How To Get Out Of Life's Algorithm

None of us have personal taste anymore - here's how to cultivate yours.

Hey there,

Katina, Daydreamers’ Co-founder and Chief Science Officer here. It’s finally that time of the week that we all get to slow down, dream big and give our creative brain the space wander, together.

Before we dive in, a quick reminder: There are only a few more slots left to sign up for one-on-one coaching with me. We honestly rarely open these up - so, if you’re feeling stuck in life and craving a deeper connection to your Creative Health, take this as your chance.

For now, let’s explore a question that I can’t get out of my mind: Why does it seem like everyone is the same exact person these days?

It doesn’t matter if you’re scrolling on social media or sitting in a coffee shop - I’m sure you’ve noticed it. We all talk the same. We even look the same. We crave the same trends, repeat the same conversations and frankly, chase the same versions of success.

Think about it: When was the last time you did something because you thought it was cool; not because you got influenced by some stranger on the Internet? 🧐

It might seem funny and innocuous on the surface, but frankly, it’s creatively claustrophobic. And even more, it’s a concerning symptom that we are living in a real-life algorithm - forcing the most popular and sanitized versions of ourselves to the top.

From my perspective as a Creative Health Scientist, this isn’t just a simple case of wanting to fit in or searching for belonging. Instead, it shows how much our hyper-connected world leaves us completely disconnected from our real, authentic, messy, creative selves.

Trust me, this topic goes so much deeper than curating a cool aesthetic. Because, when we start putting all aspects of our lives on autopilot - i.e. shaping them by external influences rather than internal curiosity - we lose something essential to our humanity: our authenticity.

Ugh, I know what you’re thinking - authenticity is one of those annoying words that’s been thrown around so much it’s basically lost all meaning. But here’s the thing: it’s not just a buzzword.

It’s actually a biological necessity for your Creative Health.

Authenticity is deeply rooted in psychology, neuroscience, and even evolutionary biology. So, let me give you the formula to return to your authentic, creative self and in turn, out of this repetitive, exhausting algorithm.

The Neuroscience of Authenticity

At Daydreamers, we like to say that your creativity is like a fingerprint - completely unique to you.

Yet, I hear from our members every day who are scared they have nothing original to say. That their inspiration will run dry. That their creative instincts will somehow fall flat. So, instead of trusting themselves, they default to what feels safer - copying others, following trends, or waiting for permission.

But here’s the truth: Creativity isn’t something you find - it’s something you return to.

Reconnecting with your creative brain isn’t just about making cool things; it’s about breaking free from the algorithm, the trends, and the pressure to fit into a mold that was never meant for you. It’s about coming home to your true, authentic self.

And science backs this up.

When you create from a place of genuine self-expression, your brain releases a surge of dopamine - the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, pleasure, and flow. But it doesn’t stop there. Research shows that authenticity strengthens your Default Mode Network - the area of the brain linked to imagination, problem-solving, and creative breakthroughs.

Simply put: when you embrace your unique creative instincts, your brain quite literally lights up.

On the flip side, the more you suppress your true self, the more drained you’ll feel - not just creatively, but in every area of life. Why? Because masking yourself takes energy.

Your brain has to work overtime, filtering your instincts through layers of perfectionism, self-doubt, and external expectations. Over time, this mental strain leads to higher cortisol levels, increased anxiety, and less space for creative ideation.

At its core, authenticity isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s a biological necessity for Creative Health. It’s the alignment between your internal self (your values, emotions, and beliefs) and how you express yourself outwardly. The smaller the gap between who you are and who you think you should be, the more energized, fulfilled, and creatively free you’ll feel.

Here’s where most of us get stuck: we’ve been conditioned to chase extrinsic motivation (likes, approval, success) instead of following intrinsic motivation (curiosity, joy, exploration).

The good news though? We can all can opt out.

---

Unlocking Your Biological Creative Formula

When we shape our lives around fitting in - following trends, seeking approval - we create a disconnect between who we are and how we show up in the world. And over time living on other people’s terms, we build up layers of pain, shame, and self-doubt.

Instead of developing the most important muscle - our own intrinsic motivation - we outsource our sense of purpose to what’s cool right now. And science shows this is a creativity killer.

Psychologists have found that when we focus too much on external rewards - money, status, social validation - our creativity suffers. Work driven by outside approval is less original, lower quality, and more constrained. It’s also linked to higher stress, anxiety, and burnout.

