Shall I block websites with uMatrix? Shall I work more on awareness?

[CreamCat]

I blocked youtube, google, and various other websites with uMatrix. It usually takes 10~20 clicks to unblock them temporarily.

I set it up to make me think twice before I access the addictive parts of the internet.

However, blocking doesn't increase awareness meaningfully. It seems blocking websites is not helpful without awareness.

If you already have awareness, uMatrix can help you avoid being sucked into distractions accidentally. However, most distractions are not accidental if my awareness is low.

Edited October 2, 2018 by CreamCat

[Joseph Maynor]

Good job.  I did that myself about a year ago.  I use a different blocker  though.  You’re doing the right thing.  The Internet is a distraction machine.  Ditto for YouTube.  Ditto for Infotainment and News websites.  I’ll take a note to check out uMatrix.  Thanks for the recommendation.

Edited October 2, 2018 by Joseph Maynor

[CreamCat]

@Joseph Maynor What do you use for blocking websites? On web browsers that don't support WebExtensions, I can't use uMatrix.

[Shin]

You can't really block anything, it may take 19 more clicks, but you still can do it Don't you ?

Same with if you delete and block an ex on your phone, you can still go to her house, ask friends about her Numbers back etc ...

The only real way is to get rid of the desire to distract yourself, you'll only be able to do that by raising your consciousness.

@CreamCat I wasn't saying not to do it, that's actually a good thing.

Edited October 2, 2018 by Shin

[CreamCat]

@Shin It is about putting some distance from distractions. If it takes 20 seconds to start something, I'm less likely to do it accidentally.

[Widdle Puppy]

I've tried it before but feel something inside me build up towards the inevitable explosion where I go to the website and then forget I even blocked it in the first place. It's really demoralizing honestly and haven't found out a way to remove many of the distractions in my life.

[Sahil Pandit]

@Joseph Maynor What did you put in place of your distractions mentioned here?

[Strikr]

On 02/10/2018 at 2:28 PM, Shin said:

You can't really block anything, it may take 19 more clicks, but you still can do it Don't you ?

Same with if you delete and block an ex on your phone, you can still go to her house, ask friends about her Numbers back etc ...

The only real way is to get rid of the desire to distract yourself, you'll only be able to do that by raising your consciousness.

@CreamCat I wasn't saying not to do it, that's actually a good thing.

lol he can put many wall around him, there is none or there is many, it's all dependent of his mind, it has no effect to have a "blocker", just control your mind ( yep it's very difficult work depending where you are )

I didn't used youtube ( or even internet ) for days when I was on my computer doing music even with plenty of internet at hand, it's not because you punish yourself that you'll control yourself

Edited October 4, 2018 by Strikr