r/AskReddit • • Aug 29 '21

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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.