This is going to be a long winded post, but I'm going to share my progress with my reliance on the internet and give some tips to others in a similar predicament with obsessive personalities or internet addiction. I have always had problems with moderation, but the past year or so I've been learning a lot. I figure sharing some advice might help someone, as I notice a couple of users banned themselves for these reasons. It's a shame they are no longer with us. Whilst that is perfectly understandable, and a good step, I think you can enjoy the internet without having to go to the extremes. Just by setting a few barriers.
Saying "Just log out" doesn't work for most people, I know it doesn't for me. It really depends on how much you value the internet. You get in to this habit of just opening up sites without thinking about it, and the first step is breaking out of that.
This is what I personally do, and what you can try:
- Try using a dumb phone or leaving your phone alone stored somewhere when it isn't needed.
A dumb phone helps by limiting the apps. I personally do this, my phone is boring, and that is a good thing. I text and call from it, that's it. It gets put out of reach when I get home. If you have a smart phone, try to put it somewhere where it's hassle to reach, don't keep it right next to you. Avoid the temptation of mindless scrolling.
- Put a countdown timer when you use sites like GAF, Reddit, Youtube etc.
I do this on occasion. I set a timer for say 30 minutes, and when that time is up I
have to get off. No ifs, ands and buts. It's time to close the tab and do something else. It keeps me in check.
- Have No Surf days.
Try having a day where you don't use the internet to browse at all. You won't miss much, trust me. Do some reading, watch a movie, play games. Whatever it may be, just get away from it all for a bit. I have days where I don't think about my PC at all, it's refreshing.
- Use a reward system.
I do all my chores first, and then I use the internet. I don't say "Eh, I'll do it later" as that lets me wriggle my way out of it, and forms bad habits again.
Those are just some things you can try. I still have nights where I spend too much time online, but I always make sure to then have a couple of days away from the internet. For now, that balances it out. I eventually want to reach a point where I never spend more time than I originally intended to do. Weekends I give myself a bit more freedom as I don't tend to do much anyways, but I make my week days very productive. I look at my Weekends as my leisure time.
Remember: You're not a bad person for using the internet. You can have fun and enjoy yourself. Just remember if it's becoming a problem or getting in the way of real life things, then you should take some steps to change your habits. Habits are hard to break, but they can be changed.
I'm always a PM away if anyone wants support with this. I have come so far since my early 20's. I used to never leave my screen.
