Totally agree on the bit about YouTube and Netflix shows. I've turned off search history on YouTube, so it doesn't recommend videos anymore. I plan my day in advance, so I don't watch a lot of Netflix anymore.
HARD RELATE. Both to the adult struggle and to the anxiety about what the future holds for children. Also, “Unfortunately, I’m not wired to partake in just a little of anything. It’s either all in, or stay the fuck away.” Yup. Thank you for writing this.
Can relate Nitesh. I haven't had addiction issues. But, I can see the signals. Especially when you mentioned "Unfortunately, I’m not wired to partake in just a little of anything. It’s either all in, or stay the fuck away.” This is the reason I stay away from series, with OTT everything is available at our fingertips and everyone is recommending something or the other. Same with sugar, it takes all of one's willpower to keep it away. All the mind craves is for fatty and sugary food. Am I glad that the boys are grown and I don't have the responsibility of keeping them away from their screens.
Good work on quitting. All the best for continued success. As you rightly mentioned, stay vigilant.
This is written so so well. Sharing widely with friends who have young children. And my sugar cravings are bordering on addiction! Or perhaps it is ok in the 6th decade.
I can relate to everything that you said here, Nitesh. I have had similar battles with addiction and every word you said was like a truth bomb (Some of which I am still not recovered enough to accept).
Very well written @Nitesh. I wa a smoker for even years. After a lot of foakes attempts I quit cold turkey using the book Alan's easy way to stop smoking. Having been on digital watch since for not just nicotine, but all sorts of addiction, especially the non-obvious ones like internet. Have a babay daughter and the cocomelon part scared me. But overall a great post and disagree with your last line. I think this is a happy post for accepting that your are an addict is the first step of recovery.
Loved this piece, Nitesh! It’s so relatable as someone who’s drug of choice is carbs. I’m on the 1 millionth attempt to go off this. Thats only a slighe exaggeration on the number of times I’ve tried to detox my self just this year. Fond memories of when i was successful for two whole years keep me trying repeatedly. Hope next time is ‘the’ time that the habit finally takes!
Hi Nitesh. This is an excellent and highly relatable post. It's great that you have a way to identify the patterns of addiction and have taken appropriate action which in turn has helped you and your daughter.
I think one of the worst new age addictions are social media short form videos aka reels/shorts. As you've mentioned, once you get hooked it's difficult to separate from it. This is something I myself am struggling with.
This is such a good piece! I stay away from web series by and large purely because of this. Before you know it the bulk of the day is over and you have done shitall! Haven't watched any of the big series because I know I will be entrapped for ever. All I watch are occassional movies, documentaries and those Agatha Christie kind of mystery series set in a slower world. My brain can handle that. Am sharing this post with my brother and sis-in-law who have a 4 year old at home.
Hi my name is Mahima and I am an addict. Of pretty much everything in this post - except smoking, the one saving grace. I do not have a happier note to offer either, so I will share this horror story instead and hope that all parents remind ourselves of it everyday: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/03/teen-childhood-smartphone-use-mental-health-effects/677722/
Totally agree on the bit about YouTube and Netflix shows. I've turned off search history on YouTube, so it doesn't recommend videos anymore. I plan my day in advance, so I don't watch a lot of Netflix anymore.
HARD RELATE. Both to the adult struggle and to the anxiety about what the future holds for children. Also, “Unfortunately, I’m not wired to partake in just a little of anything. It’s either all in, or stay the fuck away.” Yup. Thank you for writing this.
Can relate Nitesh. I haven't had addiction issues. But, I can see the signals. Especially when you mentioned "Unfortunately, I’m not wired to partake in just a little of anything. It’s either all in, or stay the fuck away.” This is the reason I stay away from series, with OTT everything is available at our fingertips and everyone is recommending something or the other. Same with sugar, it takes all of one's willpower to keep it away. All the mind craves is for fatty and sugary food. Am I glad that the boys are grown and I don't have the responsibility of keeping them away from their screens.
Good work on quitting. All the best for continued success. As you rightly mentioned, stay vigilant.
This is written so so well. Sharing widely with friends who have young children. And my sugar cravings are bordering on addiction! Or perhaps it is ok in the 6th decade.
I can relate to everything that you said here, Nitesh. I have had similar battles with addiction and every word you said was like a truth bomb (Some of which I am still not recovered enough to accept).
Such a brilliant piece. Keep writing. Thank you.
Very well written @Nitesh. I wa a smoker for even years. After a lot of foakes attempts I quit cold turkey using the book Alan's easy way to stop smoking. Having been on digital watch since for not just nicotine, but all sorts of addiction, especially the non-obvious ones like internet. Have a babay daughter and the cocomelon part scared me. But overall a great post and disagree with your last line. I think this is a happy post for accepting that your are an addict is the first step of recovery.
Loved this piece, Nitesh! It’s so relatable as someone who’s drug of choice is carbs. I’m on the 1 millionth attempt to go off this. Thats only a slighe exaggeration on the number of times I’ve tried to detox my self just this year. Fond memories of when i was successful for two whole years keep me trying repeatedly. Hope next time is ‘the’ time that the habit finally takes!
Hard relate, Nitesh.
As a mother, reels are my biggest challenge. There is a reverse challenge built in here where I myself can’t watch anything if my kids are around. 😂
But, brilliant piece. Thanks for writing.
Hi Nitesh. This is an excellent and highly relatable post. It's great that you have a way to identify the patterns of addiction and have taken appropriate action which in turn has helped you and your daughter.
I think one of the worst new age addictions are social media short form videos aka reels/shorts. As you've mentioned, once you get hooked it's difficult to separate from it. This is something I myself am struggling with.
This is such a good piece! I stay away from web series by and large purely because of this. Before you know it the bulk of the day is over and you have done shitall! Haven't watched any of the big series because I know I will be entrapped for ever. All I watch are occassional movies, documentaries and those Agatha Christie kind of mystery series set in a slower world. My brain can handle that. Am sharing this post with my brother and sis-in-law who have a 4 year old at home.
Too bloody good, man. Lovely.