Removing Home Internet Is the Most Productive Thing I've Done
I haven&#x27;t dealt with my laptop based computer addiction, but I have solved my cell phone addiction.<p>It&#x27;s important to understand how much behavior around technology is based on ingrained habits. My goal with dealing with my phone was to &quot;short-circuit&quot; the habitual&#x2F;addictive behavior.<p>To do this, I did two things.<p>1. I turned off all automatic notifications on my phone, as well as all background updates of apps&#x2F;email&#x2F;etc.<p>2. I created a simple rule: I can use my phone whenever I want, but I have to wait five minutes after &#x27;thinking of using it.&#x27;<p>Combined, these two rules have been effective in short-circuiting the addictive properties of my cell phone. The five minute wait time gives me the chance to have deliberate&#x2F;conscious thought about my phone use. The lack of automatic updates happening in the background gives me a chance to catch myself, if I unconsciously start using my phone. For example, it takes 20-30 seconds to load email. If I unconsciously open the email app, nothing has changed. Sure, I can tell it to load the email, but the time it takes to load the email gives me the chance to realize I&#x27;m breaking my five minute rule.<p>I feel like I&#x27;m able to use my phone as a tool again. After around a month of this, I&#x27;m no longer scared of my phone&#x27;s power over me.<p>Sadly, I haven&#x27;t figured out an effective system for my computer yet.