Check out our sponsor Aura and get a 14-day free trial here: aura.com/leon As mentioned in the video, get the full guide to take control of your vices once and for all: thedrvn.co/access-os-guide Hope this is helpful!

I've wasted too much time on social media. And I know it's not the social media that keeps distracting me, but It's the overwhelming feeling that I have created toward my own goal. So I'll always find something to do except face my own target. You just have to put yourself in the right environment. Your mental health plays a major role! Stay safe!

1. Remove Temptations (Avoid/delete/remove all temptations if you can live without them) 2. Acountibility (Accept your failures and what you are missing out) 3. Impulse Control (practice saying no to your urges whenever you feel it) 4. Emotional Health (The most important. Why do you want it? to be happy? to find purpose? etc) That's my interpretation

Leon Hendrix has changed my life

Most of us watching this video are already aware of these tenets, but as you said creating a life we don't need to escape is the most challenging part. I had the best months of my life when i was living with 2 friends i wasn't leaving anytime soon, we were sharing daily life for almost 2 whole month and i was tempted of nothing, I was content... What i struggle the most since i cut ties with these old friends and that my others friends are either far away of not so available, is making new quality connexions. I can't get myslelf to go out alone at a festival, or bars or clubs to meet new people, it's just not who I am. I made a few online connexions which are great, but the distance and the language barrier just doesn't cut it. If anyone here is in a perpetual motion of trying to better himself, that has naturally alot of drive to create and discover new stuff, is a bit of a nerd and passionate about anything, that hold spirituality dear and can admire the world for how magic it is, feel free to reply to this comment if you're from France or you can talk french.. or even that you recognized yourself. Maybe this is here where it starts :) Thank you for reading, keep your head up !

Don't be so hard on yourself if you find yourself going back to your old habits. The important thing is to learn from it and start again on the right track. It's not how many times you get knocked down. It's how many times you get right back up and keep going.

Biggest issue Ive had with impulse control is the rebound effect. Couple days of killing it and then you reverse course hard and over indulge on whatever you were trying to cut down on in the first place. As weird as it is Ive found a more gradual approach works best. For every 3 impulse checks I have I let one fly. Not as great as letting none fly, but now a week later Im less likely to risk 8 impulses fly!

This video is 100% accurate and the chess analogy is on point. However, unfortunately, most of us start the chess match with only 10% of the pieces, and that makes it nearly impossible to win the game. I’d like to share something that really worked for me to overcome these compulsive behaviors. This is based on what I learned from our uncle Huberman, therapy and other sources. Due to our addictions, our baseline level of dopamine is very low. This makes our willpower to do things that require effort extremely weak, and our craving for more dopamine hits very strong. You may be able to do some of the crucial tasks proposed in this video, but you will likely end up falling back into old habits. So what can we do? This is key… The objective is to begin this chess match with 100% of the pieces, this means making sure one has normal levels of motivation and drive. To do so, my personal recipe is forcing yourself to stop spending this finite dopamine for a long enough period of time to allow your brain to recover the lost motivation (literally). My special recipe is: Spend 2 or 3 weeks (ideally 30 days, which is on average how much time it takes for what comes next) completely disconnected from everything that spikes your dopamine. Basically, identify what brings you pleasure or satisfies your basic needs at zero cost (without effort) and make sure you don’t have access to it in this journey. The simplest way is to go camping or something similar. Use this time to build new healthy habits and to plan a system for when you return to “normal life”. Your dopamine levels will be skyrocketing by the time you come back. You won’t believe how good you will start feeling (the drive is unmatched). And this will completely change the effectiveness of all the methods to change your habits. The difference is MASSIVE. PS: I have ADHD and I’ve tried everything, lost my mind a few times, nothing used to work. In the end I was missing the key ingredient, natural motivation. That’s why forcing myself to recover normal dopamine levels before actually trying to “fix” my horrible habits was the key to success. PS 2: Thanks Leon for sharing useful life hacks, you’re doing a good service to society.

I'm feeling like there's actually a lot people like me, like us, who are trying to escape this state of overconsuming and everything. I've been thinking for a while about this, and I want to ask you guys, have you ever shared this stuff? Like the troubles you have, trying to resist the temptations? To other people, like your friends and family? I'm saying that because I have not, and it's actually the first time I'm speaking about this, the fact that I spend way too much time on my phone, on my lap, playing video games, scrolling on social medias, etc... But I'm ashamed of it. I feel like I should talk about it, that it would be easier to finally make a change and improve, if I had someone trying to overcome the same things as me. But I don't know who, and I feel like I'm the only one realizing how much of a waste of time this shit is. I fear getting mocked or that the person won't understand or that he'd say "lmao just stop", as if it was so easy So whats your experience on this? Have you personnally tried talking about it? I'm very curious.

