How Much Time Have You Wasted Watching Porn? (And What You Could Have Done Instead)
- Jan 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 23
The first time I sat down to think about how much time and energy I’d wasted on porn, I was angry. Like, so angry I could’ve crushed an avocado with my bare hands (and that’s not easy). I was frustrated with myself and even more pissed at pornography for stealing so much from me—time, focus, and let’s be real, opportunities to actually do something meaningful. If you’re here reading this, maybe you’ve had that same sinking realization too.
Today, I want to help you calculate how much time you’ve spent on porn—not to guilt you but to fire you up. Anger is a much better fuel for change than guilt and shame. Let’s use that anger to say, “Not today, porn!” when temptation knocks. By the end of this post, you’ll not only know how much time you’ve given to this habit but also what amazing things you could’ve done instead—and what you still can.
Running the Numbers
For this exercise, let’s start with some generic figures. Say you’ve been watching porn for 15 years, averaging about 5 hours a week. If your numbers are different, be honest with yourself. No one’s looking over your shoulder, and this isn’t the time to sugarcoat it like you do on those “How many drinks do you have a week?” forms at the doctor’s office. Just you and the truth here, buddy.
So, let’s do the math:
5 hours per week x 52 weeks = 260 hours per year
260 hours per year x 15 years = 3,900 hours
That’s 3,900 hours spent watching porn. Let’s break that into days:
3,900 hours ÷ 24 hours per day = about 162 days
You’ve spent over five months of your life watching porn. Five months! That’s like being locked in a room with nothing but a screen and your bad habits for an entire season. When I first saw my number, I wanted to kick a wall. But then I thought, “Okay, now that I know this, what could I have done with that time?”
What Could You Have Done Instead?
1. Learn a New Language
Have you ever wanted to learn Spanish? French? Klingon (no judgment)? Studies suggest it takes about 600 hours of instruction to become fluent in a new language. With 3,900 hours, you could’ve learned not one but six languages. Imagine being the life of every party because you’re the guy who can flawlessly switch from Spanish to Italian to Japanese. Instead, here we are. But hey, the time’s not gone yet.
2. Pick Up an Instrument
Always wanted to shred on the guitar? I feel you. To get to an intermediate level of playing an instrument, it takes around 1,500 hours. That means you could’ve mastered the guitar and probably started learning the piano too. You could be serenading someone right now or joining a band. Instead, we’ve been stuck on “air guitar,” but again—it’s not too late.
3. Start a YouTube Channel
This one hits close to home because I’ve always loved movies and wanted to get into filmmaking. Turns out, it only takes about 200 hours to get a solid foundation in shooting and editing as a solo filmmaker. That’s just 5% of the time spent on porn. If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a YouTube channel or creating short films, that’s all the time you’d need to get started.
4. Transform Your Health
You don’t need to spend all day at the gym to see results. According to research, a significant overhaul of your fitness and health can be achieved in just 130 hours spread over three to four months. With 3,900 hours, you could’ve transformed your body dozens of times over—gone from dad bod to gym bro and back again.
5. Pursue a Passion Project
Have a book you’ve always wanted to write? A business idea gathering dust in your brain? Maybe it’s painting, gardening, or starting a podcast. Whatever it is, 3,900 hours could’ve turned you into an expert or launched your dream project. Instead of scrolling, we could’ve been building.
Reclaiming Your Time
Here’s the thing: what’s done is done. The time we’ve spent is gone, and there’s no DeLorean to take us back. But we do have the present, and that’s where the magic happens.
Moving forward, every hour that would’ve gone to porn can go toward something better. Here’s how to get started:
Get Clear on Your “Why”
Why do you want to quit porn? Is it to have more energy? To be more present in relationships? To finally tackle that bucket list? Keep your “why” front and center.
Channel Your Energy
Redirect your focus to something you care about. If you feel the urge to watch porn, pick up that guitar, go for a run, or dive into a new project. Every time you say “no” to porn, you’re saying “yes” to something greater.
Track Your Progress
Just like we calculated wasted time, track your regained time. Celebrate every hour you spend learning, creating, or connecting.
Surround Yourself with Support
Find people who encourage and inspire you, whether it’s friends, family, or an online community. You’re not in this alone.
Is Pornography Serving Your Highest Good?
I’ll leave you with one question that’s helped me time and time again: Is pornography serving your highest good? Is it helping you become the person you’re meant to be, the person your future self will thank you for?
For me, the answer was a resounding “no.” It wasn’t bringing me closer to my goals, my loved ones, or the life I truly wanted. And when I started focusing on the things that did—the gym, my creative projects, and connecting with people—everything changed.
So, what will you do with your time now? Whether it’s learning a language, picking up an instrument, or just spending more quality time with the people you love, know that the reward will be so much greater than that cheap dopamine hit from porn. You’ve got this.
Let’s rise above together.
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