This is why chasing trends feels unfulfilling. Our brains know when we’re not creating from a place of true self-expression. It’s also why so many creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs feel drained: they start creating for an audience instead of from themselves.

I’ve felt this firsthand as a founder and creator. It’s easy to fall into the trap of making things you think others will like. But, real creative fulfillment comes when you trust yourself enough to create outside the algorithm.

At Daydreamers, everything we build is designed to help you unlearn conformity and reconnect with your most creative, authentic self. Once you peel back the layers of self-doubt and autopilot thinking, you’ll realize originality isn’t about effort - it’s about permission.

Here’s how to start reclaiming your natural creative instincts based on our Conformity Pathway inside the Daydreamers platform:

• Activate curiosity - Follow your inner creative impulses, not just what’s trending. Curiosity is the building-block to inspiration and breakthroughs. Plus, it’s a skill we can cultivate by listening to what makes us excited more often.

• Harness your inner rebel - The most compelling ideas, innovations and creations don’t come from playing it safe. In scientific literature, we call this autonomy. Start by breaking your own rules, and challenge what’s expected.

• Create without an audience in mind - True authenticity comes from creative freedom. When you make something purely for yourself - without worrying about how it will be received - you give your brain permission to tap into its deepest creative reserves.

Bottom line: Authenticity is jet fuel for your creativity.

Remember that authentic self-expression sparks a surge of dopamine - the brain’s natural fuel for motivation, joy, and flow. That’s why when you create from a place of true originality, it doesn’t drain you, it recharges you.

Next week, we’re diving into the science of flow state - exactly how to access that immersive, electrifying creative zone where time disappears, ideas flow effortlessly, and your most original work comes to life.

But for now, ask yourself: Where is your real, creative, authentic self hiding? And how can you bring more of it into your life this week?

- Katina

Daydreamers’ Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer

P.S. The Daydreamers platform is built to help you unlock creative authenticity on your own time, in the most accessible way. But if you’re craving a deeper way to rediscover your creative voice outside the algorithm, there are just a few slots left for one-on-one support with me. I can’t wait to dive in 🧠

---

Enjoying what you’re reading?

If this resonated with you, forward it to a friend who needs a reminder to get out of the algorithm and back into their own creative brain.

We’re on a mission to reach 100,000 Creative Brains - because Creative Health isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential for our individual and collective well-being. Let’s make it the movement it deserves to be 🚀 With us?

---

Creative Brain Expander 🧠

Let’s take your Creative Health even further. Each week, we’ll share a creative concept or tool from the Daydreamers Platform to help you turn insights into action.

The Conformity Pathway

• What it is: Through our years of building and research, we’ve discovered three core creative blocks that hold most adults back from being our true, creatively fulfilled selves: Perfectionism, Overthinking and Conformity. Conformity is deeply wired into us - it comes from our innate need to belong. But while fitting in can feel safe, it often keeps us from expressing our real, creative selves. On this journey, you’ll learn the science behind to rebelling against the rules - and ultimately creating your own - by reconnecting with your innate vulnerability, authenticity and creative, playful essence.

• How to experiment with it: One of my favorite elements of this journey is learning how to take creative risks. Risk-taking might sound intimidating, but the most creative minds have trained their brains to lean into discomfort, experiment without fear, and trust their unique instincts. You can too: Try to take a tiny, unexpected risk in your creative practice this week. Write, paint, design, or brainstorm in a way that feels new - even if it feels messy in the moment.

Curious to explore more? We’ve got a whole library of science-backed creative exercises waiting for you in the Daydreamers Universe.

---

What We’re Loving This Week 🪐

Each week, we’ll share something that’s that’s helping us live a more creatively fulfilling life - whether it’s a book, an idea or even product we love. Think of it as a little dose of inspiration straight from me, Katina, and the team at DD HQ 🚀

📢 Calling All Creators!

Creative authenticity thrives in community - a space where you can show up as your true self and feel like you belong.

We’ve got some exciting Daydreamers member events coming to our Substack community in March (stay tuned! 👀), but in the meantime, we want to feature you.

If you’re working on something - a project, a newsletter, a company, or a creative experiment - you’re excited to share, fill out this form to be featured in an upcoming newsletter! 🛸