About Are.na
are.na is a contextual, algorithm-free platform for organizing content of various formats: text, image, links, etc., for ongoing research, bookmarking, and mapping connections across topics. There are minimal social options (comments, follows, add to collections).
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Why I started: I initially got into are.na while I was on Instagram. I wanted to use it to start tracking feelings, moods, colors, and patterns related to all 4 seasons. The IG@aredotna account highlights collections and I folowed it for about half a year before I finally signed up.
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Why I continued: After I left Instagram and stopped using social media, Are.na became the platform I use to “doomscroll” (it’s not really doomscrolling on that site - more like inspirescrolling). I still had the automatic action of scrolling so instead of doing it on algorithm-based social platforms, I did it on are.na. It was very helpful in the transition away from too much phone usage.
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What it offers me/value: I like the nonlinear structure, it’s fun finding people with like-minded collections, it’s a great place to collect images and PDF books, I find patterns of thought and color palettes.
Learning Are.na
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Help articles: Use help.are.na to read about it
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Getting started: I recommend creating primary channels for your core interest areas (or the reason you got on the site - what do yo uwant to collect?) and then letting it branch out from there.
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Publishing options: You can share stuff using are.na but there are a few sites people have stood up to share collections in other ways. starstar.website, tiny.garden
My Are.na Flows
Although you can use are.na to clip and save things from your travels around the web, I generally don’t use it that way, with few exceptions. Because I used this site to help me transition from heavy social media use to (hopefully someday) minimal, I’m on the Explore page a lot. I definitely utilize the connections feature, I don’t care how big your account is if you have stuff I like I’m collecting it.
When I add stuff, it’s generally my personal photos or videos, though I might add links to a handful of channels.
Four times a year, as part of my seasonal reflection practices, I review the are.na seasonal channels to find patterns and themes throughout the years (I started those channels in 2024). I only add to season channels during that season.
A few times a year (not on any schedule), I might review the rest of my channels for current relevance, connections, inspiration, or other overlaps that emerge. It’s a fun activity for my brain and certainly more inspiring than hoping the Instagram feed shows me something I love. I am guaranteed to see stuff I love; I curated these collections.
Channels
In addition to my seasonal channels: I am interested in tech stuff, so I have a few topical channels that relate but have different scope. I also have a channel where I collect things I need to hear/be reminded of, free PDF books people added to are.na, and general categories related to my interests.
Blocks
Sometimes I use these as quick diary entires, but these are mostly photos that capture a feeling or color I wanted to remember.