Something I did several months ago to try to regain more control over my time was to add friction to my experience of watching YouTube videos. I removed the YouTube app from both my phone and my television. I also installed a desktop extension so that I no longer see recommended videos. I only see the channels to which I’m subscribed and if I want to watch something else I have to type it in the search bar. Those things may seem silly, but they helped me cut down massively on the time I spend mindlessly watching videos.

This weekend, I was in a location with the YouTube app installed on the TV. It offered a great reminder of why I deleted the app from both the TV in my apartment and from my phone. On both Saturday and Sunday, I spent way too much time watching I don’t remember what travel or urban planning or whatever other video I picked to watch. This only added to the malaise I’ve been feeling, which was the last thing I needed. At least I’ve returned to a place without that particular black hole so I can start building again. We also now have enough work to let me feel productive most days, so I will lean into that and regain some solidity.