If you spent too much time online — for work or, perhaps misguidedly, for pleasure — you might feel the urge to do something on the internet that isn't quite as devastating as reading the news and keeping up with Elon Musk. For those times, consider swapping your hour on the social media cesspool that is Twitter for a couple of minutes scrolling through a pleasant Reddit thread, or discovering the vastness of space.
Here are my picks of the 10 best places on the internet in 2022. Some will alleviate your anxieties, others might encourage them to flourish, but they're all worth a visit.
1. The Eyebleach subreddit
When I first happened upon the eyebleach subreddit, I thought it would be full of things so terrible, so deeply unsettling, that you'd need to bleach your eyes after spotting them. But thankfully, I was wrong! With 3.4 million members posting only the nicest content, r/eyebleach is, instead, full of things to look at when you need your eyes bleached due to the deluge of horror on the internet. Scroll through, and you'll find a photo of three dogs with their heads resting on each other, or a bear cub doing what I can only describe as a lil' jig, or some dude gaining the trust of a hummingbird.
2. Substack Chats, for now
Substack isn't without its problems, but it's newly launched Chat function, a space for Substack writers and creators to host Twitter-like conversations with their subscribers, is delightful. It's described it as "having your own private social network where you make the rules," and feels a lot like AOL Instant Messenger and Reddit combined.
3. AF Gang
Whether you're a fan of the British-Irish rock band Idles or not, AF Gang is one of the best places to spend time online. They have a subreddit and a Facebook page, dedicated not only to Idles' music but also to creating a community in which talking about mental health is welcomed. If Idles isn't your specific kind of music, try out other fan-created online communities to celebrate bands — like the "Jeff Rosenstock I Look Like Shitposting" page, for example.
4. 100,000 Stars
Do you remember that scene in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, when Obi-Wan Kenobi is trying to find a planet, and all the planets show up in front of him in a hologram? This is basically the website version of that, without any of the Star Wars references, and also it's on your computer instead of floating in front of you. It shows a representation of the galaxy, with all the stars inside it, and lets you take a tour of it starting at the Sun.
5. A Soft Murmur
When you want good background noise but can't find the right tune, this is the best website to find that perfect auditory experience. Just wiggle the sliders, and create your ideal calming background noise. The mere process of creating this will put your mind at ease.
6. The indieheads subreddit
With over 2 million members, Indie Heads is one of the largest music subreddits on the platform. It's a place to read AMAs with your favorite indie artists, discuss new music, and write about your favorite album of the year. If you're a fan of indie music, this is one of the best places to spend your time online.
7. The Moth
If you want to just listen to some stories — by Neil Gaiman, Kim Sykes, Tricia Rose Burt, or any number of talented writers — The Moth is a delightful way to do just that. It's relaxing, educational, and the website is easy to navigate and fun to use.
8. The Nicest Place On The Internet
This site was created by Toby Benjamin to give visitors "a little pick-me-up," according to the site. You enter the space and are immediately greeted by a hug. "So come on by to turn the sad into happy and the happy into a celebration," the site's copy reads. "Cause this is a nice place to visit on days like today."
9. I wish I was Shitposting about music in a bunker
You don't have to love music to enjoy the I wish I was Shitposting about music in a bunker Facebook page — but it'd probably make it a bit more fun. Chock-full of poorly made memes and discussions about new music, it's one of the most delightful places on Facebook.
10. Websites dedicated to cute animals
When all else fails, it's important to get your daily dose of serotonin. Enter the websites dedicated specifically to cute animals, like Zoo Borns and Open Puppies and this livestream that just shows you a bunch of brown bears.
