Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

I program for a living and I'm addicted to the internet. Help

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

1–10 of 17 posts

I program for a living and I'm addicted to the internet. Help

#1

Post by pcjunkie »

Over the past few years I've grown to see my internet use as an addiction. It's compulsive, it's not just social media, it's just the act of shoveling information into my brain. Novelty. Click. Read. Click. Read.

I've also discovered that it's having a negative effect on my ability to focus. I used to read a book a week. I haven't read a book since I got a smartphone. I can't.

Anytime I've done a full computer detox I feel better within a week. My sleep schedule normalizes. My focus lengthens. My brain gets quieter and less compulsive. Time with friends and loved ones becomes deeper.

But I love coding. And I love programming for a living. And I love programming side projects. Programming isn't really the problem. It's a productiv focused creative act that also provides me a good living.

But programming takes place on the internet pretty much. It's ever present.

I'm thinking about going internet free at home. No wifi. No smartphone. Just access to the internet while programming at work.

Any tried something similar?

Re: I program for a living and I'm addicted to the internet. Help

#2

Post by utefan001 »

I think cold turkey is good idea. If you are not able to do that, I have free beta app for Android and iOS that will force phone to use specific DNS server. If you have someone who can control time and sites DNS will respond, it might help keep you on track using tech like opendns or dnsjack on GitHub. I also have anti internet addiction solution, but it's mainly for younger children since adult could easily bypass DNS settings (dnslearning.org). In order to prevent bypassing system, we tell parents to pay attention to timeline activity.

Re: I program for a living and I'm addicted to the internet. Help

#4

Post by panchicore3 »

I had the same problem, suddenly I had 2 kids, one followed the other, the Internet use becomes better, I am consuming just the necessary which is filtered organically by the amount of free time available. I am the developer as well and the time pressure is making me pragmatic. Not sure if this is 100% related to your problem but there is a point: there is something between the stimulus and the response, you are free to do what you decide to do in between, apply your real-time filter and go on. no need to shut down the connectivity, proof yourself you can.

Re: I program for a living and I'm addicted to the internet. Help

#5

Post by irremediable »

Absolutely, try your idea of only internet at work. If that impairs your social life too much, maybe allow yourself messaging applications but not sites.

I've generally found there are a couple of main culprits for me -- Reddit, HN, Twitter -- and banning myself from them during work hours fixes things. YMMV.

Re: I program for a living and I'm addicted to the internet. Help

#6

Post by asnyc »

- You can try something like Pomodoro, which is like a timer running forcing you to focus for 25 mins, followed by a 5 minute rest. - You can install web plugins, which will allow you to measure where you are spending time online, this will sort of show you how bad it has been - If a complete computer detox helps, you need to follow it up - You need to fill your day with more enriching activities

Remember, every habit takes ~21 days to get complete hold of. So, need to consistently do it for a while.

Re: I program for a living and I'm addicted to the internet. Help

#7

Post by muzani »

asnyc wrote: post #6

- You can try something like Pomodoro, which is like a timer running forcing you to focus for 25 mins, followed by a 5 minute rest. - You can install web plugins, which will allow you to measure where you are spending time online, this will sort of show you how bad it has been - If a complete computer detox helps, you need to follow it up - You need to fill your day with more enriching activities Remember, every habi…

Pomodoro's downside is that concentration takes more than 25 minutes and the breaks should be longer. But adjust as fits as long as you can stick to it. I go with 1 hr work/30 min break.

The brain processes creative thoughts while 'inactive'. But it's vital not to think of other things - especially social media. Breaks like walks, lunch, shower, naps will keep your brain processing.

Re: I program for a living and I'm addicted to the internet. Help

#9

Post by elymar »

I do several things. Pomodoro technique with the timer visible to see the clock run down (www.tomato-timer.com). Stay focused Chrome plugin to blacklist sites and only have a set duration e.g. 10 minutes to look at them during the day (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/stayfocusd/laankej...). Finally put your phone at least 20 feet away to not compulsively look at it (with airplane or moonlight mode on). Also check out the book Deep Work by Cal Newport for more strategies.

Re: I program for a living and I'm addicted to the internet. Help

#10

Post by muzani »

Don't try to cut off social media or junk internet completely because it has its uses. Don't schedule breaks from it, schedule time where you can fully engage in it. Maybe only nights or weekends.

Train yourself to enjoy boredom. Boredom is not unproductive. Boredom trains you to focus. Force yourself to be bored for periods of time, even if it's just closing your phone before bed.

You might want to replace your bad internet habits with better ones. It can still be 'unhealthy', as long as it's enjoyable. I've replaced it with Netflix and HN. Netflix at least trains me to focus on something for 20 minutes without getting distracted.

The book Deep Work also covers this quite a bit.

Post reply on HN