! And really enjoy my own self guided learning ! This post was so well timed :)
As a fellow double degree, yes it felt like years I was too busy thinking for production and not for myself. Thank you so much for reading and I really hope the enjoyment continues for you in learning
When I first tried to get back into reading post college, I had to set a timer and physically set my phone in another room. First 10 mins, then 20 mins, then 40. Eventually I was reading for hours without noticing it. Unrotting your brain is a slow process, but it definitely takes some deliberate practice!
That is so smart! What a great way to rebuild that habit and interest without forcing too hard