How to actually get smarter (again)

Key wellness / self-care / productivity strategies

• “Friction-maxxing” (add productive friction to fight autopilot)

  • Introduce small obstacles so you’re not running purely on “smooth brain” habits.
  • Use micro-experiences that force basic mental effort (e.g., navigating without always relying on GPS), but keep it realistic for your life.

• Use technology deliberately—don’t go fully “analog”

  • Limited, intentional use of tech helps you avoid isolation and staying “blind” to culture.
  • Don’t pretend algorithms don’t exist; instead, engage deliberately so you understand how you’re being influenced.

• Re-train thinking (stop using scrolling as “thinking replacement”)

  • Treat the goal as re-engaging your brain so you can be a more critical thinker again.

• Improve attention span through reading—meet yourself where you are

  • Don’t follow “smart” reading recommendations that ignore your current attention capacity.
  • Reading can be any material—what matters is engagement, not prestige.
  • Avoid “homework-reading” pressure (e.g., don’t push yourself to read hard books just to catch up).

• Engage with what you read (active reflection)

  • Ask yourself questions while reading:
    • What did I like / dislike?
    • What do I think the author is trying to say?
    • Do I agree? If not, why?
    • What could make it better?
  • Consider discussing with others (friends/book club) for deeper media analysis.

• Focus less on “numbers” (quantity) and more on depth (meaning)

  • Stop tracking how many books/movies you consume as a status metric.
  • It’s okay to read less if you’re not actually engaging.
  • You can still go deep with fewer titles—or deep with many—depending on how you read.

• Build media analysis skills by starting with what you genuinely care about

  • Read reviews/research for topics you’re passionate about (not everything).
  • Let interests pull you into deeper genres (e.g., fiction → curiosity → nonfiction).

• Manage internet discourse for mental health and better conversations

  • Limit doom-scrolling/comment threads, especially where time/word limits reward hot takes.
  • Practice “best faith” judgment:
    • Try to understand how someone could reach their viewpoint based on their experiences.
  • Consider asking: What would the most relaxed/confident version of me do here?

• Intellectual humility

  • Be willing to admit you’re wrong (even if it’s uncomfortable).
  • Recognize defensiveness/anger as a possible sign your flexibility needs work.
  • Aim for healthier conflict by acknowledging limits of knowledge.

• “Microdose” routine disruption to reduce anxiety/decision fatigue

  • Purposefully take small wrong turns or adjust plans so you get practice tolerating imperfection.
  • Use small experiments (“nothing bad happened”) to build confidence for bigger steps later.

• Seek exploration outside your comfort zone

  • Try new activities periodically to restore curiosity (examples mentioned):
    • Ice skating class
    • Martial arts / kung fu classes
  • Expect some classes won’t “stick,” but don’t regret trying—avoid living with “what if.”

• Meet new people—keep expectations flexible

  • Put yourself in situations where new friendships can grow naturally over time.
  • Reduce “prescribed” expectations (e.g., not forcing immediate best-friend/group outcomes).

• Inconvenience yourself occasionally for your community

  • Offer help/favors proactively to build reciprocal support networks.
  • Adult relationships may require deliberate “tests” (actions that demonstrate reliability).

• Phone use framing

  • The speaker’s view: the main reason they use a phone is boredom, so they reduce phone time by staying physically engaged:
    • Going out, hanging with friends, movies, taking classes—activities where they’re too stimulated to scroll.

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Presenters / sources mentioned

• Host / speaker (unnamed in subtitles; the main creator of the video)
• Kathryn Jezer-Morton (Cut article on “friction-maxxing”)
• Adam Aleksic (Substack: The Etymology Nerd)
• Francois Chollet (tweet on what good education should target)
• Hannah Seo (The Guardian piece on intellectual humility)
• Tenelle Porter (referenced via Hannah Seo / assistant psychology professor)
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer (quote about community; note: speaker flags possible misattribution/misquotation)
• Scott (referenced via a tweet about “the hard thing you need to do” / relaxed-confident response)