This was an incredible video! I've burnt myself out a few months ago and ever since then I've fallen into this deep hole of overconsumption. It's a way for me to escape the way I feel and to avoid thinking about all the things I need to fix. Emotional health really is the key component here! I need to start healing my inner self. Thank you so much for this - something just 'clicked' for me

We've known the evils of modern over abundance, great to see you come out with this video! I'm ready to take the next steps in retaking my life!!!

It definitely works. I decreased my "stimulation level" (no adult videos, less youtube, no fast food, no sugar, etc. just not too much of anything) and after just two weeks I made so many awesome social connections. It's incredible (I have social anxiety and depression so this is huge for me). I hope that in the future blocking apps will get better and better because it's so hard to block everything while still using devices for work - and it's so easy to find a workaround for these blocking apps.

Funny. As of late I've been feeling the EXACT same way. I don't use Social Media anymore, KZfaq is my heroin. Trying to stop KZfaq is waaaay harder than any of the other things. The problem with KZfaq is that I also use it to learn new things. Having KZfaq premium actually makes it worse, because I don't see shitty ads that would want to shut down the app. The only way I've been able to quit is this. I only use KZfaq on my tablet. I've deleted the KZfaq app from my phone.

That quote will forever be engraved in my brain: "Create a life you don't want to escape from."

Loved this SOOO Much. I can see you are getting better control over the perfectionism and the videos actually feel even better than before. Don't Stop keep going Leon.

Keep going with this Leon. Mentally, you’re on the right path and even though it’s in our nature to stare us blind on things that we already have, it’s good to take a moment to look at your age and the path you’ve already embarked. The mindset you’ve build is something that will stay with you the rest for your life and you’re still so young. We shouldn’t compare, but most people don’t even have this kind of knowledge at age 80.

I need this video so much its unreal, been thinking how to take back control and help me focus on what is important

I have been in the same situation as yours, THIS IS LITERALLY THE MOST RELATABLE AND MOST HELPUL VIDEO, I HAVE SEEN TO FIGHT AGAINST THESE VICES. KEEP IT UP LEON, you got a NEW SUBSCRIBER

Whenever I feel down or bad about something Loen has a video on that exact topic. You are truly one of a kind youtuber. All your videos are life changing.

Ugggghhhhh your story telling has gotten SO GOOD!!! Most helpful videos just state the solutions and that's it. You take us on the journey WITH you. For instance, Columbia!! You didn't need to include that at all but it made us feel so included in your journey. Well Done Leon

Another Amazing Video, This content is the best life-advice and most inspiring content I've ever watched, "Create a life You Don't Want to Escape From" Wow. I love how you've took such a difficult and complex topic and managed to make anyone who watches this video feel like they can get rid of all the negativity in their life and improve it no matter what. Everyone's life may have slightly differing goals wants and needs but this will definitely help pretty much anyone who chooses to listen to you. Thank you for doing what you do. Simply put you make me want to fix myself and improve my life in every way possible and to help others get where they also deserve to be in life. If we have enough people like you in the world it might just create a chain reaction of positive change. Keep pushing more content out, I hate this video had to end but i also look forward to seeing your next video as soon as it exists.

thankk uuu leon

Although I have tried to reduce the use of social media and youtube for years, I have the same problems and I cannot say that I have fully progressed. You're right, it's because I can only find people with ideals like me around here, and when I'm online, I'm not alone. But this gets wrong after a point, because you need to develop yourself and connect with people who are really focused on self-improvement. And the anxiety of the future also bothers people from time to time.

This is the BEST video i have ever watched on KZfaq, it answers many hard Qs , and i feel much much better knowing that i am not struggling with this alone

The solution to this problem is actually very simple. When you have an ambitious goal, you don't have to make an effort to not deal with all the time-wasting things. it happens spontaneously. What are you going to do with your extra time if you don't have a goal? Are you going to sit and watch the tree in your garden? Go find a purpose to devote your life to and everything will be fine on its own.

This is so true. When I am living with my family abroad we are all day laughing or outside. When I am living a life that Im not wanting or waiting due to a specific hard situation I distract my self with social media or food.

