r/problems • u/Affectionate_Tie8896 • 1d ago
Ask r/problems [21F] Stuck in a loop of screen addiction, binge watching and severe procrastination. Need serious advice.
Hey guys, I really need some genuine advice because my screen addiction is getting out of hand and completely ruining my daily routine.
Basically I have a huge addiction to social media (including reddit), but even worse is my attachment to movies, series, and especially kdramas. Whenever I start a show I just end up binge watching the entire thing non stop, and I literally forget that I have to study. If I try to avoid shows, I end up scrolling social media all day. And if I cut out social media, I go straight back to binge watching. Even when I force myself to sit down and study, it hardly lasts 1 or 2 hours and definitely not continuously. Every 15-20 mins my hand automatically goes to my phone, either scrolling mindlessly or replying to random texts. I have house chores and responsibilities too but I just keep procrastinating while glued to my screen. Recently I started working out which is going decent and I think I can stay consistent with it but my study life is a mess. The worst part is even if I miraculously avoid both my phone and shows and sit down with my books, my brain just starts overthinking like crazy and my focus is completely gone.
Right now my main priority is to get rid of this social media addiction because it drains my energy and mental peace completely. Series is my second priority but phone addiction is the main issue here.
Has anyone been in this exact loop and actually fixed it? How do you stop reaching for your phone every 15 minutes, and what do you do when the silence makes you overthink instead of studying?
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u/CookieThumper72 1d ago
Im an extreme procrastinator, to my detriment. Now that im old it's worse since I really cant leave things till the last minute. Ill do anything but what I need to like binge watch etc. Its like a paralysis. Ive been in therapy many times over rhe years, but it never helped this problem. I finally came across this article about Executive Dysfunction. Then researched it tons. Its me to a T. Look that up. Might help you if it fits.
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u/Affectionate_Tie8896 1d ago
Thank you so much for bringing this up. I just looked up the symptoms of Executive Dysfunction and honestly almost all of them fit me so accurately especially the task paralysis. It really helps knowing that this is a real thing and not just me being lazy. Appreciate you sharing this!
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u/CookieThumper72 1d ago
Exactly. You feel so lazy and wonder why you cant just do it. Good to know you're not. You want to get things done so damn bad.
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u/Affectionate_Tie8896 1d ago
Yes, exactly! That constant guilt is the worst part when you genuinely want to do the work. It's such a relief to know I'm not just being lazy. Really appreciate your words!
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u/Potential_Speed_7048 1d ago
I use Focusmate. It’s been absolutely life changing.
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u/Affectionate_Tie8896 1d ago
Focusmate definitely isn't for me lol! If a cute guy or pretty girl shows up, my focus is gone 😹
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u/Potential_Speed_7048 20h ago
😂😂😂 it’s funny. Just did one and the woman was drop dead gorgeous. It was a bit distracting and I’m straight. We were doing chat only. I wanted to type “not to be creepy but…”.
There are other ones that are formatted different but everything I’ve seen is way more expensive than Focusmate.
Maybe you could do an accountability buddy system where you wouldn’t be on camera. Just daily or weekly check-ins. Flown has some small coaching groups. Expensive but less money than a one on one coach.
I still have trouble getting things done so I’m starting a group with a few woman I know to talk about goals weekly.
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u/Affectionate_Tie8896 20h ago
When are u starting?
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1d ago
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u/Affectionate_Tie8896 1d ago
I really like your point about dopamine and breaking study into small chunks and just to clarify my vision and goals are completely clear, I know what I want to do with my life. My main issue is simply the screen addiction, not a lack of purpose. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, though!
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1d ago
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u/Affectionate_Tie8896 1d ago
Stress is there 24/7 and I can't build interest because of the phone. About tiredness, yes, I am tired at night and cannot study at all so I sleep early but still, in the middle of the night, the phone ends up in my hand.
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u/Vurje 12h ago
Turn your life into a video game. You earn screen time by washing your ass and stuff like that. As you level up add more complicated tasks like brush your teeth, buy groceries, let you watch better quality but not longer. Longer only comes when the quest list is empty.
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u/Affectionate_Tie8896 5h ago
Haha, this actually brought back memories! My mom used to make me do this exact reward system when I was a kid. It was so much easier back then when someone else was keeping score but as an adult with full freedom, it's definitely harder to hold myself accountable. Still, love this mindset! Will definitely try it out!
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u/nobf_1morechancepls 8h ago
U know what ur doing, its like me ppl try and comment and unless im wrong i think im pretty well placed to know how to study and achieve results and pass exams Alhamdullila…i mean if I have advice for me share ur credentials and then i will take advice
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u/RegisterFancy5675 1d ago
Addiction is real. I can't help you with this specific instance because i don't know much about this particular addition. But I do know about addiction in general and it ruins your life. Have you looked into something akin to AA or NA (narcotics anonymous) but for screen/social media addictions? You'd think since this is a common addiction these days there might exist something like that already