Section 1.1: Disable Your YouTube Watch History

YouTube’s algorithm has a knack for knowing what you enjoy. It analyzes your watch history to understand your preferences, serving you more of the content you find enjoyable on your homepage.

This personalized content can be quite harmful. Why? Because it’s engineered to entice you into clicking. A seemingly innocent three-minute video can easily spiral into a two-hour binge, which we often claim happened unintentionally.

The truth is, the issue isn’t a lack of self-control; it’s about the choices you allow yourself. By providing your brain with the chance to choose something enticing—like a funny cat video—you’re likely to give in.

To regain control, consider deleting and disabling your YouTube watch history. This action will prevent the algorithm from learning your viewing habits, thus stopping it from delivering tailored content that hooks you in.

Note: Be prepared for a less exciting YouTube experience, but this is crucial if you're serious about overcoming your addiction. Your suggested videos may become unappealing, akin to sifting through a collection of poorly-rated films on Netflix.

Initially, I found deleting my watch history shocking, but eventually, it felt liberating. It curtailed the algorithm's ability to present "potentially" interesting videos, breaking the cycle of addiction.

If you can avoid seeing enticing videos at all, you’ll find yourself less tempted to click, ultimately saving time. You might even think, “Oh, there’s nothing worth watching.” And that’s beneficial because we don’t invest time in things that bore us.

So, take the leap—delete and disable your YouTube history.

P.S. If you're logged out of YouTube, the algorithm still tracks your local viewing habits, so remember to clear your browser cookies periodically.

"You only struggle because you're ready to grow but aren't willing to let go." — Drew Gerald

Section 1.2: Utilize Browser Extensions to Simplify YouTube

Using the DF Tube extension can transform your YouTube experience by allowing you to remove distracting features like the home feed, related videos, and comments.

This is how YouTube can appear with the DF Tube extension activated. Notice how serene it looks? No videos in sight—just peace and no distractions.

Section 1.3: Employ an App Blocker to Restrict YouTube Access

One of the simplest methods to curb your habits is to eliminate the option altogether. Here’s what I did: I downloaded an app blocker, opted for the premium version, and enforced a strict ban on both the YouTube app and the mobile site.

Initially, this felt daunting, but over time, I adapted. It’s similar to when your phone runs out of battery—you cannot do anything about it and eventually accept the situation.

P.S. Merely deleting the YouTube app won’t suffice, as you may reinstall it. Hiding the app in a folder is also ineffective when you face moments of weakness—especially with an addiction.

Follow these steps:

1. Get an app blocker; I recommend Stay Focused.
2. Set a daily limit for the YouTube app and mobile site to just one minute—rendering it practically unusable.
3. Activate strict mode to lock in these settings, and set the block to last until year-end. This will provide ample time for your mind to detach YouTube from being a source of entertainment.

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