I recently came across a thought-provoking video that delved into the struggle of overcoming internet addiction. The speaker reflected on a decade lost to the virtual world, a place that often felt more real than reality itself. Despite having a successful freelancing career and a growing YouTube channel, they found themselves regretting the time wasted scrolling aimlessly online, neglecting their dreams of building websites or apps.
The speaker rationalized their internet use as a form of learning, amassing a wealth of knowledge but rarely applying it. They emphasized the importance of breaking this habit for a better financial, physical, intellectual, and spiritual life. However, they also acknowledged that total ascension from the internet isn’t realistic. Overcoming internet addiction, they argued, requires a mindset shift rather than relying solely on willpower or external restrictions.
Quitting the internet isn’t about giving up something valuable; it’s about lifting a weight off your mind. The initial boredom fades, revealing genuine desires. Without constant online stimulation, real life may seem less entertaining, but it allows for the rediscovery of personal interests. Breaking free from the internet allows you to think for yourself, form original opinions, and deal with underlying issues. By ceasing to identify as an internet-addicted person, redirecting impulses becomes easier, leading to a more fulfilling and self-directed life.
This got me thinking: Is simply replacing internet consumption with another form of consumption, like reading books, truly purposeful? To make life more meaningful, I believe the most important paradigm shift is to become a producer rather than a consumer. If you’re reading books but not applying the knowledge to build something, isn’t it just as unproductive as doom-scrolling the internet?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
Video TLDR
Reflecting on a lost decade to internet addiction, especially the last five years, I realize the virtual world felt more real, resulting in regrets over wasted time. Despite a decade of freelancing, I took the easy route, neglecting dreams like building websites or apps. While my YouTube channel grew, I abandoned other passions, spending hours scrolling online without real enjoyment. Rationalizing it as learning, I amassed knowledge but rarely applied it. Breaking this habit is crucial for a better financial, physical, intellectual, and spiritual life, though total ascension isn’t realistic. Overcoming internet addiction requires a mindset shift rather than relying on willpower or external restrictions. Quitting the internet isn’t about giving up something valuable; it’s like lifting a weight off your mind. Initial boredom fades, revealing genuine desires. Without constant online stimulation, real life may seem less entertaining, but it allows rediscovery of personal interests. Breaking free lets you think for yourself, form original opinions, and deal with underlying issues. By ceasing to identify as an internet-addicted person, redirecting impulses becomes easier, leading to a more fulfilling and self-directed life.
Edit: the video was a very good perspective on information addiction, the creator mentioned how he didn’t feel like he was actually enjoying his time online. And I think that’s a good point that just consuming information can be an addiction.
I haven’t yet watched your video but I read your post and just wanted to respond to your question about what’s the difference to being well read or spending time on the internet and whether that’s productive.
What’s productive is up to the perspective of the individual. I might not find reading a lot as something worth my time, or spending time on the internet, or playing video games. But if someone wants to be well read or have many different experiences through video games or establish relationships and communities over the internet, and that helps them reach self-actualization then that was absolutely productive
You don’t have to be a “producer” to be productive.