A little thank you piece for my patron nii for their patience and understanding through their wait for their commissions! I'm finally done with it, and even though the delays were for reasons outside of my control, I like to do a little something to thank those who are patient with me <3
been meaning to port my BlueSky extension recommendation thread™ over here, so here we go:
All The Stuff I Use That Kinda Help Me Cut Out Distractions And Other Similar Miserable Shit Like Doomscrolling™: The Post!
Extensions
(MOST of these links are Firefox extensions, mostly because I like using them on mobile too, but you can probably find some Chrome links if you look hard enough.)
Wanna re-direct certain URLs elsewhere? Try Redirector! Better if you know Regex, but its pretty simple to set up redirects without it.
Want to block a URL, Domain or even a keyword? Try (the appropriately named) Block URLs, Domains or Keywords! I've only really used this for one URL, and it at least works on that. It's a simpler version of Redirector if you just want to outright block certain websites. As a plus, it can detect keywords in the URL or tab title and block that way too.
Want to block ads? Try (and KEEP) uBlock Origin! Seriously you should just have this. Please. Please.
Want to block ads (but more evil)? Try AdNauseam! This extensions simulates clicks to ads and messes with advertisers' data on you. Not super necessary, but might interest some of you. Not compatible with uBlock because it IS uBlock, just with some extra features built on top. They also have a website.
Still using Twitter? Try Control Panel for Twitter! Gives you complete control over what you see on the site, such as hiding certain features or even just getting rid of everybody who subscribes their subscription. You can also bring back the twitter branding. Lots of features that would be too long to list here.
Want to avoid Twitter? Try ToXCancel! Blocks the actual Twitter website, without making links inaccessible. XCancel lets you view any links sent to you without having to deal with the hell that is Twitter while logged out.
Want more control over your YouTube experience? Try RYS - Remove YouTube Suggestions! So, so many features. I mostly use it to get rid of the algorithmic stuff, but there's just a lot of things it can do that would take too long to list here.
Want to block a specific channel from your YouTube searches/recommendeds? Try Channel Blocker! Does exactly as described. Even adds a quick, convenient 'x' button for blocking folks on the go. I wish YouTube just HAD this as a feature.
Want to control how much time you spend on websites? Try LeechBlock NG! I discovered this extension just today and I can't get over how expansive it is. Be wary if you're overwhelmed by lots of customizability, because it has a LOT, but its VERY cool! It can support pretty any division of time you can think of - 5 minutes every hour, 20 minutes every 3 hours but only 9am to 6pm... that sort of thing. If I start talking about this extension this post will get much longer so just explore it ya self.
Apps
(i'm a bit iffy recommending these, use at your own risk. i can't speak for their safety but I haven't encountered any issues personally) (ALSO: android only. sorry I don't have an iphone :( )
Want more control over your Instagram experience on mobile? Try Distraction Free Instagram! No more reels...
Want more control over your YouTube experience on mobile? Try NewPipe! I mostly use this because I wanted a mobile YouTube client that could play background audio and such, but didn't want to have recommendations. Not for everybody, can be a bit janky (and youtube kills it sometimes, making you update), but overall a nice app.
General Advice: A lot of Android phones have control over your screentime built in. Look up "Digital Wellbeing" in settings - it should be around there.
I'll probably update this post as I find more things but This Is All I Got™ hope it helps somebody
If you're looking to cut out distractions or social media usage or anything similar PLEASE take it slow. If you do everything at once, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and then stop trying entirely. If you're pissed off enough by the internet to do it, do it, but just be wary! Also, these things may have worked for me but they may be missing something YOU need or may not work for you - don't take this as gospel, but do take some stuff from here and try em if they happen to help you.
anyway it doesn't fit in this post but shoutout to indie wiki buddy go download that if you HATE fandom wikis
Doomscrolling sucks. Kill it. Do something you love. end post.
