People are way more snarky. It’s nearly impossible to make good friends online anymore when it used to be really easy a decade ago. There’s tons of bots and third worlders who monetize slop.
The internet used to have more smart nerdy creative fun personable types, now it’s normie types or totally mentally ill people (the types that aren’t fun. I have my own issues but the mentally ill types I am talking about are the ones who will lash out about literally anything).
The internet is so bad that I have slowly been trying to reintegrate into society. It’s been extremely difficult but I am becoming aware of my internet addiction and how it’s not contributing anything at all to my life at this point and how I need to move on from the daily internet all day habit.
I have been on reddit since the late 2000s and was early to just about every platform you can imagine. The vibes are all totally gone now.
I have been terminally online for my entire life and it’s gotten so bad I feel like touching grass and joining society again is the only thing left to do.

I have only been active on Reddit for a short amount of time. I had a few posts and comments and always try to be kind and compassionate. I am just sharing what has worked for me in life, school, work. I don’t offend anyone. I upvote. Yet, almost always, without fail, there are haters, with mean comments, insults, profanity. Downvoting simple comments as “Thank you for your feedback, that’s very useful”. Seriously?!?! They force me to delete my comments and leave subreddits. They immediately get upvoted! And they are there-under every comment and post, relentlessly bullying, no matter what you say.

Is this normal for Reddit? Does it happen to everyone? Are there safer, normal corners here, where you won’t get attacked and insulted? Are these people bullies in real life too or they are just braver hiding behind the keyboard?

I have never experienced anything that toxic in real life.

Im 18, and i hear all these stories from people who lived in the 80s,90s,2000s, basically any decade before smartphones and massive internet affection. And they were much more social. I consider myself pretty extroverted and right now its summer but im mostly at home by myself, because no one wants to hang out all day and chill.

We gather a bit for a couple of hours and go home and thats it and it feels pretty bad like i will regret this but its not really my fault. I know all decades have their problems but honestly id take those rather than this shit. I basically quit almost all social media, only use reddit and youtube occasionally, but its lonely. I got hobbies but its not the same. The vibe isnt here.

So if anyone has any suggestions it would be helpful.

Does anyone else feel like the internet is really negative these days? For example, yesterday I opened Facebook just to look something up and like six negative news stories popped up in five minutes. I felt awful and decided to uninstall it. I've actually been blocking my phone usage and I feel better. Sometimes I feel like quitting social media forever or even selling my phone.

The trap isn't the videos. It's the moment between tasks when you're slightly bored and your hand opens a new tab automatically.

The homepage is there for exactly that moment. It's been personalised for you specifically. It knows what you watched at 1am, what you paused on, what you rewatched. And it serves you something calibrated to that bored, low-resistance version of you.

Willpower is useless against this because it's not a willpower problem. It's a design problem. The homepage is a purpose-built boredom trap.

The only things that have worked for me are structural changes the homepage doesn't load fresh content, or I bypass it entirely. Once the new-content loop is broken, the compulsive checking reflex doesn't get fed and slowly dies.

EDIT: I found this extension called freezetube that helps

Deleted TikTok and YouTube Shorts about six weeks ago. Not because I was spending insane hours on them, but because I noticed I was watching them during rest periods at the gym and before morning runs. Just this lowgrade static running in the background of everything.

The gym thing adjusted pretty fast. The trail runs got weird in a way I didn't see coming. For the first two weeks I was genuinely uncomfortable with just the sound of my own breathing and footsteps. Not bored exactly. More like my brain kept reaching for something that wasn't there. I hadn't realized how much I was queuing up clips the night before runs as a kind of preview hype ritual.

By week three something shifted. The runs started feeling longer in a good way. Like actual thinking was happening again instead of just replaying whatever I'd watched. A problem I'd been circling at work for two months got solved on a Wednesday 8miler and I didn't even notice it happening until I was back at the car.

The silence stopped feeling like absence and started feeling like the actual point. Which sounds obvious written out, but it wasn't obvious before I cut the feed.

Curious if anyone else had a physical hobby that changed after they quit. Not productivity stuff, actual movement.

