it really was the damn phone: i stopped scrolling and remembered who i was

What happens when we spend so much time consuming other people’s lives that we slowly forget what it feels like to live our own? 🤍 This video essay is about social media, attention, screen time and the quiet ways all of that noise can shape our taste, creativity, identity and the way we experience everyday life. I hope this makes you want to put your phone down for a little while, make something, go outside, call someone you love or just sit with your own thoughts for a bit ✨🫶🏼 #videoessay #socialmedia #slowliving Come say hi! 🧸 🎀 Instagram: @nikaerculj https://www.instagram.com/nikaerculj/ ✧ videos you might like ✧ video essay: the love story women were sold https://youtu.be/geQuyc4orxI it really was the damn phone: how an analog life gave me my mind back https://youtu.be/PUAOaqGZNhw Social Media Detox playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLut3h0JNT-HhxKsvB0N1lL559NTaTSxus ➡️ The Life Design Planner I use (get 50% off with code NIKA50): https://www.nikatemplates.com/store/p/lifedesignplanner 👉🏼 the ultimate reset planner: https://www.notion.so/templates/the-2026-ultimate-yearly-reset 💸 The Coplenty Budget Template I use: (get 10% off with code NIKA10): https://coplenty.com/?ref=nika 📚 self-help books that changed my life: https://amzn.to/3qhdSM2 📖 my book: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3386uY6 contact (brand work only) email: inquiries@nikaerculj.com timestamps: 00:00-01:17 social media, attention and the quiet disappearance of the self 01:17-02:57 chapter one: who are you without the noise? 02:57-04:49 chapter two: a life spent watching other people live 04:49-06:16 chapter three: everything becomes noise 06:16-07:29 chapter four: what happened to boredom? 07:29-08:27 chapter five: the disappearance of the private self 08:27-09:40 chapter six: but I need it for work 09:40-11:09 chapter seven: what is all of this replacing? 11:09-13:19 chapter eight: coming home to yourself FTC: This video is not sponsored