Establishing limits as an audience member is an crucial skill check that preserves your inner peace. In today’s content-saturated environment, we’re constantly bombarded content—videos, real-time feeds, TikToks and Reels, and more—much of it optimized for maximum engagement. But everything you see isn’t healthy. Knowing how to voice your preferences means making intentional choices about your media.

Begin by reflecting honestly what kinds of content drains your energy. Maybe toxic drama, clickbait ads, or excessive outrage leave you emotionally drained. Once you recognize your red flags, you can start expressing them. This doesn’t always require telling someone off. Often, simply muting is sufficient. When you feel moved to comment, maintain kindness and focus on your experience. For example, you might say: "Your work means a lot to me, but I’m choosing to step away from content that thrives on drama because it makes me feel worse."

You’re allowed to set boundaries around the minutes you dedicate to scrolling. You don’t have to be available 24. If you notice you’re losing hours to algorithm-driven feeds, remind yourself limiting your viewing to one focused session. Stick to it. You can also inform those around you your viewing plans—for instance: "I’m going offline to recharge."

Establishing boundaries isn’t shutting people out—they’re about making room for what matters. When you express your needs, even simply, you inspire mindful consumption and remind yourself you matter. You don’t need to justify for every choice you make as a viewer. Your emotional balance is a powerful enough motivation.

Remember: it’s not selfish to protect your energy. In fact, it’s essential. By choosing what you watch, you become an conscious viewer in your media life—not just a passive recipient. Simply making this change can create lasting positive change.