Is obsession a bad thing? Yes, it is. But there are definitely ways on how to overcome obsession with just a few strategies. So why is it bad to be obsessed?
It can be really toxic when obsession takes over. I say this because chances are, it’s taking over your reality. The more you isolate yourself with being obsessed with something that doesn’t affect you in reality, the more you become depressed and distracted from life.
When I studied Media back in an online school, I learned about how media works and how television shows add “perfect and flawless” characters whilst magazine covers with photoshopped models makes it appealing for the audience’s ideal crushes.
The more appealing and popular it is to the viewer, the more views, audience falling into the obsession stage and the more revenue they get.
Hence when you become addicted to a tv show. You want to learn more about them, fantasize about them and even create your own fan versions (fanart or fanfiction) of the tv show. Or even making it your social media profile pic and joining fan pages.
It doesn’t have to be a tv show or a type of media. You could fall in love with someone, your ex or a celebrity for example. That’s why it’s best to only obsess for a while but then go back to focusing on reality.
Here are my ways on how I personally got over my toxic obsession and how you can too. Also, because you can obsess over anything, I’m going to restrict it as “subject”.
So grab your mug of coffee or tea and let’s get right into it!
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Backstory To My Obsession
The week I spent sick with a dry cough or flu, I decided to take a break from blogging (I’m still sick but it wasn’t worse than that week).
I didn’t know what to do during that week. All I was doing was sleeping, taking medication and staying in bed binge-watching YouTube or reading webtoon comics.
It wasn’t until I decided “Why not get back into Kdramas and Kpop?” During that time, I still listened to Kpop and watched some Kdramas from time to time but it wasn’t hugely taking over my life.
Now I stopped obsessing over Kpop when I was in my last years of high school. I happened to forget about it after I transferred to an online school at the age of 16.
And for that whole week, I became really obsessive over Kpop.
But this isn’t the first time I started obsessing over stuff. I did the same thing in the past with Tekken, Steven Universe, RWBY and so much more.
But, it wasn’t until Sunday that I knew I had to snap out of it and focus on reality. So here’s what I did.
Talk to friends who aren’t involved in the subject
I found out that it was more helpful to text or talk to a friend who isn’t into the subject. Literally, talk about anything with a mate helps you distract yourself away from the subject and puts you back into reality.
Whilst at the time I was being obsessive, I isolated myself and avoided contact with my friends (but that’s because I was sick and had a mega headache at the time).
I snapped out of it after the break and began texting my friends. I talked with them about my obsession with Kpop/Kdrama and they understood and told me their story of being obsessed.
Then we decided to talk about something else and it really helped me get my mind off the subject. It helped me feel relief for telling someone about it.
Focus on different hobbies
As I said, I did take a break from blogging that week. Even though it’s good to take a break from blogging, I really did miss writing blog posts.
As of now, I’m focusing more on my blog rather than the subject itself. When I write, I decide to stick to lo-fi background music instead of Kpop.
The thing is, it’s best to try different hobbies as a good way to move away from the subject. As well as making it a distraction.
It’s like trying to get over a breakup. The best way to get over it is to try new hobbies or continue back to the hobby that you use to enjoy.
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Watch different videos on YouTube
I have over 200+ videos in my watch later list that I need to watch. It really helps to also watch different types of videos that don’t involve anything to do with the subject for example, for me, I watch cooking, beauty (makeup tutorials) or just drama commentary.
For me, Kpop or Kdrama was one thing that I needed to avoid. But also, it was hard to avoid it because coincidently.
Emiru posted a video called “The K-Pop Hole” which related to my own situation (how do YouTubers even know my life?).
Try deleting the videos related to the subject in your history list. When you see it on your homepage, you should be able to click the 3 horizontal dots next to the title of the video and click “Not interested”.
Go out
The thing is, you can’t just stay in all day trying to avoid thinking about the subject. You know, because the only thing you can do when you’re alone is isolating in your house, thinking about that tv show or ex.
