Digital Detox Challenge

I haven't updated here in a while. I don't think I will use this thread as a daily log like some other threads but will post once in a while, maybe once every week to reflect on my relation with the internet.

I didn't go on Twitter/Reddit/news sites so far this month/year. I already feel happier and more relaxed.

Sometimes I go on YouTube to check some piano videos but I don't dwell on it for too long.

 

When making a challenge thread and it becomes inactive, then that's not always a bad sign. Maybe the lifestyle is adapted and the need to rely on an accountability thread is not compelling anymore.

But concerning my use of digital devices, I really need some work. Although I haven't been on Twitter or any news site since the beginning of 2021 (very peaceful - highly recommend it), I do find myself still wasting too much time on the internet. My productivity is suffering from it and I'd like to get more things done.

So I'm going to start documenting my smartphone/computer habits in this thread again. The irony is that this forum can be helpful to improve your lives (having some sort of outlet to share your thoughts, embarking challenges, getting accountability buddies, etc.) it can also be pretty addictive.

So I'm going to:

- block YouTube
- only come on this forum after 8 pm
- only use Spotify after 8 pm

My brain can really use a dopamine detox as I find that my attention span isn't so optimal.

 

I failed miserably today.

Didn't discipline myself. Too much distraction. Went on the forum way too early so I broke my promise.

Tomorrow is another day. I'm going to shut off the screens now in order to enhance my sleep.

 

So I see that I made this thread more than 6 months ago as a way to publicize my attempt in getting a hold on my internet usage. I'm not going to say that in the time since, my digital habit has improved much. I'm struggling with an entertainment addiction, I tend to waste time on sites that provide me with some sort of 'informational novelty', be it media, Twitter, Reddit, ... but also this forum.

Now this forum has actually helped me with keeping myself accountable with regards to certain habits or 'challenges' I created: dietary changes, cold approaching girls, meditation, not snoozing, etc. I don't see why I should make a new thread, so I'm wiping the dust off this thread and use it hold myself accountable concerning my internet usage. So from tomorrow on, I will only check the forum from 9 pm. I have to study during the day so I have my hands full to keep myself busy.

Twitter, Reddit and news sites are a no go. If I need to use YouTube to check something, I will write it down and look it up after 9 pm. The smartphone has to go.

Sounds easy... let's see how it goes.

Day 0

 

Day 1

It's 9:35 pm and it's the first time today I check the forum. I didn't went on Twitter, Reddit, YouTube or the like.

I must say, I'm content with my productivity of today. Normally I'd get distracted by checking YouTube and it would be very hard to escape the entertainment bubble. The result would be that I just waste an entire day doing nothing productive (or I'd try to study but then I'd seek entertainment after like 5 mins). This 'dopamine fasting' is definitely useful. I also feel that my mood is much better because of this.

I used the pomodoro technique to increase my productivity and manage my time.

 

Day 2

I didn't break the rules, first time I check the forum today to update some of my challenges (including this one).

Towards 9 pm, I did notice I was craving some digital entertainment.

Dopamine...

 

Day 3

First time I'm checking the forum today. Man my productivity is better because of this.

 

Day 5-7

I still have been applying this 'digital fast' rule which definitely helps and makes me generally more relaxed.

Towards the end of today I was really craving some digital entertainment, but I reaized that this challenge is a discipline exercise, training that prefrontal cortex, so I cleaned my room instead.

I also was looking up health articles and mildly doomscrolling (something I want to avoid) towards the evening. So yeah, looking up informational novelty is addictive. I haven't been on Twitter for a while though, I want to keep it like that.

 

Day 8

Did the digital fast. Towards the 9 pm I was already reading some content that hasn't anything to do with my studying as a way to 'distract' myself, although I didn't go on the forum, YouTube, Twitter, etc. I need to fill up my time more with studying.

 

So I broke the 'digital fast' today between 4-5 pm (way earlier than I intended...). I had a strong PMO urge so I checked the forum to keep myself a bit distracted. Also scrolled a bit on Reddit and Twitter.

Yesterday was ok. I will digitally fast tomorrow again.

 

Didn't walk the talk today. I came home after my exam and thought I deserved to 'relax' by surfing the web, wasted a lot of time though.

 

Today I checked the forum at around 8.45 pm, so a bit earlier than my rules dictate. Nonetheless the digital fast did help me with my productivity and mood (I have a presentation tomorrow). No other forms of entertainment either (although my brain sometimes makes excuses to check online webshops for books, browse Google images of historical figures I see in my course, etc.). Yesterday I didn't do a digital fast because I felt exhausted because I worked out like crazy on Monday... felt like a hangover yesterday.

Very impressive transformation man. This is huge progress.

The dopamine glow of the smartphone can indeed be very addictive... I also have wasted hours and hourse a day by just scrolling and bombarding the brain with novelty.

A lot of guys who try to recover from a porn addiction also have an internet addiction. This needs to be adressed more though.

 

I need to get back on this tomorrow.

My days feel shattered and disorganized. I need to cut the digital crap out so I can focus on my thesis and following lectures for classes I have exams for in August.

Just 'vibing out on the internet' as a way to fill the time during the day doesn't nourish me on the inside. It leaves me empty. I can't say 'oh well I had a good day today' when I go to sleep at night with this lifestyle, even if other aspects of my day were ok (like working out, eating healthy, etc.). Yes, even the forum can be addictive/distractory, that's why I'm also going to steer clear from it before a 9 pm.