Do you want to scroll less and live more?
Start here.
Hi. I’m Catherine Price.
If you clicked on this post because of its headline, I get it: I started this Substack because I felt a little dead inside, too.
I’m a full-time health and science writer (more details below), and a couple of years ago, I realized that despite my commitment to living a rich and joyful life—and despite the years I’ve spent researching joy, happiness, and fulfillment—I often felt myself wondering, “Is this all there is?” By which I mean, I was busy (very busy), but I felt more overwhelmed than I did fulfilled. I was scrolling more than I was living. I felt disconnected, from joy, from other people, and from myself.
And then an interesting thing happened. I decided to reduce the time I was spending on screens, and increase the time I spent prioritizing playfulness, connection, and flow—in other words, the time I spent on fun. As I did so, I noticed myself changing. I was happier. I laughed more. My days seemed richer. I felt less alone. It felt like something inside of me was waking up—and I wanted more.
So I decided to start this Substack, which is devoted to my own efforts to achieve better screen/life balance and feel more alive. My goal is not only to help myself, but to help other people (i.e. you!) feel more alive, too.
So far, the How to Feel Alive community includes tens of thousands of people around the world who are committed to scrolling less and living more—and having fun along the way.
I’d love to have you join us.
Who I am:
I’m a health and science journalist, author, speaker, and generally curious person (in all senses of the word). My most recent books include How to Break Up With Your Phone and its sequel, The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again.
Over the course of my career as a freelance journalist, I’ve written articles about everything from health and nutrition to mindfulness to travel to technology to fun, and my work has been featured in places including TED, The Best American Science Writing, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, NPR, the BBC, CBS This Morning, and Good Morning America, among others. I’m passionate about trying to squeeze as much joy and delight out of life as I can.
What I write about:
For a more detailed description of what I write about and links to some of my favorite posts, check out the “About” page. But in general, I write about issues related to fun, screen/life balance, phones and technology, friendship, community, connection, delight, and parenting (particularly when it comes to kids and phones). I also share recommendations for apps, platforms, and products that I’ve found helpful in achieving better screen/life balance, along with write-ups of books that I love because, well, I love books.
And also: I have a podcast!
I have a lot of interesting friends and acquaintances, and a lot of people whom I’d like to have conversations with. So I decided to start a podcast (called, appropriately, “How to Feel Alive”). It features informal conversations (as opposed to traditional interviews) with some of my favorite writers, thinkers, and friends.
At the moment, it—like this newsletter itself—is a labor of love, and I’m doing it entirely on my own. (That’s my way of saying that, if you know someone who might want to sponsor it, please let me know!) Regardless, you can check it out here (on Substack) and you can subscribe on most podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Subscriber Benefits:
Speaking of subscriptions, here’s how they work. My free subscribers get access to most of my posts and recommendations, plus 10% off my digital products and courses (including my phone breakup and “find your fun” SMS courses, and the printable companion workbooks for my books).
Want more? Join the Fun Squad
As I mentioned, I’m a full-time freelancer with no outside support, which is why I enabled the option for paid subscriptions. The Fun Squad is my term for my paid subscribers—the people who not only believe in the importance of supporting creative work, but who are convinced of the power of fun (or who know they need help having it!) and want to go a step further in feeling alive. Not only will you be helping to financially support my work, but you’ll get access to other benefits, including:
Full access to all posts
Special 25% discount on my digital products and courses, including:
Text-message-based 30-Day Phone Breakup Course
Text-message-based “Find Your Fun” course
Printable companion workbook for How to Break Up With Your Phone
Printable companion workbook for The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again
Screen/Life Balance Vacation Survival Guide
Screen/Life Balance motivational image collection
I’m also working on a social media detox course and email breakup course!
Special discounts on recommended products
Priority sign-up for live calls & workshops
Access to the Fun Forum community discussion threads, chats, live Q&As, and the ability to leave comments
Membership in a global community of people who are devoted to prioritizing screen/life balance and fun
Huge gratitude from me for financially supporting my work
Thanks for reading, and for considering becoming a subscriber of any kind. I’m excited about this experiment, and would love to have you—and your loved ones— join us.
To scrolling less and living more,
Catherine Price
PS: If you’d like to learn more about my courses, products, books, and speaking work, please visit CatherinePrice.com.
And if you know anyone else who might like to join us, please invite them:
Yes, How?
Hello! I’m trying to check in about receiving my physical book. I’ve tried emailing Catherine but no response. Anyone have word about when books will be sent that were promised when signing up for a paid subscription?