When you’re outside or in a different place, you’re away from where the subject is. What I mean is, you’re in a different location where it doesn’t remind you about the subject. You’re also surrounded by different people and also become a part of reality where you’re aware of your surroundings.
The fastest way for me when it comes to avoiding Kpop is going out and spending time with my fam or hanging out with my mates. I can’t stand staying in my house all week.
I feel like I’ve said this before in another blog post, but I often go out shopping on weekends with my fam because staying inside my house became toxic for me. Shocking right? (Introvert here with social anxiety!).
Write everything down about the subject in a journal
Writing your thoughts down help with pretty much anything. With many of my past posts, I always mention that journaling is like a self-care routine.
It “declutters” your mind so that you don’t have to think and get overwhelmed about the subject.
For me, I wrote everything I could think about down in my daily journal (not so daily anymore since I tend to skip days).
Once I jot down my thoughts and feelings about the subject, I close the book and feel a sense of relief. Plus more space for newer thoughts.
You try it out and see how you feel afterwards. And remember, you can pretty much write about anything and not feel ashamed because you’re not sharing it with anyone!
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Avoid the subject
This last part is important. Avoid anything related to the subject. Unfollow the subject on any type of social media and/or site (or just avoid social media for a couple of weeks).
If you have posters of them, take them down, bookmarks on your browser, delete it, photos of the subject, move them to the “achieve folder”.
Try your best to avoid it. Sometimes, it’s impossible to avoid it when it keeps popping up. The best thing to do is shut your laptop, turn off your phone and do something else that can be physically done like cooking, decluttering, reading a book, taking a stroll or self-care.
You can always try out my 30 Days Self Care Challenge if you’re new to self-care.
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Conclusion
I want you to stop and think, focus on reality and your life. I need you to make a goal on what you want to achieve for the future. You can also write your goals in your planner, that way you can focus on it daily.
Try out these tips I’ve mentioned and don’t forget to check out SimpleTruths for more ways on how to stay motivated and self-love yourself.
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We need to keep a balance in our life.. Great post
That’s definitely true! You can be interested in fantasy but you can’t discard reality!
I agree that we to make a goal on what we want to achieve for the future. This is a great post!
Exactly! Being able to make goals is like a life motivation and you know exactly what you want to do in your life!
My ‘obsessions’ fade in a month at the most and I tend to move on without an issue… Wondering if I’ve ever had a true obsession if that’s the case 😅 either way, I will remember this.
My crushes and relationships for only a week LOL! With tv shows, it depends on if it’s a continuous series or if it’s an already finished series. I think every “over-obsession” are true because you’re an active audience to every detail of that subject that you’re obsessed with.
I am an art lover. I do arts while having coffee and somewhere I am obsessed for coffee. Thanks for the tips and I will focus and implement your suggestions in my life.
I’m an art and coffee lover too! (High five!). Yes, I too also have a coffee addiction problem, hence why I decided to switch between tea and coffee. Hope it helps!
trust me i am indian girl and i must say kdramas really is a stress relieve. I have been watching them on netflix and dramafever whenever i need a break. Kdrama can also be very addictive
Omg, I watch nearly all my kdramas on Dramafever too! (High Five) But seriously tho, it’s fine to watch kdramas and as you said, it’s very addicting. Don’t fall into the same steps as me and other Kdrama fans who try to overly fantasize marrying or dating that handsome or beautiful Korean actors/actresses!
This is one of the most interesting blog that I have read about conquering obsession.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much about the compliment! I try to make it different as possible and talk about topics that I would like to share.
I think being passionate is great but it’s definitely important to keep a level of balance in your life before it gets to the point of obsession
That’s what I’m talking about! It’s alright to be passionate but when it goes over the top, it will ruin you. Thanks for pointing that out because that’s what this post is all about.