This was a great video to procrastinate with. You laid out fundamentals. And I actually never saw this as a war with a moving enemy. Thanks to you I can see my relationship with abundance more clearly. Alright. Got to get on with my day. Good luck

My fav video you did in a while Leon. I also liked that you confirmed the thumbnail in the first 5 seconds. Funny - I actually immediately recognized the Soul apartment (I stayed there for a few months). Hope you enjoyed Medellín bro.

leon bro, all i want to say man, is thanks bro, keep up the good work👊

I appreciate your videos man, helps when in difficult moments in life.

*"I should stop after this one"* is, is just exact. I am sort of words here. Just perfect, that's what happens. All emotions and experiences you've presented, represent the exact phenomena of my YT addiction. I am glad I've found this 🤗

I'm not gonna lie, the message that this content convey is exceptionally relatable to my personal self development journey. Essentially, it's our brain. Doesn't matter all the vices that we desperately try to renounce from- one way or another it'll find a way to do something fueled by compulsion or even as a reflex. The more we suppress a vice, the more taxing it morphs into. Ergo, goes the fact we are hardwired for pleasure.

Great video! Its the reminder I needed to work on my own vices and build my own system (I guess starting therapy as well haha). Looking forward to the next videos

Great video as always, really resonated with this one, I often struggle with this, and always the answer is to listen to myself and remind myself of the goals I have and get to work, and you get suck into the work you forget about the temptations, when you remind yourself to live life and enjoy real life and not get dopamine from the phone you realize you don't need it anymore. I also have control apps, but what my mentor said, if you can't control yourself you will find a way to break those, so what works the best is impulsive control like you told us, force yourself to not use the app, and after a while you will realize how dumb and how much time you wasted using those apps.

This video came to me in a time when I needed it the most. Thank you!

Wow this video is top quality. It deserves more views and likes in my opinion

thank you so much for this video, I Tthought I was the only one stuck in this loop but now I feel as a community we can grow past this because we actually located the enemy. Make a life that you don't want to escape from.

After multiple breakdowns yesterday I decided enough was enough and I’d uninstall all the social media apps. I kept KZfaq as I want to look up exercises and stuff… but here I am scrolling it on awakening like a coffee. However this video helped me as I’m going through the same thing. I hope to have my boredom back, my natural creativity, zest for life, etc.

Awesome video man: very relevant & the extra attention to editing doesn’t go unnoticed 🙏🏼👊🏼

Remove temptations- stop yourself from opening apps before you use them Accountability- ask your friends / family for support Impulse control- challenge yourself to resist your temptations (phone, games, movies). I heard about the “do nothing” method, where you cut out all distractions except for your responsibilities. This gives you 2 options, work on your stuff or do nothing. Emotional health- recognize that you are trying to escape from the real world and force yourself to live in it. Don’t replace social media with other dopamine fixes (like over eating for example). Once you start living your real life you’ll start to enjoy it and not want to escape Good luck whomever reads this. I’m writing this after spending 4 months of doing nothing but scrolling on tik tok. I wish I could get this time back :( But going forward is my only option so that’s what I’ll do

Awesome production bro, love your honesty, and found the video useful and applicable to me - thanks!!

Let’s go Leon!! I 100% needed this video

For the emotional health I’d recommend reading “Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents” by Lindsay C Gibson for those that don’t know about the link between childhood experiences and the need to escape, anxiety, depression and social issues. “Scattered Minds” by Gabor Mate compliments it pretty well by expanding on what’s mentioned in the book and providing the link to ADD, trauma and societal issues

this video is earth-shattering and brimming with knowledge! thanks, Leon :D also, it's so cool how you can hang with Nikilas

This came at the perfect timing!!!

Dude,the whole video is filled with truths! Loved it

I admire your drive and creativity 😮 Thanks man!

this is literally me my whole life. The timing of this video couldnt be better

This is one of the only video's that has deeply touched me. Thank you

Great vid. You're helping people live their best lives which I find very meaningful. Thanks for turning my life around.

I've always said it's important to "choose your addictions wisely" in life. Because if you're going through a really awful period, you are going to get addicted to something, and that's okay, just pick something not too harmful before you get addicted to it (TV's one of the better ones I think, but depends on the person), and balance that with healing and therapy and mindfulness, as you say at the end. It's important not to view wanting a distraction as a personal failure, or to be really hard on yourself for this sort of thing ❤

This is my all time new favorite channel on youtube. Keep up the good work. PS: have you considered going on a meditation retreat?

