A Disordered Life
Why do many gamers seem so disorganized in their personal life?
Read Full Article
Why do many gamers seem so disorganized in their personal life?
Read Full Article
A Disordered Life
- Thread starter Mark J Kline
- Start date
There's a difference between disorder and chaos.
Case in point: My Mother is a hoarder. She has stuff bulging out of each and every cupboard.
My Father is a tidier. He tidies constantly.
I'm a bit of a slob. Always have been LONG before I even had a computer.
Thing is: If they need to find that spare set of keys, I'm the one who can find them.
If I move the keys from one hook to the other, both my folks are lost. If they drop them in the bathroom, I'll still be able to find them quickly.
You can still be messy and organised.
Case in point: My Mother is a hoarder. She has stuff bulging out of each and every cupboard.
My Father is a tidier. He tidies constantly.
I'm a bit of a slob. Always have been LONG before I even had a computer.
Thing is: If they need to find that spare set of keys, I'm the one who can find them.
If I move the keys from one hook to the other, both my folks are lost. If they drop them in the bathroom, I'll still be able to find them quickly.
You can still be messy and organised.
I love this - taking a different angle than the usual "This is what gamers are like" articles.
Having been both organized and disorganized at various stages of my life, video games are definitely a destabilizing factor, simply because they are so addictive. If I'm thinking about a game when I get home, there's less incentive to do the laundry, buy groceries, or clean the bathroom. After all, Minecraft is right there!
Ironically, Gamefly has greatly helped in this regard. With a nearly week-long time lag between games, I can squeeze in the menial tasks of daily organization and still have room for the Wednesday night Bible study.
Having been both organized and disorganized at various stages of my life, video games are definitely a destabilizing factor, simply because they are so addictive. If I'm thinking about a game when I get home, there's less incentive to do the laundry, buy groceries, or clean the bathroom. After all, Minecraft is right there!
Ironically, Gamefly has greatly helped in this regard. With a nearly week-long time lag between games, I can squeeze in the menial tasks of daily organization and still have room for the Wednesday night Bible study.
I tend to expect life to contain a lot of disorder, and try to adapt to it. I think it's mostly best to attempt to create a sense of balance and flexibility in your life, well at least I prefer that. I wouldn't want my enjoyment of playing games to become avoidant behaviour, and try to consider other priorities first. Escapism is often welcome, but I wouldn't want it make me passive in my life generally. I think, depending on your situation, it can be all to easy to avoid life through playing games (and I experienced this when I was younger) or really, any kind of escapism.
So these days, when it comes to deciding when to play a game and for how long, I try to take into consideration other responsibilities in my life beforehand.
So these days, when it comes to deciding when to play a game and for how long, I try to take into consideration other responsibilities in my life beforehand.
I kind of fit the bill on this one - I'm pretty bad slob, a handful of times a year I'll get sick of my place being messy and spend a day cleaning, but most of the time what I'll do is a quick tidying up if I know someone's coming over. Mostly its I tend to leave dishes and laundry lying around till the once a week when I clean it all up. That and dusting, I HATE dusting.
I also have some minor issues with time management, nothing so bad that its adversely affected me professionally though, granted it helps that the company I work for is pretty laid back about such matters as long as I'm getting my work done efficiently and the quality doesn't suffer, they aren't going to begrudge me for being a little late on occasion. A lot of that also has to do with the nature of my work - I'm a software developer, so generally speaking when I work isn't quite as much an issue as when I finish a project. If I were on client support, for example, I'd need to be answering phones so I imagine that when I was at my desk in the morning would probably be a bigger factor in how my boss tolerated such things.
I'll admit that I took a bit longer to get through college than 4 years, 6 to be exact, but gaming was far from the only factor. The main thing was for most of my first year I was suffering from a pretty deep depression, my dorm roommate was a raging alcoholic, I really didn't know where I was going in life - I really was only attending college at that point because I was 'Supposed to' more than anything.
I eventually managed to pull myself together though, began taking a wide variety of classes at a community college to figure out what I liked doing, discovered I enjoyed programming, enrolled at another University, and got myself a degree in Computer Science.
I will admit it was an uphill battle moving from being a directionless slacker to actually trying to get my shit together, there was a lot of forcing myself to sit down and study, do homework, etc. instead of playing the latest game I picked up. Really though the thing that changed things from me the most was finally breaking out of the cycle of depression and finding motivation to move forward.
Now as far as how to make yourself actually focus on work when you much rather be playing your latest purchase - for those of you still in college, I *HIGHLY* recommend making yourself do your homework/projects/whatever on campus - I usually used the computer lab, and not at home. I've always found that as soon as I'm at home the temptation to slack off rises exponentially, because generally after you get home from a day of lectures and labs what you want to do is relax and not dive straight back into school.
