Shortly after new years day, I was talking to two of my friends when one of them shared that she had just deleted her Instagram account. She explained that she had always felt drained and uninspired after scrolling for too long, which led us into a deeper conversation about consumption and how, in the digital age, there is an overwhelming amount of information accessible at the tip of our fingers.
Having infinite information available at any given time definitely has its benefits, but my friend brought up an interesting point: We consume so many other people’s opinions and lives that we sometimes forget to develop our own.
Now, I know this isn’t a new dilemma, and you’ve probably had similar conversations with your friends, family, or even professors. However, this year, I want to make it a personal goal to put creation over consumption into practice.
Here are five ways you can create instead of consume in 2026.
- Journaling
Journaling is my personal New Year’s resolution and my favorite way to prioritize daily creativity. Writing down our experiences and emotions helps us make sense of the world and how we feel about what’s going on around us. Not only does journaling help us process what’s in our heads, but it also creates space for new ideas to emerge.
Both Leonardo da Vinci and Albert Einstein famously kept journals to record their thoughts and ideas. Entering a writing flow gives your imagination permission to run wild and can reveal parts of your consciousness you may not have noticed before. Whether it’s sketching, gratitude journaling, or simply writing down what you did that day, the possibilities are endless.
- Opt for longer-form content
I know this may sound intimidating to some and boring to others, but consuming longer-form content, whether it’s a novel, movie, or even a Her Campus article, is a great way to spark creativity. One thing I’ve noticed about TikTok, Reels, and other short-form content is that I often forget what I’ve watched seconds after viewing it.
On the other hand, after watching a movie, I usually have a lot more to chew on. I recently watched The People We Meet on Vacation on Netflix, and everyone in my life has banned me from talking about it because I brought it up in every conversation ad nauseam. Not only does longer-form content encourage deeper thought, but it also has health benefits. Harvard Health reports that reading books can actually add years to your life!
- Craft birthday gifts instead of buying them
For inspiration, you can always look on Pinterest, but to truly embrace the spirit of this article, brainstorm your own ideas. Crafting birthday gifts is such a meaningful way to show love to your friends while simultaneously getting off your phone and creating something new.
Some of my favorite handmade gifts that I have made include watercolor cards, recipe jars, and decorated picture frames. I highly recommend incorporating this into your 2026 as a way to prioritize intentionality, creativity, and thoughtfulness.
- Invest more in your hobbies
Whether it’s music, photography, writing, or whatever else fills your cup, investing in your hobbies is one of the best ways to prioritize creativity. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s so cool when someone is deeply passionate about their interests or knowledgeable about a niche topic. Consider this your sign to put your phone down and spend more time doing the things you genuinely love.
- Create your own perspective
While consuming content is an inevitable part of life, it’s important to form your own ideas and opinions instead of immediately adopting others’. When I’m scrolling on TikTok and come across a news-related or controversial video, I often find myself heading straight to the comments to see what everyone else thinks. Instead of developing my own perspective, I become more curious about other people’s reactions.
If you find yourself doing the same thing, I have good news: There are fun, low-pressure platforms that encourage you to document your own ideas. My current favorite “social media” app is Substack, a blog-style platform where you can read and write thoughtful pieces about anything that interests you. Letterboxd allows you to review movies you’ve watched, and Goodreads is an amazing outlet for readers to share their thoughts on books.
While doomscrolling can be a tempting way to spend your time (and trust me, I’ve been caught in the cycle more times than I can count), I encourage you to join me this year in prioritizing creativity over consumption.