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What's your take on internet addiction?

Discussion in 'Off-topic Discussion' started by forairports, Aug 26, 2018.

  1. forairports

    forairports Fapstronaut

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    Hey guys.

    So I've been a budding porn addict for about two years now, and something that has gotten steadily worse along with porn addiction is generalized internet addiction. I believe these two things are symptoms of an over-arching problem I have with boredom and stimulation, but I was wondering if anyone else suffered from the same thing.

    I describe it as an addiction to my laptop. When I'm bored, I reach for my laptop. I browse YouTube, sift through Instagram, or just look up random news articles for hours and hours on end. Most days I have alone, I'll be on the computer for at least 4 or 5 hours. Sometimes I'll be watching a show, in which case I'll binge for 8 to 12 hours. It's so bad that I really struggle with putting my laptop down even as it reaches into 5 or 6 in the morning, sometimes for days in a row.

    I've suffered from this as far back as I can remember, even deep into my childhood–against my own better judgement, I would sit in front of a computer screen from 3pm until bedtime playing mindless computer games. It evolved into video games as a teen in high school. I would compulsively play these games late into the night, missing out on sleep and time outside. Now that I'm over gaming (I still appreciate it, but I never participated in it healthily), it's just YouTube. Talk shows. SNL. Random clips from superhero movies. For hours and hours.

    I'm really afraid that I'm absolutely wasting my life in a pit of pathetic shit and there aren't many people around me who understand. It's a really shameful thing to admit because there's such a stigma of laziness or It's-Just-Your-Choice around it. Does anyone relate? Can anyone link me to anything useful, or does anyone have any tips to overcome this? Feel free to PM me if you find it appropriate.

    Thanks!!

    -forairports
     
    yugowolf1991 likes this.
  2. yugowolf1991

    yugowolf1991 Fapstronaut

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    This is a very interesting subject and to be honest I've done the same myself with regards to youtube ( i used to on social media but I deleted it all a while ago)
    I've actually recently lost my laptop it broke and I've been reading more been watching old movies and show's I haven't seen for ages and actually enjoying it a lot. More importantly though there is a lot less pacrastination when I need to exercise or do something important.
     
    forairports likes this.
  3. CrimsnBlade

    CrimsnBlade Fapstronaut

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    In my opinion, this is all part of the addiction to dopamine. Not knowing what's going to happen next gives us hits of dopamine. Look at everyone staring at social media, scrolling feeds, reading news articles, all types of things. It's addicting to be constantly stimulated by these things even if it's in small amounts. Tons of stuff like this contributes to sedentary lifestyles where we feel happy temporarily because of these little hits of excitement we get. It spans to a TON of people, most people just don't have the self awareness or understanding to realize that it can be a problem/addiction.

    You're not alone in having the issue. You're of a much smaller number of those who realize that the issue is even there. If you're worried about wasting your life, the only person who can change it is you. Just try picking one new things to try, once or twice a week. Make it something outdoors (being outside can be a surprisingly refreshing boost to your mood). Just be willing to get up and move. It really does make a difference.
     
    yugowolf1991 and forairports like this.
  4. Well said.
     
    yugowolf1991 and forairports like this.
  5. forairports

    forairports Fapstronaut

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    Yeah, for sure. I understand, and appreciate the advice. And I know!! There are a TON of people who get that sort of addiction! And you can see and pick out the ones that don't too, and be a little jealous of how much they are able to achieve with that powerful amount of focus.

    I do understand the second half. I've been thinking a lot about ownership lately–just a different word for really the same idea. Self-responsibility, proactive, initiative. But I've been digging the term "ownership" because it has this spirit of really owning your own body and actions. Rather than just being "responsible" for them, which could suggest that they just happen to be in your possession and you feel obligated to use them, ownership is really: Your body is yours alone, and what you choose to do relies on only you.

    I guess I'm just stuck as to how to do the things I want to do. Not long-term career ambitions, I mean just going outside, or running, or climbing rocks, or whatever it is. The "just do it" mentality has been what I've been adopting, but that's really slow and there's a lot of trial and error involved. But either way, I really appreciate the feedback you've given and that you can relate.
     
  6. forairports

    forairports Fapstronaut

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    I feel that. That whole "symptoms of an overarching problem with boredom and stimulation" thing. I really get that. Addressing the symptoms–porn, sex, YouTube–is healthy and worthwhile, but I'd say based on that that the goal past recovery would be to address the fundamental problem behind them. Boredom, procrastination, stimulation, or whatever it may be.
     
    yugowolf1991 likes this.
  7. yugowolf1991

    yugowolf1991 Fapstronaut

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    Very insightful and I agree with all of what others have posted. What I've started to do is write week goals ones I need to hit and ones that would be good to do. And set a timer when I'm on the Internet particularly youtube. I've been doing the latter for a while and the amount of wasted time is staggering.
    My laptop is currently broken and to be honest I'm not in the biggest hurry to get a new one
     
    forairports likes this.
  8. CrimsnBlade

    CrimsnBlade Fapstronaut

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    The trial and error is all part of the adventure. That's what makes it fun! You mess up, you learn something new, you try something different. That's where you start to gain real life experience that hopefully you will be able to offer to others farther down the road.
     

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