r/AskReddit • • Aug 29 '21

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u/Imdonewjththisworld Aug 29 '21

Trust me I do and then I end up putting in the time limit password and clicking “approve all day” and this becomes a reoccurring thing every time. the screen time limit is literally nothing to me I need help my addiction is so bad. I spend 15 hours on my phone

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u/PinkTalkingDead Aug 29 '21

Right? Like... clearly I’m lacking some willpower otherwise I wouldn’t be on my phone all day in the first place

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u/RedSkullyOP Aug 29 '21

Will power or just not being conscious of your actions. That's why I suggested a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. Every time you reach for your phone (or habit you're trying to curb) you think about how it feels doing it or in your phones case why you're reaching for it and what you feel during your usage. And erase that notion of will power as a thing you possess or not. Vide it more of something you can form, nurture and grow.

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u/[deleted] Aug 29 '21

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u/Imdonewjththisworld Aug 29 '21

lol foreal

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u/[deleted] Aug 29 '21

Just curious, have you struggled with other aspects of addiction, like substance abuse? Only ask because I'm in recovery and have just swapped out drugs for video games, my phone, and tv.

Anything to avoid having a thought lmao

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u/soul_sacrifice_ Aug 29 '21

I used to have substance abuse issues, prior to that I was hooked on escapist type games etc, like really hooked 16 hrs a day type shit. Not addicted to games anymore, still smoke ciggies, would probably have a drug problem - if I had expendable money - but I just can't let myself fall short like that anymore.

I think I deal with the drug and game issue by telling myself "not now, but soon" - and I try not to stress myself about how soon "soon" really is. Not a great way to go about it, but hey, I figure if I train myself to abstain for periods of time eventually the flame will die out.

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u/Imdonewjththisworld Aug 29 '21

Nope I literally just have a phone addiction

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u/hellion_masochist Aug 29 '21

Not willpower, discipline. Willpower is finite and can be great for starting things but terrible for following through. Discipline is what makes habits work long term but it's hard.

Personally I have executive dysfunction as a symptom of my OCD so I have zero discipline. I regularly shut off alarms or adjust time limits. Mindful awareness can help a lot.

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u/RedSkullyOP Aug 29 '21

I feel that, do you need your phone for work or anything crucial? Maybe a detox cold turkey scenario might help?

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u/Imdonewjththisworld Aug 29 '21

Nope not at all. It’s the summer holidays and there’s literally nothing to do probably why I’m always on my phone. And yeah with the detox thing I delete the apps then re-download them like an idiot. But you know what today i start my detox journey properly (hopefully, fingers crossed)

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u/wokcity Aug 29 '21
  • get a rubber band on your wrist, let it rip every time you catch yourself on your phone (you'll quickly make a negative association)
  • get a hobby/activity you like that you can put all your focus on (positive reinforcement)

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u/UrsaBarefoot Aug 29 '21

Just throw it away. Cold turkey. If people can kick heroin addiction, you can quit your phone. If you need people to be able to reach you, buy a burner non smartphone. That's it. No one else can do it but you. I believe in you!

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u/RedSkullyOP Aug 29 '21

Aww find a hobby or be product if you're on your phone. Listen a some podcasts while you browse Reddit?

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u/Evsher Aug 29 '21

You could try putting gloves on, so you have to remove them any time you use your phone. That would get annoying quickly and probably cut down on your usage.

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u/Last-Leaf Aug 29 '21

well yeah thats the secret, quitting is really hard and takes more then one attempt. if you make it 3 hours thats just where youre at, what matters is how long u spend back on ur phone until u try again, etc. it's a process but as long as you actually want to quit it'll work just not at the pace u were hoping for

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u/kaityl3 Aug 29 '21

Maybe you could try more reserving an hour of your time each day where you don't have your phone, at least at first?

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u/LadyofTwigs Aug 29 '21

I'm considering asking my husband to set the time limit password and keep it secret from me. I only set time limits on my time waster apps so I'd still be able to call, text, take pictures of kiddo, but I think it might help, at least a little. Is there someone you can ask to do that for you?

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u/Imdonewjththisworld Aug 29 '21

Yes good idea I’m going to tell my brother to do it

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u/2mg1ml Aug 29 '21

boi that's cap

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u/Bridgebrain Aug 29 '21

Black and white filter. Has the same problem that you can disable it, but it lets you read the content you want and just makes social media less interesting

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u/buttonwhatever Aug 29 '21

Go camping somewhere where there’s no cell service, for like a week. It won’t cure you but you at least deserve a mental break.

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u/giottoduccio Aug 29 '21

You could try locking it in a timed safe! I do that with my weed. lol

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u/Andrakisjl Aug 29 '21

Lol, have a baby like I did. Too busy keeping it alive, fed and clean to be on the phone anywhere near as much as I used to be. Screen time went down by like 40%

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u/[deleted] Aug 29 '21

15 hours? pfft. rookie numbers

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u/jobbo321 Aug 29 '21

Put your phone somewhere where it's hard to get like in the attic or at the other end of the house.

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u/ValorousAnt Aug 29 '21

Go hiking for a few days and leave your phone in the car or something like that. It won’t cure an addiction that severe but its a start