this post was submitted on 04 Jun 2026
265 points (99.6% liked)
me_irl
7827 readers
2887 users here now
All posts need to have the same title: me_irl it is allowed to use an emoji instead of the underscore _
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
I don't know how these two ended up as the Executive Function Twins™ but I'm here for it.
It's funny how these small barriers that create just a bit of extra friction can be enough. The way I keep myself from eating all the leftover Halloween candy? It goes in a box downstairs, and it's taped shut. Out of sight, and the thought of breaking the tape makes it harder to just sneak a handful here and there.
Same goes for things you want to do more of; make it as frictionless as possible and you'll see higher success.
Same goes for things you want to do more of; make it as frictionless as possible and you'll see higher success.
That's how I got back into workout routine. I come home from work and then get ready to go to the gym. Change clothes, get my water, stage my air buds, and make it as easy as possible. Sometimes I sit around for an hour or 2 before heading out, but as soon as I start thinking about it I go.
And then the timer killed itself
Boner—- yeah, honey, tell me about Bakelite, the bauhaus, and 1932
The future fucking sucks
Amazing
I limit my doomscrolling by using lemmy. After about an hour I hit the dregs of my “Top of last 12h” window, and there’s no reason to continue. Then, I am free.
there are timers that don't allow that. example: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teqtic.lockmeout
A user motivated enough will get around all of that
yeah, they can reset their phone etc, but it's a ban you impose on yourself and making it sufficiently difficult is enough to regain ones discipline
The moral of the original book is that the tricks and tools are not a replacement for self control. It's humbling that a literal children's book can (re)teach us profound things. And to me, it's comforting to know that a child's fresh mind is infinitely better at things so many of us struggle with (e.g., a phoneless child isn't addicted to screens, a newborn can become a vegan as easily as an omnivore)
"Alright, that was our last game," said Frog.
"Now let's play one VERY last game," said Toad.