Why does it feel like too much effort just to go from sitting around looking at garbage online to simply watching a film or playing a video game?

Depression

While I can't provide you with a proper scientific answer I can offer a basic explanation - it's effort.

Browsing through the never ending amount of content online requires no effort but provides you with a dopamine rush as if you actually managed to accomplish or do something with your time. Other stuff, like watching movies, playing games, reading books, etc. requires attention and active participation, the payoff on the other hand is largely delayed (especially compared to the lazy option).

As for hacks... I don't know any. The only ways I know how to deal with it is limiting your time scrolling through this stuff and forcing yourself to do other things - it can be rough early on but you'll eventually get used to the "normal" way of functioning.

ADHD. A lot of people might say depression, and ADHD gets misdiagnosed this way too, especially because people are much more familiar with the way depression manifests rather than how ADHD actually manifests beyond stereotypical hyperactivity and difficulty focusing.

What you're describing is executive dysfunction and energy regulation problems. The reason you can't stop scrolling is because your brain doesn't produce dopamine enough, and it's only used to the short bursts it can produce. This creates a feedback loop where you're stuck stimulating yourself with quick, easy dopamine hits, and that's why anything that seems like a prolonged task feels like an impossible endeavor. It's also why you'll get tunnel vision if you ever do start playing that game.

We have this thing called autistic inertia, which sounds similar, and since people already mentioned ADHD, maybe start here and see if anything rings a bell and go from there:

https://medium.com/@autieadventures/adhd-autistic-inertia-and-pda-what-sets-them-apart-9d2b39a55cf7

I can only speak to my experience.

Often I fall back to films or games I've already developed an emotional attachment to. Because the mental energy it takes to develop a new attachment is significant. I find I can trick it by putting something on while I do something else and then come back to watch or listen to it later where it's already somewhat familiar.

My ADHD doesn't really let me have long term (hour plus) focus easily. It wants the easy dopamine hit from something that it knows it already can drop into.

Others have said depression, but this can also be caused by burnout or ADHD. If you’ve tried the usual suggestions (better sleep, exercise, diet) and it’s really bothering you, then talking to a doctor could help narrow down the possibilities.

There could be any number of things causing you to feel like that. Depression, burn out (very common in people on the spectrum), vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems… our bodies are kind of like really crappy cars that just show a check engine light for every problem, except with feeling tired. The only way to rule out any physical problems is to get blood work done.

Tell yourself "3 2 1 Go!" And do it.

yeah there's a pretty good hack for this.

Stop having social media, if you are unable to look at it, you simply won't.

90% of your life is building an environment around you that incentivizes you to do the work that you need to do, not only to be productive, but also to be happy.

You'll be really fucking bored, but also find that you have other things to be doing, and then go do those instead, because they're more interesting.

It's the level of commitment. You can start and stop online activities with almost no preparation or planning. When you watch a movie, you have to mentally prepare yourself to be in one spot and paying attention to one thing for an hour and a half. When you play video games, it takes effort to turn on the console or launch Steam / Epic / whatever.

Because your brain is naturally "designed" to maximise things that trigger happy chemicals while minimising effort to get them.

So slowly frying your neurons from scrolling an endless supply of garbage where you don't have to move or work or even use your brain to make a choice of what to watch or pay attention enough to follow a story is always going to be your brains preferred choice.

Kinda sounds like standard adult burnout.

Because you have ADHD.

Your brain is a large energy eater. Slow oxygen transfer in the lungs would be my guess. Sitting around, your body downcycles to a lower energy requirement and the longer it remains in that statethe more effort it takes to get out of it

(most) films and video games requires a bit of engagement from you.

Consider how limited our time is and if you really want to spend it on "garbage".

Only hack fortis discipline. Decide what you’re going to do ahead of time, then stick to your plans.

This sounds like it could be clinical depression, which sometimes requires professional help.

I generally try to find things that make me laugh if I get to this point. I look up old Whose Line episodes or moments, Improv-a-ganza, and recently Dropout shows like Game Changer and Dirty Laundry.

I had that last night. I went to finally watch Pluto, which I read the manga and seen the first episode before so knew I was love it, but when I started it I was like "Can I speed this up?" Which wouldn't have made it as good. " Do I have time for this? I could be doing something else?" When I had did some chores and didn't have anything the next day just for this. Once I was into it, I had a hard time stopping, but had to because I was too tired to appreciate it.

I think I been consuming media that not very important to me and that I don't have to pay close attention that I normalize that. When years ago I use to purposely consume a big chunk of media. So the opposite of what I do now. Making setting aside time and focusing hard to do.

I can't speak for you, but I experience similar and I think there's a few reasons. To me, movies are tough mostly because there so many options, I spend too much time just browsing.

Games, I think it's either because starting a new game is a like intimidating, or because I feel I need at least a chunk of time and by the time I do it, it's too late. And again, options.

Plus scrolling is just kind of fun sometimes. Iunno. Humans need other humans. P

Either way, I'm on Lemmy right now because I've got a 2 year old koalaing my left arm, though. Be glad you at least have the choice to scroll! Best of luck, hope you get a game inspiration soon.

It could be a number of things that people have mentioned in here.

Just allow yourself to do what you actually want to do. If you feel like you actually want to watch movies or TV shows then you need to consciously stop picking up your phone.

At the same time, if you only want to watch a movie or TV show because its what you "think" is expected of a "normal" person, stop. Just let yourself lay on the couch/bed and scroll.

We place too many expectations on ourselves these days to be doing certain things, instead of just doing the things we actually want.

Tai Chi is an activation energy hack. It's a somatopsychic effect that increases mental energy.

Try weed, it'll get you immersed into a game/movie. It's the best way to enjoy them.