Enslaved by Screens, Isolated by Entertainment

Why do I have such a hard time with follow-through? My fourth post and I just want to quit this blog. I just want to stop and waste time on other things on my lunch break. The internet is a wonderful place, but isn't it sending us into more isolation than ever before? I know you've probably heard that a million times from articles, friends, 'scientists', researchers. Experiencing it makes it real. Coupled with the constantly-busy America we live in, it's tough to have a real conversation these days. I'm thankful at least part of my childhood wasn't spent in front of a computer, TV, tablet, or smartphone screen. The outdoors are incomparable, bringing clarity and refreshment to our lives. The people we're missing out on talking to because we're glued to our phones can bring true joy, satisfaction, and interest into our lives with just a little investment.

But that's the problem - there's such a low bar-to-entry for finding diminishingly temporary satisfaction when playing video games, watching TV shows, finding a new YouTube channel, or answering questions on r/AskReddit. The more time I spend doing these things, the more irritable I become because I know it was a waste of time and I could've been doing so many other, better things. I remember not being a stickler about my time. Now I want every free moment I have to be in front of a screen.

Ah! When will I regain control of my life? When will these endless sources of entertainment stop controlling and enslaving my every moment? Even at work, I'm tempted to check Facebook or my personal email more often than I'd like. I'm addicted.

I don't have a solution right now other than seriously limiting my time in front of a screen - but how? 40 hours a week, my job is spent in front of a computer. All I want to do when I get home is decompress in front of a screen from the comfort of my couch. I don't do anything active and yet my body always hurts. I even have a group of friends over every Tuesday night to keep my social life alive. And yet, it doesn't satisfy either.

If you have any solutions or thoughts on this, please leave a comment. I feel stuck and need your help.