In the past I have successfully quit smoking, sugar, toxic people and the toxic internet. If I see that something is doing me more harm than good in my life, I will diligently try to quit it or fix the situation, simply because I don’t want to suffer because of trivial things, aiming at a quality life – what other way is there?
It’s better to stop abruptly, as soon as you are mentally prepared, if only a little, and feel that it’s time. If the object of dependence or harm allows it, it’s better to cut it off completely, along with everything associated with it – substances or toxic environments, for example. It’s better to act abruptly and endure, because everything will surely improve in the near future (it’s important to remember this).
If the situation is more complex, such as with food, compromises can help – gradually allow a little, for example, instead of overeating and sweets, set a strict limit – eat at home only what you bought once a week, have a bit of dark chocolate after meals instead of dessert. If you are addicted to bread, make pasta with vegetables or prepare cereals with fruits & chocolate or honey, change the food related to the bread habit, it’s possible to move around such workaround easily.
My approach to the internet has been: break the habit of picking up the phone and/or opening the internet; when I’m tired I go to sleep or read a book, ride a bicycle/sport, etc: things that make me feel good and invest in my health; popular internet today is toxic and noisy; open it but only situation by situation. Only a few trustworthy quality sources and only one relative short session a day.
In general, it’s best to work with the essence, real goals and connections rather than numbers or ideals; and all should be in positive, good mood way, and don’t be evil and overload the mind with quantities, and complicated rules, just focus on what is really important: the wish for better. Be gentle, and allow small slips when it comes to life’s things like food or the internet, but if it’s something nasty like substances or assholes, cut it off firmly. Understanding the mechanism of habit in the mind is key. You can get used to anything after a month if you are patient and make compromises. Always do the positive things that really help, such as eating healthy, sleeping much, doing sport and doing good deeds, focus on quality.