I also have some minor issues with time management, nothing so bad that its adversely affected me professionally though, granted it helps that the company I work for is pretty laid back about such matters as long as I'm getting my work done efficiently and the quality doesn't suffer, they aren't going to begrudge me for being a little late on occasion. A lot of that also has to do with the nature of my work - I'm a software developer, so generally speaking when I work isn't quite as much an issue as when I finish a project. If I were on client support, for example, I'd need to be answering phones so I imagine that when I was at my desk in the morning would probably be a bigger factor in how my boss tolerated such things.
I'll admit that I took a bit longer to get through college than 4 years, 6 to be exact, but gaming was far from the only factor. The main thing was for most of my first year I was suffering from a pretty deep depression, my dorm roommate was a raging alcoholic, I really didn't know where I was going in life - I really was only attending college at that point because I was 'Supposed to' more than anything.
I eventually managed to pull myself together though, began taking a wide variety of classes at a community college to figure out what I liked doing, discovered I enjoyed programming, enrolled at another University, and got myself a degree in Computer Science.
I will admit it was an uphill battle moving from being a directionless slacker to actually trying to get my shit together, there was a lot of forcing myself to sit down and study, do homework, etc. instead of playing the latest game I picked up. Really though the thing that changed things from me the most was finally breaking out of the cycle of depression and finding motivation to move forward.
Now as far as how to make yourself actually focus on work when you much rather be playing your latest purchase - for those of you still in college, I *HIGHLY* recommend making yourself do your homework/projects/whatever on campus - I usually used the computer lab, and not at home. I've always found that as soon as I'm at home the temptation to slack off rises exponentially, because generally after you get home from a day of lectures and labs what you want to do is relax and not dive straight back into school.
I know I'm a pile-er. I keep stacks of papers around, and know exactly where everything is. I can reach into a pile, and pull out the file/paper I need. Periodically I feel compelled by society to file things via some sort of coherent filing system....In the subsequent few weeks I am completely bewildered when trying to find things, until they go back into their piles.
I guess it's a greater metaphor for the rest of my life - my organizational methods work perfectly for me, and that's what matters 8)
I guess it's a greater metaphor for the rest of my life - my organizational methods work perfectly for me, and that's what matters 8)
I think the problem is, you aren't considered a real gamer unless you live in a pile of empty mountain dew can and pizza boxes while being glued to your game, so people like me, who work 9-5, and live in a clean, relatively organize apartment aren't considered gamers. Therefore since I, and people like me aren't lumped in with the gamers you can't average out.
In games I find myself almost compulsively organised. I will pause Harvest Moon to calculate the cost-effectiveness of one type of crop over another, plan my daily activities and route (so as to grab as much free stuff as possible) and refer to a time sheet of who will be where so I can fit in some quick socialising. (If they ever invent random schedules for NPCs, I think my head might just explode.)
I organise my inventory in RPGs, make sure all my clothing matches when I can (even if it means undesirable side effects) and if there's any kind of time limit you'd better believe I have a plan for it.
Real life? Pfft. I still haven't folded my clothes from the laundry run two days ago. I have only tried to wear matching clothes for occasions like weddings and my room works constantly towards chaos until I need to procrastinate something enough to tidy it up. (And then I can never find anything.)
I organise my inventory in RPGs, make sure all my clothing matches when I can (even if it means undesirable side effects) and if there's any kind of time limit you'd better believe I have a plan for it.
Real life? Pfft. I still haven't folded my clothes from the laundry run two days ago. I have only tried to wear matching clothes for occasions like weddings and my room works constantly towards chaos until I need to procrastinate something enough to tidy it up. (And then I can never find anything.)
Well, I personally view the floor as an excellent storage space. It's a flat surface, and things stack well on it. What more could you want? However, I don't leave food or stuff like that lying around. That's just disgusting.
Welcome to the Land of Stereotypes. Population: Not nearly as many as you think.
Seriously, this is silly. Not every gamer fits into this image. And plenty of non-gamers are slobs. Being a gamer does not automatically equal slobbishness. They are separate issues. I am a gamer, yet I keep my home clean. The idea of piles of weeks old pizza boxes or piles of laundry on the floor would drive me insane. And I've known plenty of other gamers who aren't messy people. And non-gamers who make me afraid to go near their house, because I don't know what might be lurking under the piles. And I'm pretty sure the tuna casserole winked at me.
