Ask HN: How do you fight YouTube addiction and procrastination? I'm struggling

I used to spend a lot of time on TikTok unconsciously every day—around 2 to 3 hours. By the time I realized it, the time had already passed! I don’t know how many people have the same problem as me. When I became aware of it, I started reading. Now I spend about half an hour to an hour every day reading. Reading helps me start thinking and brings me a sense of calm.

Also, here’s a small tip: I like to read the text out loud while reading. This makes it easier for me to get into the reading state (sometimes speaking the words is a way to let my inner self really “see” them).

Later, I often wondered how many people might have the same problem as me. That gave me an idea—to create a video aggregation website that mainly shares good-quality videos beneficial for personal growth. Now, I’d love to hear how many friends might have a similar need!

It's been as simple as closing the tab and not opening YouTube again. I quit some other sites/games this way if I felt that they annoyed me. HN is what I have left still. Maybe you don't despise YouTube enough?

Thank you - did not know this existed.

I'm finding the blank youtube page incredibly soothing already!

Use pomodoro

I don't, I spend hours on YouTube every day even though I care very little about the content I watch and mostly do it just to hear some familiar voices in my head. Then I feel bad about it, go to bed, have terrible sleep, wake up with barely any energy to even get out of bed, and the cycle begins anew.

How I manage to actually get enough work done to keep my job is some kind of a miracle, I guess. I've long given up on personal projects or even anime and games. Everything requires too much energy that I don't seem to be able to find, so the comfort zone of YouTube or similar time wasters it is (browsing HN is my latest one, with all due respect to some of the really useful content on this website).

All I can say is, try not to be me if you can help it. Vicious cycle, this. Some find therapy or medication helpful, could be worth considering.