I have been obsessing about a lot of stuff, but with time I learned that obsessing is just making me less productive and, there were shows, games, videos, a lot of things, but I started to lessen it to an extent, friends are helping me immensely because with them I never think about the stuff I obsess over, it’s all fun and laughs 😀
Having friends around is like therapy (not really) but it certainly does help to have someone else there to joke around and have fun! I use to be obsessed with playing video games back in high school and my grades would drop. It was horrible!
Focussing on something productive is a great way to overcome an obsession. Thanks for these cool tips. 🙂
Thanks for reading! You’re focusing on something different while trying to achieve something. It’s a win-win situation!
OMG I’m obsessed with watching TV. your post just made me rethink.lol. My fav technique i’m going to be using is to go out and walk whenever i feel like watching tv
Same, I love binge watching series and dramas! Also, that’s an awesome tip that I never thought of! I should try out that method.
I think ‘being obsessed’ has become a fun way of saying that you ‘just love’ something so it will take a deeper and honest look at what is an actual obsession and what’s a trendy way of expressing your interests.
Haha, I always had thoughts whether or not if I’m in love or if it’s becoming a really bad obsession! I mean, it’s fine to fall in love with something that is your interest, but when it comes to overly being in love with it, it can take a toll to your health. 🙁
Creating new habits and getting away from something we’ve become obsessed with is hard. This gives great ideas and tips! Thanks for sharing.
That is so true. It takes time to get over an obsession so always try out something new while you’re at it. If it worked for me, it might work for you!
I agree with all of the tips that you have written here! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reading, hope it helps!
I am obsessed in mastering Illustrator techniques. I used Photoshop for almost 14 years and just started with Illustrator. I am so obsessed to the point that I have laptop and phone until late at night watching tutorials and applying techniques. 😀
I can certainly relate to you on that part except for the illustrator technique! I would stay up later at night reading posts or doing courses on blogging and it would take advantages on my sleep.
I am obsessed with Starbucks right, I go out 4-5 times a week. I need to stop going and focus that money on other things. But, I try to budget Starbucks as it makes me happy and it helps with my mental health. And also, UI drink chai and I can’t make good chai.
(I know this about obsessed about media but I am obsessed with food)
I’ve tried Starbucks once years ago and I’m sorry but I do think it’s overrated haha. Talking from a person who buys coffee from Gloria Jeans and other coffee shops. I think it’s good to start making your own coffee in the morning if you have the time! There’s a cheap hack where you can making coffee the day before, pour it into ice cubes tubes and store it in the freezer. Then you can quickly pop one coffee cube out and pour boiling water, ready to drink or on the go! Also, there is no mention of what obsession is! I’m just using tv as an example since it’s common for tv shows to be addicting. 🙂
I find journaling to be really helpful. It allows me to really organize my thoughts. Great post.
That’s awesome! Journaling is definitely a great way to organise your thoughts.
Well in my part I’m so obsessed with watching Netflix this coming few weeks I’m having a sick for my skin allergy and I don’t finish some of my working tasks 🙁 going outside and changing other hobbies is a great idea 🙂
I’ve read your post on your allergy and I’m so sorry for that. I do hope you get better! Going outside or doing hobbies outside is a great way to get some vitamin D and soak in the sunshine.
These are all great tips. Sometimes obsessing about a goal can be a good thing, but it’s important to recognize when it’s gone too far or is counter-productive. I think this post will be very helpful for people who find themselves in that situation.
I never thought about that in that way! Thanks for giving me a heads up about goal obsessions.
Theses are great tips to conquer even failure. Thanks for sharing
I love all six of these tips on how to cure in obsession. I have used more than one on many occasions the one that has been more it was helpful to me is distraction.
Great tips. 🙂 I learned a lot from your article. Thank you.
Thanks for reading! Glad you learned a lot.
Focusing on other hobbies is a great idea! I find relaxing hobbies are the best to pick up or things that keep your hands busy because it also keeps the mind busy.
I agree! Hobbies are the number one way to keep your mind off your obsession. Relaxing hobbies are great, like reading, art, crafting etc.