I interpret this as a self-worth issue at a fundamental level. I feel like I have to commit to myself and my purpose more defiantly than the world will generally accept me for in order to achieve the consistency that comes from discipline. I stopped trying to discipline myself when I learned that it was actually the result of committing myself to joy, peace and fulfilment. Then I use the resulting discipline to develop consistency and through that I can strive for excellence. The hardest part is actually commitment because you have to believe things about yourself that people and the world as it is don’t affirm about you just to get started and it’s an internal battle we all have to fight. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Great video. It just blew my mind a couple of times watching it and made me say to myself 'how did I not see that?'

Great video. Thanks Leon

One of your best ones thantk you!! I was able to relate to almost everything you mentioned...

Great video, Leon... the fight is real. We're simply not equipped to handle this crazy-ass world, and so much around is literally designed to have us become addicted to it. Tough, almost impossible to master. But messages like this matter because it (hopefully) helps some question "it".

always glad to see a new one from your channel

Great video Leon! I imagine your a Millennial like myself. I find it is this instant gratification culture we grew up in but it has gotten worse with the social media age. Looking at past achievements and watching Ali Abdaal has helped with his wisdom and book recommendations lol.

I am 1:30 into the video, and cant help myself but to thank you already. I was subconsciously begging for someone to make a video on this topic and save me out of Instagram and youtube rut

I relate to this so much. I think the main thing is accountability / removing temptations

Thank you Leon this video comes at the Perfect time

Such an insightful video on managing overstimulation! Your practical tips and strategies are incredibly valuable for regaining control and finding balance in today's fast-paced world. Thank you for sharing this important message! 🧘‍♂️

Pray brother God will make a way.

I shed a small tear at the end 🥲

The ending hit different! Great Video again Leon :)

I LOVE YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS 🥺❤

What. a. great. video! Thank you Leon!

Beautiful video, very well made. Resonated really well with it.

Thank you for providing this value 🥇

Thanks for your content Leon. Men in these times need to figure out how to get their loves together at allll costs. All the forces are against us.

I like it simpler. I just categorize stuff based on its impact on my dopamine and then strategically select what i want to indulge in. I'm planning ahead a boring day which i really look forward to everiday, because it gives me a calm and meditative feeling. So by knowing that i disrupt my meditative day with those triggers makes me very much aware of it which gives me great control.

Love the chess analogy through out this man, everything you just covered is exactly what I’ve been grappling with - thanks for sharing 💪

Thank you for grounding me back.

Great video buddy, thank you!

"Escaping emotional pain", that's absolutely true and it took me quite a while for me to understand that. A really good way of easying this is starting to be more gentle with yourself. If you push yourself too much, you're torturing yourself and not liking yourself. If you're pushing yourself to a really high and unhealthy level, it's probable that you're not doing it because you want it, but because of external pressures. Being in debt and having to pay for basic stuff is the only reasonable reason to push yourself hard to an unhealthy level, and that's where you have to learn to take things more lightly and not stress over anything. Stress is just there to stress you, it dosn't do any good, it's you torturing yourself again. It's all a cycle of stress that you take and create to yourself, that builds up and turn into emotional pain that you avoid, which translates to procrastination.

I think a lot of us grew up with some piece of technology as a friend (game console, computer, TV, etc). Our interactions with technology as adults are now totally engrained. I believe it's mechanical, our brains just function to perform optimally when interfacing with logical devices and not people. Escaping the matrix is way harder than it seems.

Wow, I watched this video, thank you for it!

A big THANK YOU for an amazing video!

WWWWOOOOOOWWWW WHAT AN EDIT BRO!!!!!! KEEP IT UP !! A RAISE TO THE EDITOR

This is exactrly what I needed, thank you.

I feel it so much! Thank you

Need that podcast with Niklas (great video btw)

I absolutely loved this intro Leon especially with the the falling Astronaut and I loved it so much in fact I would’ve liked to stay in it a bit longer lol 👌👌 (feel free to let moments like that roll for like 4-8 seconds I feel like that would be dope and keep it up your changing lives apparently 👍:)

Thank you!

Thank you so much for mentioning emotional health.

Thanks Leon🔥🔥🙏

Thank you so much for this. I appreciate you so much

Thanks Leon

I’ve never heard any other KZfaqr mention point 4. It’s one of those things that’s so true but so daunting to realize that nobody ever wants to acknowledge it.

The video we all needed

Second to none. Thank you for the great content

It is always a good day when Leon uploads.

Amazing video, deep thanks!

“I ate all of them, in one sitting, until I felt sick.” 🤣🤣🤣 I laughed so hard!

This was needed.

This is life changing stuff!

i needed that so much

I ❤ Leon fr inspiring

You are so good at making content keep up, love you from Iraq