diff --git a/app/components/ActivityFeed.tsx b/app/components/ActivityFeed.tsx
index a280bc1..a031f27 100644
--- a/app/components/ActivityFeed.tsx
+++ b/app/components/ActivityFeed.tsx
@@ -54,27 +54,31 @@ export default function ActivityFeed() {
   const [isExpanded, setIsExpanded] = useState(true);
   const [isMinimized, setIsMinimized] = useState(false);
   const [hasActivity, setHasActivity] = useState(false);
-  const [isTrackingEnabled, setIsTrackingEnabled] = useState(() => {
-    // Check localStorage for tracking preference
-    if (typeof window !== "undefined") {
-      try {
-        const stored = localStorage.getItem("activityTrackingEnabled");
-        return stored !== "false"; // Default to true if not set
-      } catch (error) {
-        // localStorage might be disabled
-        if (process.env.NODE_ENV === 'development') {
-          console.warn('Failed to read tracking preference:', error);
-        }
-        return true; // Default to enabled
-      }
-    }
-    return true;
-  });
+  // NOTE: Don't read localStorage during initial render.
+  // Doing so can cause a hydration mismatch (SSR default vs client preference),
+  // which can leave the feed stuck in its initial (small/transparent) motion styles.
+  const [isTrackingEnabled, setIsTrackingEnabled] = useState(true);
   const [quote, setQuote] = useState<{
     content: string;
     author: string;
   } | null>(null);
 
+  // Sync tracking preference after mount (client-only)
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (typeof window === "undefined") return;
+    try {
+      const stored = localStorage.getItem("activityTrackingEnabled");
+      const enabled = stored !== "false"; // Default to true if not set
+      setIsTrackingEnabled(enabled);
+    } catch (error) {
+      // localStorage might be disabled
+      if (process.env.NODE_ENV === "development") {
+        console.warn("Failed to read tracking preference:", error);
+      }
+      // Keep default (enabled)
+    }
+  }, []);
+
   // Fetch data every 30 seconds (optimized to match server cache)
   useEffect(() => {
     // Don't fetch if tracking is disabled or during SSR