#Nytimes news quiz reddit how to#
#Nytimes news quiz reddit pro#

Instead of going straight back to moving your thumb up and down your screen, you’re going to try to and regain a sense of awareness of your surroundings. The best way that I’ve found to take control of the situation is to use those momentary lapses in concentration, when your attention naturally breaks from the screen, and attempt to catch yourself in the moment. It might sound like I’m repeating myself but again, the key here is self-awareness and practice. It’s at this point when following the previous steps becomes difficult. Most of the time we pick up our phone, we don’t even realize we’re doing it. What If I Can’t Stop Wasting Time Reddit? This is a pretty simple explanation but I hope it makes some sense to you. Instead of browsing Reddit I’m going to message a friend to hang out.I want to interact with my favorite subreddits.The important thing now is to begin associating the urge with picking up your device, with the urge to spend time on your preferred activities.Īn example of what this might look like with practice: We also have a list of 60+ new hobby ideas here. Something I’d fallen out of touch with over the last few years. It might be a past experience or hobbies you used to enjoy.Ī big one for me was playing music. If you’ve got no idea what to do, try looking back to a time where you were happy without technology. Whether you decide to eliminate Reddit completely or simply reduce your usage, finding a replacement habit to counter Reddit will be crucial. It just depends on what you want to achieve. Substitution – replace the bad habit with a good one.Īll three can work. In the New York Times Best Selling Book, Atomic Habits, author James Clear shares three ways to break a bad habit:Ģ. Now, the next step is to find an activity that can fill that same need, without incorporating any unhealthy technology habits you’ve already developed. Replace Reddit with Something MeaningfulĪfter a bit of practice, you should have identified which needs you’re trying to fulfill by browsing Reddit. Once you learn what your Trigger is, you can begin to work on controlling it. In the Habit Loop this is called the Trigger. The first necessary step in changing a habit is learning what the start point of that habit is. Once you’ve caught yourself in the process, I want you to ask yourself those three questions from before.Īll we’re trying to do here is develop some self-awareness to our habit. But, the trick is to keep trying until you’re eventually doing it before it happens. It’s going to be tough to begin with, and probably won’t happen until you’ve already opened Reddit. The first thing you need to do is learn to be aware of your usage, and start catching yourself before it happens.įrom now on, every time you go to pick up your device, you’re going to pause and stop yourself in the act. Now, we’re going to use these questions again, so keep them somewhere you can see them. The more serious you can take it now, the easier it will be to overcome the problem. Take some time to have a think, and try to get as in-depth as possible. Is it an absolute must for me to use my device to complete a task?.If I take a day off from my device, will I be holding myself back?.What need is my device fulfilling? Is it to do with boredom? Sadness? Tiredness? Or am I just lonely?.I want you to ask yourself a few questions:

The good thing about habits is that they can be changed, and that begins with awareness. You’ve done it so much now that it has turned into an automatic response… a habit. I’m waiting for someone, better browse Reddit. You’ve probably noticed in the past that you unconsciously reach for your phone to start browsing the internet.

#Nytimes news quiz reddit how to#

With the right systems and a bit of effort, you too can learn how to stop wasting time on Reddit. I’m here to tell you, however, that it can still be tamed. I had managed to curb my addiction to other social media sites like Instagram, but Reddit was a stubborn beast. I was doing all this reading, convincing myself I was learning and improving myself when in reality it was going in one ear and straight out the other.

#Nytimes news quiz reddit pro#

I’d spend hours scrolling through the front page looking at memes, gifs, reading countless life pro tips, and even watching porn.Īnd yet, I don’t think I could recall a single piece of advice I’d read on Reddit. I learned how to use it, got on board with the Reddit sense of humour, and followed all the subreddits I could think of, including /r/StopGaming I Was Hookedįor me, wasting time on Reddit was almost worse than being addicted to video games. Then, roughly 2 years ago, I decided to really give it a go. It was poorly designed, didn’t make any sense, and was just boring. Step-by-step guide to stop wasting time on Reddit:įor the longest time I despised Reddit.