I think I’ve finally found what will break my social media addiction: the “things I’ve learned” trend. For example, there’s advice that promises to “change your brain chemistry,” usually from someone who is clearly not a neuroscientist. Or “my nutrition rules,” shared by a fresh-faced Gen Alpha influencer who doesn’t realize they just have a teenager’s metabolism. Or “45 things you need to understand” about a place, from someone who spent 45 minutes there. It’s an endless stream of the most obvious advice: eat intuitively, embrace nature, practice compassion, stay curious, be childlike, reach out to friends, put down your phone, put your head in a blender.
Okay, not that last one—but that’s how this stuff makes me feel. I don’t know what to call it—expertise overload? Advice pollution? A bottomless pit of wisdom brain rot?—but confidently delivered life advice is everywhere online, from Substack (home to cozy, bookish elders) to TikTok (the polar opposite). It’s not just my algorithm or demographic: men, young people, pregnant people, and new parents all get flooded with advice, though tailored to their specific situations.
I have to admire the confidence it takes to tell people how to live. I can barely decide what to have for dinner (crisps, maybe?). But it also makes me nostalgic for the earlier internet, before everything became a bossy, bullet-pointed self-improvement plan—back when it was gentler, filled with cat memes and rambling blog posts about strangers’ marital problems.
Of course, no one is forcing me to consume this content, to roll my eyes at another earnest reel or angrily skim through 1,000 words telling me to “prioritize rest.” But I’m a sucker for it, which is exactly why it’s everywhere: it keeps us clicking and consuming. There’s no denying the appeal of being told how to live when you’re struggling, failing, and confused (and aren’t we all?). Unfortunately, the only thing I’ve learned from all this clicking is that the answer to my confusion won’t come from content creators.
Uh oh—did I just offer “things I’ve learned” advice? Emma Beddington is a Guardian columnist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs based on the article Ready to quit social media Advice pollution could be the final push you need by Emma Beddington
General Definition Questions
Q What is advice pollution
A Its the overwhelming and often contradictory flood of tips life hacks and selfimprovement content found online especially on social media that can make you feel stressed and inadequate instead of helped
Q How is advice pollution related to quitting social media
A The constant pressure to optimize your life coupled with the guilt of not following all the advice you see can be a major source of stress Recognizing this can be a powerful motivator to log off for good
Q Is the author saying all advice is bad
A No The article argues that the sheer volume and performative nature of advice on social media is the problem not advice itself It becomes more about showing off a perfect life than genuinely helping
Motivations Benefits
Q What are the main benefits of quitting social media mentioned
A The article highlights mental peace reduced anxiety freedom from comparison and reclaiming your time and attention away from the noisy demanding online world
Q Will quitting social media solve all my problems
A No and the article doesnt claim it will Its presented as a way to remove a major source of stress and pollution allowing you to focus on your real life without constant digital interference
Q I feel like Im missing out if I quit How can I handle that
A This feeling known as FOMO is common The article suggests that the peace and mental clarity you gain are a worthwhile trade for missing viral trends or superficial updates
Practical Steps HowTo
Q I want to quit but Im nervous How should I start
A You dont have to go cold turkey Start by deleting the apps from your phone for a weekend Or mute noisy accounts and turn off notifications to reduce the pollution gradually
Q What should I do with all the free time Ill have
