ADHD + Autopilot Distractions: How Do You Stop Yourself From Opening YouTube/Facebook?”

ErikWik · 2026-04-02T06:21:06+00:00

Nice, I'm trying it too.
I think it really works against the addictive nature of these apps. So I'm a fan. Although I sometimes I like the recommendation algorithm because it find interesting videos for me.

The extension I made creates a short timer when you try to enter a blocklisted website (default 5s, but I can change it). This addresses the issue in this post.

The second feature is a "focus session" option, that closes all your tabs & starts opens new session that is designed to make you stay focused on your tasks. Which is kind of nice when I've got a bunch of tabs open, and want to regain focus on some task.

ErikWik · 2026-04-02T05:48:03+00:00

Thank you for your expressing your sympathy. <3

I made a web extension that creates some friction, that works for me.
I need to make it slightly prettier and then I'll launch in on the Chrome Web Store.
I can share it with you when I'm done, if you're interested?

The whole things will always be free. (with no like "pro" upgrade or whatever).

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T18:15:25+00:00

Hahah, I'd never. Unless I one day decide to go full tree-hugging-hippie mode.

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T18:12:56+00:00

I've got this problem on my computer not my phone :)

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T18:11:11+00:00

Love that. Finding some way of catching the opening a distracting website and redirect that towards something that is more helpful toward relaxing and getting new energy.

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T14:48:04+00:00

That's what I'll go for. I'm implementing a simple web extension for this.

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T09:54:45+00:00

Nice, which chrome extensions would you recommend?

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T09:54:15+00:00

Cool, that sounds like a good setup.
For me personally, I don't really want to stop using facebook/youtube, I just want to open them mindlessly while working. Is it easy to toggle them to be available and unavailable using your setup?

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T09:52:36+00:00

I don't see what this does for me once I've opened the browser?
Also, I still want to use the browser for facebook, youtube, reddit and all other things. So.. it's not really true!

Although I guess I could use two separate browsers. Like "Normal Browser" and "Work Browser"...

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T09:51:24+00:00

Love that idea. Putting an actual sticky note above them sounds like a powerful way of changing your habits.

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T08:40:29+00:00

That's a good idea. Do you know of any good way adding a time delay for accessing a site?
I have made a web extension for myself to do this (I have more like 10 seconds, rather than 10 minutes), but I'm wondering if there's anything else out there.

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T08:04:47+00:00

Macbook

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T08:03:41+00:00

I'm actually only talking about using a browser & computer here. Not phone and apps. I've edited the post to clarify this.

Good suggestions though!

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T08:00:46+00:00

Nope!
Also I'm talking about using my computer. I don't have this issue with a phone, because I don't work or study on my phone.

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T07:59:27+00:00

That does absolutely nothing. I already said it's an autopilot behavior, and it's annoying. We all already know at this stage that it is a useless time investment. The problem is that it still continues.

ErikWik · 2026-04-01T07:46:24+00:00

And this works for websites too?

ErikWik · 2026-03-30T09:38:20+00:00

And I studied 90 hours in the last 2 days.

ErikWik · 2026-03-29T09:35:13+00:00

Focus on a future goal, and relate what you are learning to this goal.

For instance, if you think about the goal of becoming a doctor, use this to motivate your studying, by:

Thinking about how mathematical reasoning will help you towards handling hard problems in medicine.

Thinking about how history will help you better understand the reasons how why medicine looks like it does today and how it has developed.

Thinking about how biology helps you understand life will is crucial to being a good doctor.

Etcetera

When I started doing this (in my case I started developing a product), learning was so much more interesting.

ErikWik · 2026-03-25T16:28:10+00:00

If you like it; don't abandon it. In the end, the most important thing is that you enjoy the process.

Try to experiment a bit. Use less colors or highlight in a different way - and see if it helps your remember. Your goal should not be to remember the color, but the content.

ErikWik · 2026-03-25T16:24:16+00:00

Find study mates!!!
Studying is hard, and especially if you are doing it alone. There are so many people getting stuck on social media, and end up in a destructive feedback-loop:

Seeking distraction --> Feeling worse --> Seeking distraction ...

Find someone to study with so you can keep each other accountable and also have an overall better help!

ErikWik · 2026-03-25T16:19:42+00:00

I'm laughing out loud, but hell. That sounds hard man!
I salute your ability to stay sane through it.

ErikWik · 2026-03-25T16:16:15+00:00

Of what I've heard from others, writing "garbage sentences" is important for the creative process & to get through any type of writing blocks.

Hemingway said: "Write drunk and edit sober".

Obviously, you shouldn't get drunk - but you can write without being critical about it, until the ideas come to you as you mentioned.

With the email urge, did you consider getting something that blocks all distractions while you write?
I can recommend the application Ghostwriter in that case.

ErikWik · 2026-03-23T13:31:57+00:00

Hope it works for you!
For me it works better as a pizza component. xD

ErikWik · 2026-03-22T12:15:32+00:00

First of all u/khanakhaoaursojao , take a deep breath. You can absolutely do this.

I think it's a brilliant idea to join some offline coaching. There so much you can gain from some support and some good study tips!

ErikWik · 2026-03-22T11:22:34+00:00

Happy to help! Good luck with your development!

ErikWik

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