What do you usually do when you feel tired from work or studying?
You decide to take a short break, pick up your phone, and open Instagram or YouTube.
You tell yourself, “Just five minutes.”
Before you know it, 30 minutes have passed.
You were supposed to be taking a break, but somehow your mind feels even more exhausted.
Have you ever experienced that?
I certainly have.
But recently, I’ve changed the way I take breaks.
I’ve started stepping into a world without algorithms.
Why Breaks on Your Phone Feel So Tiring
Today’s social media platforms and video services are incredibly sophisticated.
They constantly recommend things they think you’ll be interested in.
That’s why, once you start watching, it’s so difficult to stop.
When one video ends, another begins.
When you finish one post, the next one is already waiting.
It never ends.
Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with that.
I just don’t think it’s the best way to take a break and regain your focus.
Even when we think we’re resting, our brains are still processing an endless stream of new information.
The Way I Take Breaks These Days
To regain my focus, I’ve started putting a little distance between myself and algorithms.
For example, I might:
- Play retro games
- Listen to music on CDs
- Read magazines
What all of these have in common is that they don’t have recommendation algorithms.
Nothing says,
“You might like this next.”
Because of that, I can simply enjoy what I’m doing.
And when I’m finished, I can return to work naturally.
I really enjoy that feeling.
Why I Recommend Reading Magazines the Most
Among these activities, the one I recommend most is reading magazines.
It’s one of my favorite ways to take a better break and regain my focus.
There are three reasons why.
1. They’re Simply Fun
Magazines are made to be enjoyed.
They don’t require as much concentration as a novel, and they don’t demand as much mental effort as a business book.
Sometimes it’s enjoyable just to look at the photographs.
That’s what makes them easy to pick up, even when you’re tired.
2. They Have an Ending
Social media never ends.
A magazine does.
It has a final page.
When you finish reading it, you naturally close it.
I’ve found that this feeling of having an ending is far more comforting than I ever expected.
3. You Discover a World Chosen by Editors
Algorithms show you what they think you’ll like.
Magazines, on the other hand, are collections of things that editors believe are worth sharing.
Because of that, you sometimes discover worlds you never would have searched for on your own.
That sense of unexpected discovery is my favorite thing about magazines.
The Magazine I Read: POPEYE
That’s everything I wanted to share in this article.
However, ending it here would feel a little incomplete, so I’d like to introduce the magazine I read regularly.
The magazine I read most often is POPEYE.
Many people think of it as a fashion magazine, but I see it as a magazine that teaches you how to enjoy everyday life.
Cities, coffee, books, interiors, travel, and culture.
Each issue has its own theme, expressed through outstanding photography and graphic design.
I enjoy it because it inspires me creatively, and it often makes me think,
“I’d love to spend a weekend like this.”
Recently, POPEYE has also started publishing English editions, so I’d happily recommend it to anyone interested in Japan.
If you’re curious about its unique atmosphere, I’d recommend taking a look at its Instagram or official website first.
Even just browsing them gives you a good sense of what makes POPEYE so special.
If it sounds interesting, I’d encourage you to pick up a copy.
I usually read it during breaks or on quiet weekend mornings with a cup of coffee, and I always come away with a new idea or perspective.
Whether you’re interested in graphic design, Japanese culture, or simply looking for a better way to take breaks and regain your focus, it’s a magazine I’d happily recommend.
▶ Popeye (English Version): Magazine House Mook
Taking a Break Doesn’t Mean Doing Nothing
I used to think that taking a break meant doing nothing.
But recently, my perspective has changed.
Maybe taking a break means stepping away from algorithms for a while.
The internet offers an endless supply of content.
That’s exactly why I think it’s important to spend time with things that have an ending.
A magazine.
A CD.
A retro game.
For me, moments like these have become the best way to regain my focus.
If you’re curious about what that looks like in real life, I share those moments on YouTube and Instagram.
Rather than talking about slow living, I simply try to live it.
I hope you’ll join me.