Seriously, this is silly. Not every gamer fits into this image. And plenty of non-gamers are slobs. Being a gamer does not automatically equal slobbishness. They are separate issues. I am a gamer, yet I keep my home clean. The idea of piles of weeks old pizza boxes or piles of laundry on the floor would drive me insane. And I've known plenty of other gamers who aren't messy people. And non-gamers who make me afraid to go near their house, because I don't know what might be lurking under the piles. And I'm pretty sure the tuna casserole winked at me.
I'm a pretty sloppy guy, but I clean up regularly. I accumulate a mess and then get rid of it one fell swoop. When I DO clean up, I like to really clean up. I don't mean I WASH everything, god no, but I don't just throw away the trash either.
This is true. I also agree with the even more previous post about disorder not being the same as chaos.nekoali said:
To me personally, gaming is not only a hobby, but a way of life. I LOVE gaming, and I spend almost all my free time doing it, wether it is table top RP or the latest Mass Effect/Naruto game. I'd like to be in better shape (I am not fat, simply low on energy), but it is more fun to game so I do that instead.
What it all boils down to is a life philosophy. When I was younger I often thought martial arts was kick-ass (hehe). But I never bother to learn any of it. One reason is that I am a bit of a pacifist, but another is that I simply didnt want it enough to put in the work. I guess its the same about my being in shape. I just dont want it enough, so I game instead.
All in all, this is not a bad thing as my final words can be something along like: I lived as I wanted and had a great time doing it (and mean it). If you can say that at the end of your life, a couple of love-handles is nothing to cry about.
I'd be more inclined to say that games simply attract the sort of person psychologically predisposed to general slobiness and procrastination, rather than games causing slobiness and procrastination.
Take me. I've been messy and generally unmotivated since early grade school, and I've only been a serious gamer for the last decade or so.
That isn't to say that there aren't people who do play games to the point of interfering with their lives - just that I don't think it's a systematic phenomenon among gamers.
Also - I, too, organize my Magic: The Gathering cards alphabetically, and I'm not ashamed to say it's one of the only parts of my life that's consistently in order.
Take me. I've been messy and generally unmotivated since early grade school, and I've only been a serious gamer for the last decade or so.
That isn't to say that there aren't people who do play games to the point of interfering with their lives - just that I don't think it's a systematic phenomenon among gamers.
Also - I, too, organize my Magic: The Gathering cards alphabetically, and I'm not ashamed to say it's one of the only parts of my life that's consistently in order.
Before my card collection really exploded and I didn't have that many cards (say, around ~800)Arcanist said:Also - I, too, organize my Magic: The Gathering cards alphabetically, and I'm not ashamed to say it's one of the only parts of my life that's consistently in order.
I kept my cards indexed by color, rarity, and then alphabetized.
Easily my favorite topic so far. This is something I definitely had some trouble with.
Back in Middle School I was one of those depressed, emo kids. And I got away from most of my issues by goin' and playin' a game for hours on end. My grades and organizational skills definitely suffered for it. It's strange though, because shortly after beginning High School, it seemed that almost all of that changed at once.
Don't get me wrong, I still play games for hours and hours. I didn't let them lead my life anymore though. My grades improved by a fairly large degree, and my organizational and cleanliness skills pretty much took over for a short while. Now I gotta keep my room as spotless as possible. Makin' my bed, vaccuming and dusting every 2 weeks, and keeping some ridiculous order in my room so I know where everything is. Also, even if the urge to play a game is extremely strong, I force myself to study or do my homework.
Sure every once in a while I fall back into bad habits. Hell, right now I'm playin' Red Dead Redemption and haven't exercised or cleaned my room in a few weeks now. But eventually I claw my way out of that deep, dark hole known as gaming looking triumphant and proud!
Back in Middle School I was one of those depressed, emo kids. And I got away from most of my issues by goin' and playin' a game for hours on end. My grades and organizational skills definitely suffered for it. It's strange though, because shortly after beginning High School, it seemed that almost all of that changed at once.
Don't get me wrong, I still play games for hours and hours. I didn't let them lead my life anymore though. My grades improved by a fairly large degree, and my organizational and cleanliness skills pretty much took over for a short while. Now I gotta keep my room as spotless as possible. Makin' my bed, vaccuming and dusting every 2 weeks, and keeping some ridiculous order in my room so I know where everything is. Also, even if the urge to play a game is extremely strong, I force myself to study or do my homework.
Sure every once in a while I fall back into bad habits. Hell, right now I'm playin' Red Dead Redemption and haven't exercised or cleaned my room in a few weeks now. But eventually I claw my way out of that deep, dark hole known as gaming looking triumphant and proud!
