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Youtube addiction problem and NoTube challenge

Discussion in 'Self Improvement' started by Sc8r51o1n, Sep 15, 2019.

  1. Sc8r51o1n

    Sc8r51o1n Fapstronaut

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    Hi all,

    I am an YouTube additict.

    Why is it addictive:
    I love to learn new stuff and YouTube is there for me.

    How I realized that is a problem:
    When I postpone watching "harder" videos for another time, when I have the brain power to process them.
    And I continue watching other stuff, entertaining stuff.

    How much of a problem that is?
    It takes on my time, I watch in bed hours on end until exhaustion and then sleep 7-8 hours, until noon. That puts off my work schedule and all the daily tasks.

    How i realised i am addict:
    Once I forgot my phone at work. Went home, went to bed by midnight, woke up and had a productive morning.
    Repeated that the next day.
    Then with my phone at home I cannot replicate.

    Why is it so hard:
    I lack the middle ground or moderation.
    I cannot uninstall youtube on android and I can't watch just one video.
    I must do either zero or a binge.

    Should I do NoTube challenge?
    Yes, because I felt the resistance and the fear of it in myself.

    Do you relate? What is your experience? Have you done detox of some sort?
     
  2. Marcus Aurelius

    Marcus Aurelius Fapstronaut

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    The internet in general used to be a problem for me. It's so easy to lose hours of your life looking up nonsense. What helped me was making a list of things I needed/wanted to do on the internet every day and then just went through the items one at a time. When you reach the end of the list, shut your computer off until the next day. For YouTube specifically, you can pick a set number of videos you will watch or set a time limit. When you've reached the limit, close YouTube.

    It worked for me. These days, I don't have to use the list anymore.
     
    Lumian, Fenix Rising and Sc8r51o1n like this.
  3. Sc8r51o1n

    Sc8r51o1n Fapstronaut

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    Day 1:

    Played SC2 instead of watching videos.
    I am satisfied.
     
    Usermanual likes this.
  4. vowed

    vowed Fapstronaut

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    Youtube is the one thing I cannot stop using at this time. Seriously, it's easier for me to not masturbate than to go without watching Youtube. And I'm one who uses very little technology.

    So yes, it's addictive :D But the better question is: what harm is it doing?? I've found it to be useful and even therapeutical at times. It's one of those neutral tools of technology that, with some effort, can be used for good.

    On the long run, I'd love to break my Youtube addiction and use it sporadically, but on the short run I don't want to engage in such a frustrating and demanding fight. Small bits are my goal, ex. "no screen challenge", better choice of what I watch, more discipline in terms of time spent there, etc.

    Building up discipline is the key, and then we can "port" it to fight any addiction.
     
    Sc8r51o1n likes this.
  5. I use my phone for my studies, so it's 70-90% work related usage apparently. Maybe try watching only videos that help you with your skills, it may be boring, but it helps big time with career and it will be productive way of channeling a potentially negative activity into something profoundly positive for your life, career and other goals. There is so much educational stuff on YouTube and other websites. Once again, this is just my personal suggestion and I don't claim it to be an ideal one.
     
    vowed likes this.
  6. Sc8r51o1n

    Sc8r51o1n Fapstronaut

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    Indeed. I agree it can be therapeutical, just like going to the movies and disconnecting from reality for 2 hours.

    The harm is when I do it every night and I lose my time.
    If I am aware that I feel a certain way and need to let steam off, then ok.
    But if I numb out and just watch, then I am not happy with it.
    That is why I am on NoTube, to see what need does it cover.
     
    Fenix Rising and vowed like this.
  7. Sc8r51o1n

    Sc8r51o1n Fapstronaut

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    Day 2:

    Spend time with family until midnight.
    Conscious effort to do some meditation and tai chi 30 minutes and now going to bed exhausted.

    Acknowledging the problem was half of the solution.
     
    Usermanual likes this.
  8. Vijay5610

    Vijay5610 Fapstronaut

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    Same problem with me bro
     
  9. Sc8r51o1n

    Sc8r51o1n Fapstronaut

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    Day 3:
    Not sure if that day counts as clean. I watched only the stuff that I want to know. It was focused and deliberate usage.
    Not watching late night, but played sc2 longer than planned :-/
     
    Usermanual likes this.
  10. Sc8r51o1n

    Sc8r51o1n Fapstronaut

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    Day 4:

    Fail: wondered about an attack strategy in sc2 and opened y2b in bed. Watched 3 things on the topic, but eneded up in twitch.tv watching live stream.

    Starting again from zero.


    No youtu.be in bed.
     
    Usermanual likes this.
  11. Sc8r51o1n

    Sc8r51o1n Fapstronaut

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    One day I was busy and did not watch.
    Last night I catched up with stuff that are important for me, after a long day of work. It was almost recreational, but i watched in bed.
    Also I skipped the "harder" videos and watched junk from recommended.

    Goal: five clean nights this week. Even four, as i have a business trip.
     
  12. Sc8r51o1n

    Sc8r51o1n Fapstronaut

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    That slllt is hard. I just end 2 and a half hours of binge watching random stuff.

    Sigh.
     
  13. Sc8r51o1n

    Sc8r51o1n Fapstronaut

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    Getting better at it.
    Went on like 10 day clean.
    D
    Today i binge watched in the daytime as i called it a weekend day and needed a reset from work.

    Not watching in my bed. Not youtube. It was twitch to be honest, and it still counts as improvement.
     
  14. Sc8r51o1n

    Sc8r51o1n Fapstronaut

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    It is a weird journey.
    Last night i felt complete and did not feel like watching.
    Maybe that is the key, after productive day, two dancing lessons and an hour of starcraft2, i just wanted to go to bed.
    It took a few attempts to fall asleep interrupted with ideas w that needed to be put in a note.
     
  15. athlean

    athlean Fapstronaut

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    youtube is addictive, i can relate. i watch youtube hours on end which usually starts by watching just 1 video and telling myself: oh 1 more video can't hurt! and 5 hours later i am still staring at this dumb screen.

    i find it harder to quit youtube than porn :(, BUT

    i now have gone a month without PMO.. i'ma add no youtube to my list of making my life succesful! My plan is to slowly but surely add addictive, non-productive things i do on this list to create a succesful life!

    edit: youtube will still be used for educational purpose, as it still is a great source to learn stuff, it's just the quitting of watching entertainment purposed videos hours on end.
     
    Sc8r51o1n likes this.
  16. Lufaro

    Lufaro Fapstronaut

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    I also have an addiction on youtube. I watch hours and hours of videos about: personal growing, motivation, asmr, a little bit of music.

    This is an addiction that destroy productivity for me. How do you try to resolve?
     

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