How to overcome Phone Addiction • Hacker News Board

Re: How to overcome Phone Addiction

#321

Post by paulvorobyev » Tue, Jan 05, 2021, 4:48 PM UTC

After grappling with phone addiction for quite some time I found that reducing my phone time just shifted my procrastination habits to my computer. These procrastination habits are then worsened by the fact that I am, like many HN users, more efficient at using my computer than I am at using my phone.

I've learned to be okay with dicking around on my phone, but with some caveats:

* All notifications are turned off. No exceptions.

* Phone is only turned on when I'm home alone and not working or doing some focused activity. - Exception to this rule is that I can use my phone for its actual utility outside the house (e.g., phone calls, maps).

Rather than banning distraction altogether, I accept that it's inevitable and dedicate my phone to it. I find that this strikes a balance where I can spend quality time alone while still allowing for the occasional indulgence.

Re: How to overcome Phone Addiction

#322

Post by Bakary » Wed, Jan 06, 2021, 4:52 AM UTC

graeme wrote: post #308

Bakary wrote: post #304

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here are some more details. I used this to treat browsing addiction. Before that, I had to come to the conclusions outlined in the OP to direct my thinking about the problem. I stumbled on the term urge surfing by accident, and tried it out.[0] This video explains essentially everything you need to know about the topic. I used a guided audio meditation sequence in the beginning as it was harder than I expected it to…

Thanks, super interesting I’ll try it. And what’s a long run goal for, say, hacker news and device use? Rich life is a good goal but what does the day to day look like of using the internet as part of that? Or is simply not doing it based on urges enough?

It's all up to you in terms of what you want to do with your life. I can only offer my own experiences and conclusions. Currently, I am trying to pare down browsing as much as possible, but COVID has been a challenge. I'm considering stopping news reading entirely, but that's a different philosophical idea altogether.

On a day-to-day basis, the ideal outcome for me would be to naturally use computers just as tools to make things happen rather than as a self-feeding nexus for various distractions that leave me unsatisfied.

As long as your usage is as intentional as possible, you should be able to naturally gravitate to an agreeable life as defined per your own instincts. Or at the very least, you will not be in a position where your internet usage negatively affects your life. Restructuring lifelong habits is easier said than done, but it's possible.

Re: How to overcome Phone Addiction

#323

Post by Bakary » Wed, Jan 06, 2021, 3:16 PM UTC

username90 wrote: post #190

Bakary wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

By a rich life, I'm referring to something that needs no further justification. When you are in this state, the need to contextualize, criticize, or philosophize about your experiences almost disappears. Think of a young child in a state of playful flow. Even if you fully take on the anti-natalist conclusion, the experience still justifies itself on its own, as an end in itself.

Which is what you get from computers? The only bad thing about them is the low social status associated with it. There is some weird bias in society that you are a lesser human somehow if you spend a lot of time in front of computers instead of doing more "rich" things like reading books. At least for me all anxiety related to spending a lot of time with computers disappeared once I stopped caring about what others t…

I've also struggled with the stigma against computer-based activities in my lifetime. I'm more interested in the opportunity cost for the individual, however, irrespective of what others think. I've posted here with my own experiences, but they are not necessarily applicable to everyone. I'm certain that many people have a perfectly healthy relationship with computers but given the context of the thread I was writing for those who didn't, that is to say those who sought refuge in them in the face of an unsatisfying reality.

In my case, I'm trying to reverse the flow and build the life I was always afraid of. I've caught glimpse of it here and there so I know it's not just a figment of my escapist imagination but a genuine interest. I know that many activities leave me more fulfilled than using a computer, but organizing my life so that I can engage in those regularly is the same difficult challenge that nudged me to get addicted to computers in the first place.

By all means, if you've found a life that's inherently satisfying, don't let yourself deviate from it!

Re: How to overcome Phone Addiction

#324

Post by MeinBlutIstBlau » Fri, Jan 08, 2021, 2:00 AM UTC

TillE wrote: post #185

vharuck wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I remember skipping college classes to play World of Warcraft. Then my graphics card crapped out. So I skipped classes reading psychology books I got from the library. Turns out, my problems were depression and social anxiety, not video games.

Absolutely. 99% of bullshit like "game addiction" is just a symptom of depression or similar, not some distinct phenomenon with a novel cause.

They can build upon one another. So because someone is depressed, they become addicted to something that makes them forget they're depressed.

Re: How to overcome Phone Addiction

#325

Post by dpumpshitlord » Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 11:50 PM UTC

Still waiting for someone to come forward and identify social media's role in intentionally stoking this as it relates to their business model and contributing to a public health and safety crisis.