This is a very dramatic framing. A much more resonable explanation is that YouTube was being used as an escape. 10K Subs is an accomplishment, a real community. The less talked about half of parasocial relationships is the one that goes the other way, where people feel validation from the likes and views they get. Generally, taking a break from an escape means you face the real issues you have been avoiding and ignoring using YouTube. At the same time, I think it's great the author is reflecting and take actionable steps to working on themselves. Stepping away or slowing down is a tough decision once you reach the size this author has.
I have higher weekly hours, in the Youtube app on your phone, you can see weekly view stats. On wednesday my stats say 15 hours. I have ADHD and I leave YouTube running in the background while I work and when I sleep. I know for a fact that 5+ hour on wednesday was "10 Hours of Hotel AC White Noise (High power setting)". 80% of the time it's on in the background, either figuratively or literally white noise.
Taking a break is always beneficial, but I think this might be a situation where an escape becomes unhealthy and makes the situation worse but isn't the underlying cause. I strongly dislike the trend of using the word addiction to describe a bad or unhealthy habit. Unless watching YouTube held you back from performing other life function or you feel physical or mental withdrawal symptoms, I'd hestitate from using that word. Not just a craving, but also some sort of anxiety from being away or cancelling plans with friends or being late to work. People are fulltime Youtubers, being a creator can be everything from a hobby to a profession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdhL-XuKLY&t=17668s
I have higher weekly hours, in the Youtube app on your phone, you can see weekly view stats. On wednesday my stats say 15 hours. I have ADHD and I leave YouTube running in the background while I work and when I sleep. I know for a fact that 5+ hour on wednesday was "10 Hours of Hotel AC White Noise (High power setting)". 80% of the time it's on in the background, either figuratively or literally white noise.
Taking a break is always beneficial, but I think this might be a situation where an escape becomes unhealthy and makes the situation worse but isn't the underlying cause. I strongly dislike the trend of using the word addiction to describe a bad or unhealthy habit. Unless watching YouTube held you back from performing other life function or you feel physical or mental withdrawal symptoms, I'd hestitate from using that word. Not just a craving, but also some sort of anxiety from being away or cancelling plans with friends or being late to work. People are fulltime Youtubers, being a creator can be everything from a hobby to a profession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdhL-XuKLY&t=17668s