Similar process to other addictions. Take it seriously if you want serious results. Find social support.
this post was submitted on 15 Nov 2024
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You are, in fact, doom scrolling.
I forgot the term doomscroll lol
Go on a vacation with a dumb phone. Make sure there are tons of active activities to wear you out. Bring a friend if possible who will do the same.
Before you leave, set up some form of blocker/parental controls and have someone you trust set the passwords.
Get a different hobby. Find some activity you're interested in. Then focus on that and slowly let go. And keep in mind what matters to you.
Get a dumb phone.
This works. If OP has a SIM card (vs esim) then it’s easy to move it back and forth between phones as the problem ebbs and flows. I have a $60 “feature” phone (the non-slang name for them) that sits in a drawer and comes out a few times a year to quell the noise.
Find another activity to replace it and limit your time.
Try to think, "this time, I'm going to go play with that game on my phone" or whatever that activity is.
When I feel like I'm sick of browsing social media I've done things like get up and tidy up, open the day planner, do a chore, play a video game, read, and hell I bought some word search books on ebay to have around to pull out and do. There's tons of other things to do that's better than this shit, you just have to remember that it's there and force yourself to go do it.
Just remember you don't want it.
Have a trigger to make sure evertrimrbyou have an urge to go on there you do not. Pinch your arm or smth. Put it in a folder on the last page of your phone and the few extra taps and swipes will be enough to remind you or trigger your memory not to do it.
Find out why you go there?
I really hate all my hobbies, they all have horrible experiences associated with them
I deleted the (patched third party) app and removed all links from chrome history.
Yup, and if you find that it's still not enough then you can add more friction.
For example, if there is a certain subreddit that you go to a lot and don't want to, block that subreddit at the browser level.
You could block the entire website, but you don't want to get into the habit of unblocking things (ex. If you need to access a post with some resource, after coming across it when searching). Better to block what you need to block, instead of overdoing it.
Other changes:
- old.reddit
- uBlock origin to block parts of a site
- disabling subreddit themes
- extensions such as this (unless there is a more up to date version: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-CA/firefox/addon/minimal-internet-experience/ )
I’m not sure how applicable this advice is, but I had a similar problem with short form content. I would scroll for hours and hours everyday and just felt really unproductive. So, to fix it, I deleted Instagram and got Lemmy! Instead of using software with an abundance of short form content, I forced myself to use software that has limited long form content. By intentionally putting limitations on myself, I was able to correct my behavior. However, I didn’t completely go cold turkey; I allowed myself to consume long form content that I viewed as more “intellectual,” “mature,” or worth my time.
If I were in your situation, I would need something to add some resistance into the process of opening Reddit. For me, that resistance was deleting an app so I had to go out of my way to reinstall it. For you, maybe you could automatically delete Reddit cookies so you have to log in every time? Maybe add parental controls to your router to block it? And as an alternative, maybe block political communities on Lemmy and browse that? Maybe read articles or the news instead?
Do you have a pet? If you're able to keep a pet, they're great distractions from the self-inflicted psychological damage from consuming corporate social media
I used to. When I move I plan on getting animals, probably adopt old dogs or have smaller ones who don't need as much walking OR just cats for now (or probably get a large dog and walk them an hour a day anyway lol what's 13 hours instead of my usual daily 12 if I live close enough to work 🤔)
For me, the best way to quit bad habits is to find alternative hobbies. Try something new. Join a local group.
- One cannot can fight an addiction by deciding to do boring or not as exciting stuff. You need to find more exciting/interesting activities outside of the Web, be it on reddit or whatever.
So, the question boils down to: do you have any passion, hobby, side activity you wish to invest more time in it? Now would be a good time. And if you don't have any, now will the best time to start trying out new activities ;)
Don't be afraid to try stuff and then to change if you do't enjoy them. - What may also help you is to realize you have one live to live, with a (very) limited amount of time before it's over. We all have.
So, do you really want to waste any second of your time reading some bullshit and interacting with assholes or morons (that are proud of their crass ignorance and their constant hatred)?
I certainly don't, my time is way too precious to waste it with them.
Enjoy spending your time doing positive activities. Things that will help you grow and appreciate life even more. Play music, write, sketch, paint, dance, do a movie, sculpt, or go out for a walk, have a look at whatever nature remains near you... while there is still something to look at. Spend as much time as you can with the people you care about, your spouse and your family maybe? Not with a bunch of hateful and dumber than shit morons.
You're right. I do like to write, worldbuild, and create games.
Then, don't hesitate. Do what you really like.
Also, don't be afraid to try new stuff if you feel like those are not enough.