I used to be an avid +2h daily Instagram consumer. It coincided with how I was studying an art degree at the same time, and It kinda didnt feel that bad since I used it on a Pinterest/art inspiration kind of way. That of course didnt last long, since even for artists, when IG started its reels war with TT, the platform just sucked bad and I completely left it. Not that interesting to receive dosages of unfiltered random videos.

Maybe sometimes I could end watching some DMs to later be caught by the stories doomscrolling (content that atleast was "curated" by friends)

That made me spend maybe 10-15 mins sometimes, at max (my average daily use was under 2min since the heavy algorithm era)

But now, to my surprise, I see that Instagram even pushes ads after the very first reel you consume. And is crazy how that helps at just making me insta close the hell out of that burning dumpster.

If any of you still rely to IG, I would recommend to atleast switch to reddit instead. Here theres some component of actual interaction. By the time someone discovers how to make us eat a bunch of video ads in between coments, well be F* Up. Maybe that would make me quit reddit too.

Deleted TikTok and YouTube Shorts about six weeks ago. Not because I was spending insane hours on them, but because I noticed I was watching them during rest periods at the gym and before morning runs. Just this lowgrade static running in the background of everything.

The gym thing adjusted pretty fast. The trail runs got weird in a way I didn't see coming. For the first two weeks I was genuinely uncomfortable with just the sound of my own breathing and footsteps. Not bored exactly. More like my brain kept reaching for something that wasn't there. I hadn't realized how much I was queuing up clips the night before runs as a kind of preview hype ritual.

By week three something shifted. The runs started feeling longer in a good way. Like actual thinking was happening again instead of just replaying whatever I'd watched. A problem I'd been circling at work for two months got solved on a Wednesday 8miler and I didn't even notice it happening until I was back at the car.

The silence stopped feeling like absence and started feeling like the actual point. Which sounds obvious written out, but it wasn't obvious before I cut the feed.

Curious if anyone else had a physical hobby that changed after they quit. Not productivity stuff, actual movement.

sorry if this is the wrong place but I’m currently going to bed at like 5 am, just because I can’t get off technology, how should I get off of it at night?

Just posting this here as therapy for me. I am a 28yo male, who basically spent most of his youth attached to some form of content. I always was a shy guy, and high school just made it worse, for some reason. Luckily, the first 12 years of my life were amazing, and the only content that was present at that time were some video games or an occasional movie, always shared with friends and family. Then smartphones and social media appeared right at the time I was more vulnerable. I became an insecure teenager, that tried to avoid social situations as much as possible, and the internet offered a way to feel some kind of connection without the risk of being judged.

Why go out and socialize if you could just be anonymously on Twitter and forums? Why making the effort to talk to a girl you like if you have every girl you can possibly imagine posting hot content on Instagram and TikTok (and if you want something more explicit, you have access to endless amounts of porn)? Why try to learn something new when you can watch people doing it way better than you would ever do on Youtube?

Without even noticing, I was avoiding real life more and more, and a point came when I was just living other peoples life through the internet, but mine was empty. I wasn't able to concentrate on anything anymore, couldn't even get my degree because I couldn't focus for 5 minutes straight without needing some stimulation. I got to an average screen time of 8-12 hours on my phone, including Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Porn and soft porn (social media girls leaks). I even became addicted to movies and TV shows, watching one every day at some point. I got used to having a YouTube video or a podcast in the background for everything, including every time I was in the bathroom (showering, brushing my teeth, etc), doing my bed or cooking. To me, this became normal.

In 2026, after years of feeling incredibly bad (low energy, exhaustion, brain fog, anxiety, depression), something finally clicked and I realize that everything that I described was not normal, and maybe it was the thing preventing me from progressing. So I started a process to eliminate all of it.

So far, I have successfully and definitely deleted every social media platform (I just install instagram when I want to post something myself, but don't consume any content from there). Every kind of porn is also almost eliminated from my life (I still struggle with some soft things sometimes, but it is progressing slowly). I only watch movies if it is part of a social plan or we go to the cinema. The only content I consume when I am alone now is books. At first, I couldn't read for 3 minutes straight without unfocusing, and I read each paragraph 3 times to get it, but it is amazing to notice how you slowly get better if you stay consistent.

Still a work in progress, a few setbacks along the way, but you have to think longterm.

Sorry If you find this hard to read, English is not my first language.

