Ask HN: Internet / Mobile addiction is destroying me

What’s happening is that you’re entering a flow state, albeit one that is distressing you.

You need to jam the flow. And jam it frequently, bc most likely if you take a 5 minute break you will gravitate back towards an LCD screen again.

Look up the prerequisites of a flow state- a task that is at the sweet spot of difficulty and novelty. Another way to think about it is a flow is a very high bandwidth (in an information theoretic sense) experience. Tells you what you need to do: live via non-digital, high-bandwidth experiences!

Challenge yourself! Do something semi structured yet semi scary- dance classes? Public speaking? Something where to do it right, you need to be processing more life ‘data’ than sitting in front of the screen

Also watch the movie Ikiru - it is a classic, extremely moving, and very intelligent movie from the 1950s. The main character is a man who realizes one day that he has not been really living - but then, he really manages to change his life quickly, and he manages to live. May be some real and recognizable inspiration and beauty in it for you :)

I recognice myself in this description albeit only partly. Luckily I became aware early on. I force myself to give up things from time to time. Right now youtube is completly blocked from my phone. In the morning I take time to read and pray. I dont have kids, that makes it a lot easier. Cant give you a good advice, just wanted to say you are not the only one in this struggle.