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Ask HN: Internet / Mobile addiction is destroying me

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Ask HN: Internet / Mobile addiction is destroying me

#1

Post by throwaway638494 »

I'm addicted to my phone. I will say it goes beyond that, what I'm actually addicted to is getting bombarded with information all the time.

I don't spend time on social media apps but I spend insane amounts either googling things to understand them at a surface level, reading HN, or listening to audiobooks / podcasts. I also spend more time than I should on chat apps.

My brain seeks constant stimulation. I just can't stop. I can't even take a walk or do the dishes without listening to something. Even worse, I can't get stimulated enough by just interacting with my young child.

I would rather be acquiring knowledge at a deep level by reading challenging books like textbooks or by creating something. Or connecting deeply with other humans and nature.

To make things worse I'm an iOS developer. And while at work I don't browse because I'm stimulated enough. Outside work though… I just can't stop. I even fall asleep listening to audiobooks. I tried to stop but I can't. Phones became too necessary. What can I do? I despise myself because I know I'm wasting my life. I'm literately missing out on a fulfilling life with depth by living like this.

Re: Ask HN: Internet / Mobile addiction is destroying me

#2

Post by giuliomagnifico »

You’re not alone… I would start by removing all the notifications and subscriptions that aren’t indispensable. But there’s no cut off solutions, you can only start by reduce the stimulus by removing apps, leave the phone locked/at home/etc.. But don’t use drastic solutions, they will work only at the beginning, then you will fall again.

Re: Ask HN: Internet / Mobile addiction is destroying me

#5

Post by sovok_x »

frontman1988 wrote: post #3

I would say go for therapy given you seem to be in an advanced stage of addiction.

Yeah, it's difficult for non-specialist in psychology that isn't dedicated to do major soul-search and change their entire life to do something here. It's better to have a guidance of gestalt psychologist or so, they can try to figure out the underlying problem and make a proper personalized plan to fix this. Even if such advice seems kind of demeaning on surface, it's not, and it's definitely better than trying to blindly solve it by yourself or using superficial measures.

Re: Ask HN: Internet / Mobile addiction is destroying me

#6

Post by cpach »

frontman1988 wrote: post #3

I would say go for therapy given you seem to be in an advanced stage of addiction.

I second this.

It could be ADHD, but only a certified professional can diagnose it.

Meditation can also help, but it’s not generally a substitute for clinical help.

Re: Ask HN: Internet / Mobile addiction is destroying me

#10

Post by anon2020dot00 »

Some people will immediately say that this is due to a chemical imbalance or ADHD and recommend medication; I think medication is only proper as a last resort.

My take is that it is not abnormal to be easily bored. Almost everyone gets bored easily and that's why school is often boring but watching a movie is not. That's why work is work because it is not stimulating but boring. If work was stimulating then no one would play video games for fun and we would instead just work all the time for fun.

Not a medical expert but the basic explanation is that our minds crave novelty and when it does find novelty it releases dopamine which feels good and helps us focus.

Most people just employ tactics to get into the zone to be able to do work. Some tactics that I use and which might also work for you are: Listening to pop music (but on low volume so not to be overwhelming); Doing Mindfulness meditation (taking 10 to 20 minutes to focus on a neutral object but I like my neutral object to be something that I hold in my hand and makes a sound); Reading a book or a comic book (less stimulating than a video); Watching video but it is muted (so as to be less stimulating); Taking handwritten notes or using a whiteboard like in https://sketch.diagrams.net/.

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