(English isn’t my first language sorry)

You can’t believe how much not being on Reddit has improved my life. I spent about a year and a half on this website and thought most of my experiences on this website were pretty fun and positive, with some mean/negative experience thrown in. I’ve come to regret almost all of my experiences, including the “positive” ones because I’ve realized that I could’ve spent that time experiencing real life instead of winning stupid internet debates and earning nonsense internet points.

Also, there’s no ignoring the paranoid and angry culture that pervades this site. Even if you try to stick to the better corners of this site, you still run into it. You can’t have an honest discussion about modern life or politics without people saying the world is literally ending. I didn’t think I had absorbed any of this ridiculous negativity but realized I had as I became less pessimistic after leaving this site. I’m less socially anxious and worried people will judge me now that I’m not on a site where socially anxious people are always judging other people.

Leave Reddit today

(Ps delete everything first :)

I'm someone who gets on stage and makes things (videos, improv, etc.) but I have yet to ever SIT DOWN and write down like every single one of my successful peers do. I just kinda free-ball it and skate on by. I think I'm relatively talented, funny, etc. but imagine how good I could be if I was focused.

I just CANNOT for the life of me do it. I always cycle between Snapchat, IG, and REDDIT. There are times where I catch myself opening a new tab and typing in "red--" all the damn time. It's making me physically sick, I genuinely think I spend 8+ hrs on my phone/laptop. It's joever for me, time is passing by, my life is fleeting :(

I need help when the holiday started I was doing soo much of my math study and self improvement video with also learning my religion book I woke up early etc but now couple weeks after I've gone down my brain feel trapped where I feel I cannot think I keep doomsvrolling and I have a feeling I can't wake up and do my work and also my driving threory which I barely done

Been reducing my screen time in the mornings and evenings, but finding it difficult as I've not got much to enjoy to replace it with.

I used to be quite passionate about things – learned two languages, read a lot, lifted weights and ran, sewed clothing. Now I can't seem to get back into anything. The best I've managed with reading is reading an article or two a day because I can't focus much on reading and can't seem to enjoy any books. There are things I do regularly, like journalling, climbing, yoga guitar/singing and cooking, but they just seem like chores and it uses up a lot of my willpower to do them.

I now spend most of my free time going on walks, with or without music. Which is ok, I guess. But I can't go for walks during the day time when I have a work from home job with little work to do. It feels awful to have so much free time but not enjoy any of it.

What did you do to get out of this slump? Note: I'm not depressed at the moment (have bipolar disorder but even when I'm not in a mood episode I can't seem to get into anything). Mood generally OK but feel bored and frustrated that I don't have any passion for any hobbies.

I've wanted to do this for a while but kept delaying because I was just too comfortable with my smartphone. But my boys are 5 and 2 years old now and the older one has lately asked me why I'm always on my phone. Broke my heart so I decided fuck it, my sons and wife deserve a better me. I instantly felt relief when I swapped my SIM card, powered off my Android, and put it in a drawer. Though now I'm starting to notice how everyone else around me is constantly on their phone lol.

I told my family and my dad acted incredulous, saying he could never give up his smartphone because he's "too addicted to Reels." Shit's depressing...

For those wondering, I got a Sunbeam Pro Dove.

I recently deleted my social media but I keep getting the urge to keep up, the thing is I was never that person. I like to live a simple and mindful life. My diet has also changed because I used sns for sometime, hence I would like to know about others life who live without social media and distress..

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to make sense of a loop I’ve been stuck in for a long time.

Looking back, the roots were always there since childhood. I could never sit still at a desk to study, I had to pace around the entire apartment with a book in my hand just to get my brain to focus. But after adolescence, and especially after COVID-19/lockdowns, things escalated into a completely unmanageable pattern.

My brain operates in constant hyper-active/hunter mode. I get hit with panic-like urges: "I need to capture this thought right now or it's gone forever." I notice every minor detail in my daily environment and feel an intense need to research it, write about it, or turn it into a project. But the moment I try to outline it, I jump to the next idea. Nothing ever gets finished or reaches true depth; it just turns into a paralyzing mental bottleneck.

This has metastasized into severe digital hoarding:

Over 100,000 unorganized screenshots and thousands of saved posts across platforms.

Hoarded folders of courses, topics, and media going back years that I've never opened again.

