A Step-by-step guide to stop wasting time on Reddit
Reddit was something I loathed for a long time. It was badly constructed, made little logic, and was simply tedious.
Then, around two years ago, I resolved to give it my all.
I learned how to use it, adopted the Reddit humor, and subscribed to every subreddit I could think of, including.
Do you find yourself wasting time on social media, checking your phone, or checking the contents of your refrigerator? To make matters worse, you already know that those actions are pointless and inefficient. You can’t help yourself, though.
But wait, there’s more. Instead of battling the need, we’ll try to eliminate the source of the temptation.
reddit The Hooked
It was nearly as bad as being addicted to video games to waste time on Reddit.
I’d spend hours going over the top page of the website, looking at memes and gifs, reading innumerable life advice articles, and even viewing porn.
Despite this, I can’t think of a single piece of advice I’ve seen on Reddit.
I was reading a lot and fooling myself that I was learning and developing myself when it was all going right out the other ear.
I’d been able to control my addiction to other social networking sites, but Reddit was a tenacious foe.
However, I’m here to inform you that it can still be controlled. You, too, can learn how to quit wasting time on Reddit with the appropriate methods and a little work.
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How to Stop Wasting Time on Reddit
You’ve undoubtedly observed that you grab your phone automatically to start browsing the internet in the past. I’m bored, so I’m going to pull out my phone.
While I’m waiting for someone, you might like to check out Reddit. You’ve done it so many times that it’s become second nature… a habit. The good news about habits is that they can be altered, and the first step is to become aware of them. I’d want you to consider the following questions:
- What use does my gadget serve? Is it a case of boredom? Sadness? Tiredness? Is it just me, or am I lonely?
- Will I be holding myself back if I take a day off from my device?
- Is it absolutely necessary for me to execute a job using my device?
Take some time to consider your options and attempt to be as specific as possible.
The sooner you take it seriously, the easier it will be to solve the situation. These questions will be used again, so store them wherever you can see them. The first step is to become more conscious of your usage and to begin catching yourself before it happens.
You’re going to pause and stop yourself every time you want to pick up your gadget from now on. Take a few deep breaths. It’ll be difficult at first, and it won’t happen until you’ve already logged onto Reddit. However, the key is to keep trying until you can do it before it happens.
After you’ve caught yourself in the act, go back and ask yourself those three questions again. Learning what the habit’s starting place is is the first step in changing it. This is referred to as the Trigger in the Habit Loop.
You may start working on regulating your Trigger after you figure out what it is.
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Something Meaningful should take the place of Reddit.
By surfing Reddit, you should be able to identify which requirements you’re aiming to satisfy after some practice.
The next stage is to locate an activity that will satisfy that similar desire without including any of your bad technological habits. Author James Clear outlines three techniques to overcome poor behavior in his New York Times Best Selling Book Atomic Habits:
Finding a substitute habit to offset Reddit will be critical, whether you opt to fully remove Reddit or merely minimize your usage.
If you’re stuck on ideas, go back to a period when you were content without technology.
It may be a memory from the past or a pastime you used to appreciate. Playing music was a major one for me. Over the previous few years, I’d lost touch with something.
Here’s an example of how this may work in practice:
- I’m lonely but I don’t realize it
- I want to interact with my favorite subreddits
- I realize I’m picking up my phone
- “Why am I doing this?”
- Realizing I’m lonely
- Instead of browsing Reddit I’m going to message a friend to hang out
What if I can’t seem to stop myself from wasting time on Reddit?
We don’t even realize we’re picking up our phones most of the time.
Following the previous stages gets tough at this time.
It may sound like I’m repeating myself, but self-awareness and practice are the most important factors here.
The best technique I’ve discovered to regain control of the situation is to take advantage of those little pauses in focus when your gaze naturally shifts away from the screen and try to catch yourself in the act.
Rather than immediately returning to swiping your thumb up and down your screen, you’ll endeavor to reclaim your feeling of awareness of your surroundings.
- Stand up and take a few steps
- Press the buttons on your phone
- Look around and notice where you are
- Kick your feet or stretch your body
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what about Blocking Reddit?
There are well-known blocking programs like Mpsy and the StayFocusd Chrome addon, which is my personal favorite. I added all of the websites I wanted to ban and selected the Nuclear Option for 1000000 hours.
Also, check sure that the extensions page is blocked and that the extension is enabled in incognito mode.
Sure, any tech-savvy person can get around them, but there is one major benefit to utilizing a blocker: it helps to redirect your attention in the present and catch you before you start exploring. This causes you to become more aware of your surroundings and can serve as a useful tool for bringing you back into focus.
While banning applications is beneficial, you should also work on developing the capacity to be alert and aware of the circumstance.
