Can you guys help me? 🙏🥹 So like I have these blocker apps I use (or plan to use) for self-control and productivity:

• Stay Focus app – This is the main app I’ve used for a while. I’ve had it for maybe about 2 years now, but I’ve mostly just been mindlessly using and bypassing the Random Text strict block option because I don’t feel comfortable hard blocking using the Expiration Time block option (wait until a specific date to unlock).

• Blocker app (recently developed app from r/Anki) – I just downloaded this recently for studying purposes.

• Lockey Note (the one besides Blocker) – This came along with the "Blocker" app, I think it's basically meant to store your "Blocker" password and should be managed by a friend to avoid bypassing the restriction (but I don't have that). 

It's password storing/hiding restriction is basically the same a Random Text to unlock, like in Stay Focus.

• BlockerX app (porn blocker) – Almost perfect, except it doesn’t have an app block timer like Stay Focus.

My problem mostly here comes from the first two apps (or maybe it's partly a mental health issue too). Both of them require a trusted accountability partner (friend or family member) to hold the password or QR code so the apps/blocks work together effectively:

The problem is that I don’t really have anyone I can ask for that. If I store the password or QR code in one of my secondary emails, I’ll probably easily bypass my own restrictions. 

And if I send it to my Ma's phone or email (she's kinda oblivious to understand this kind of thing 😅), I'll just be able to ask and borrow it and bypass my restrictions the same way. And my Dad doesn't really have a phone, soo there's that. 😐

So I asked ChatGPT for help, and it suggested adding high friction to the unlock process so it’s still possible to unlock in emergencies but harder to do impulsively.

Some suggestions included (though I’m not sure they’d actually even work tho):

• Make a physical copy of the password and QR code 

• Schedule delayed emails containing the password and QR code

• Use timed encryption release of the password/QR code (I don’t really understand this one)

Another concern I have is that even if I find a good middle-ground setup for myself (without any external help/partner).

I feel like I'll struggle to consistently commit to setting up the blocks, and will possibly be highly susceptible to rebounce/relapse harder every time I possibly unlock to adjust/fix something in those blockers (maybe I'm exaggerating or overthinking this a bit, I don't know). 

For example:

• 3 days of controlled blocking and productivity → Day 4: unlock to adjust/fix something→ possibly relapse for 4 - 6 days before having the mental clarity and guys to set the blocks again

• 7 days / 1 week of controlled blocking → Day 8: unlock to adjust/fix something → possibly relapse for 1–2 weeks before having the mental clarity and guys to set the blocks again

Like for the past 4+ months (maybe started around November last year), things just haven’t been working out. I think depression, loneliness, and addiction just got a hold of me even deeper after finishing high school. 

I struggled socially and didn’t really make friends there, but my mental health wasn’t this bad back then. After graduating, my productivity and studying just went downhill from there.

Anyway, thanks for reading. I’d really appreciate any advice, ideas, or experiences people might have — whether technical setups, mindset strategies, or something else entirely.

Need technical (apps) + mental advice to manage social media/content addiction