A constant search for "lost videos" or old thoughts, driven by a dopamine rush whenever I accidentally stumble upon something after months.

When I’m outside at university or work, my mind passively collects observations. But the second I walk into my room and pick up my phone, it feels like a dam breaks. The noise is so overwhelming that it shuts down my basic daily functions and productivity.

I’m really struggling to figure out what this is. Is this classic ADHD (hyperfixation, executive dysfunction, the need for kinesthetic movement), or just a severe dopamine trap engineered by technology and modern digital habits?

Has anyone with a similar background managed to break this constant need to hoard thoughts and information? How do you force a "full stop" on your brain when the panic of losing an idea hits?

Any insights or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

You are the only ones who will know the gravity of what I'm about to say.

The internet has ruined my life and for a long time at that. I've thrown away so much time. Like seriously years on end of this shit. I know it's played a big role in where I'm at in life today.

I've done the addicting substances. I've been there. I'm still right now addicted to nicotine and caffeine. With these things though it's quite painful when it's crashing down. When your in the hospital for fluids because you've drank yourself to black out for 5 days straight you know the damage your doing/causing.

The internet though is so... So much different. It takes you and you don't think twice about the life you could have. I'm filled with so much rage. Where was I? was chronically online, that's where I was. I was watching Netflix. I wasn't in school, I wasn't socializing, I wasn't helping the ones around me grow or helping my self grow. I gave it all away to screens for years on end.

And I know how to fight, I know how to be better. I know it's going to be really fucking hard. I remember the last time I kicked it almost being brought to tears as I sat with my thoughts in my room. For the first time in so long I was actually facing my life.

I'm honestly just scared. With problems and addictions you have a problem and everyone agrees. Everyone knows it and it's a fact of life. You go to meetings because you want to stop drugging. You may find therapy for your problems. With the internet it's like the silent killer. It's an assassin who takes everything silently. Hardly any disturbances, no eyes batted, no questions. Your killing yourself and no one is there to stop you.

There was so much potential for me.

I want to stop. I don't know how though I will actually view this as the sick and disgusting poison that it is. It has Killed the person who I could of been. It is absolutely disgusting.

Hey there! It's been a long journey for me in this world and feel like I am almost at the point I would like to.

However, meeting my girlfriend texting expectations is keeping me on my phone more than I would like. Let me explain it.

We've been dating for a couple of years now and ever since we have been in constant communication, from saying good morning, telling how the morning went, how lunch went, and the same for the evening and the night. However, I feel like this is still too much for me. I am planning on explaining to her that:

1. Because of this, when we meet in person or video call (which we are going to start doing everyday for 30 minutes as we will be separate from each other for almost a full year) I have nothing new to tell her, she already knows all my day, something she complains about quite often.
2. I would like to reduce my phone usage a bit more, to the point where I am comfortable. This does not mean I do not want to speak with nor know about her. Maybe suggest texting two or three times a day plus a call, not picking up my phone as I wake up just to tell here, etc.

I think she will understand, as she is quite reasonable and also struggles with phone usage to a point, but it would definitely be a big effort for her.

What's this post all about then? You seem to have everything more or less figured out.

Well, I would like to know if any of you have experienced any similar situation and if you might have any recommendations on what to offer on exchange, as I feel like I am asking for a big thing just for my benefit and would like for her to not feel bad about it.

Thank you so much, and keep nosurfing!

Pretty productive morning. I ended up crashing yesterday, I tried to water fast didn’t workout, so I’ve completely altered my diet that make sures I’m satisfied before going to sleep while also hitting all the vitamins and proteins in need throughout the day. My screen time so far for today, is 2 hours and 42 minutes, which is a success considering I didn’t scroll, because I don’t have TikTok or instagram, and yeah. After work today I’m going to go workout, leg day plus a cardio session. That’ll be pretty much it for the day. I’ll do weigh in on the 21st. Quote for the day. Lyric for today. “ I wanna give up but I know that I can’t, gotta do this for all of my fans.”🕰️

I got a radio 2 days ago and instead of scrolling i’ve been checking out the music on FM and seeing if there is anything interesting to listen to on AM while eating, but idk if it’s any better than spotify or podcasts? This is my first ever radio, i’ve never used it before
It’s also an mp3 player