Gaming taking too much time

[Neko Pounce]

Yeah, So I know the advice forum is for more serious topics, but there isn't anywhere else that's more suitable for this.
So, I realised when I was playing Just cause 2 and had clocked just over 60 hours on it and realised that that's a massive amount of time, and I really want to do something more important with my time. So, can anyone tell me what I should spend my time doing instead of gaming?

I realise the irony of this since this website is based entirely around video games, but such is life...

I do have a social life, but I have been known to shrug of special occasions for the sake of gaming, and I regret that.

Also, I'm 17 and job hunting, so that's out-ta the question for now.

Sorry about spelling or grammar mistakes.

 

[The Man With the Soap]

I would suggest exercise. I spend most of my free time doing military PT and working out. It cuts into my gaming time a lot, but I also have a lot of other things I enjoy doing: writing, reading, and social events with friends.

 

[Neko Pounce]

I would suggest exercise. I spend most of my free time doing military PT and working out. It cuts into my gaming time a lot, but I also have a lot of other things I enjoy doing: writing, reading, and social events with friends.

I know exersize is important and to a extent, enjoyable, but i lack the reason or the motivation to do that regularly. So thanks and I'm trying that, but I'm talking more little hobbies that have a better outcome then a cutsceean...

 

[Proteus214]

I would just say take up a hobby that isn't playing video games. For example I make video ga-...wait...well when I'm not doing that I do a lot of writing that is mostly about video-...well shit I'm a terrible example here...

I guess just find something you like and do it. Try this: don't play video games at all for one week. During that time if you feel bored think of something to do. Chances are you will find something that is really interesting/engaging/enlightening that you could easily incorporate into your everyday life. Remember, this would only be for a week, I would never suggest giving it up altogether if you like it that much.

 

[The Man With the Soap]

I would suggest exercise. I spend most of my free time doing military PT and working out. It cuts into my gaming time a lot, but I also have a lot of other things I enjoy doing: writing, reading, and social events with friends.

I know exersize is important and to a extent, enjoyable, but i lack the reason or the motivation to do that regularly. So thanks and I'm trying that, but I'm talking more little hobbies that have a better outcome then a cutsceean...

The key to motivation while exercising is music. I listen to music when I go on my eight mile run every morning at five. It helps. Honestly, the only thing holding you back is yourself. If you stop whining and making excuses and just get out there, you'll be suprised what you can do.

As for reason, name one good reason not to get good exercise on a regular basis, and I'll back down. You said you wanted something other than video games to do with your time. I gave you something. If you are dead-set to stay out of shape for the rest of your days, then you could take up writing or learning a musical instrument. I find both activities to be very fulfilling.

 

[SiskoBlue]

That's tough. Games are designed to keep you interested in them. Here's the way we as peopel generally operate and why we fail to do more productive things.

Think of two things you'd like to do;
1. Play the latest Just Cause
2. Learn Spanish (for example).

Now here's the thing. Long-term reward vs short-term reward. Most people will choose the long-term reward to begin with but usually succumb to the short-term reward.

A typical experiment on this is you offer a person a choice. They can get $20 in one hour, or they can get $100 if they wait 3 hours. Now clearly the long-term reward is better. You tell people they can change their mind at any point up to the first hour. Subjects nearly always pick the long-term reward as their goal. But as that hour comes to a close about 70% of people change their mind (iirc).

This explains a lot of addictions as well. Have a cigarette now and quell the cravings, or go without a cigarette for 3 weeks and never smoke again reap the health and financial benefits of being a non-smoker.

So how do some people show will power more than others. It simply comes done to belief, not will power. Person A thinks if they don't play a video game and instead study Spanish they BELIEVE they'll learn Spanish and they'll get the rewards the envisage in their head for knowing how to speak Spanish (say chatting up spanish speaking women). Person B would like those rewards as well but doesn't have a lot of faith in them. They think "I'll probably give up before I really learn spanish so what's the point", and "even if I do learn Spanish I'll probably just find out what those cuban girls on the corner are really saying about me".

So not only are they battling immediate reward (game=fun now) vs long-term (learning spanish is hard but more "productive"), they're also battling their belief that they'll get the reward.

There's also the difference that people who achieve things make steps. They don't just go "I'm going to learn Spanish!" they might go. "I'm going to learn to count to 100 in Spanish!". "Then I'm going to learn how to speak tourist spanish". They break it down into digestable ATTAINABLE goals.

Plus, you have a third problem. What's worthwhile? Who knows? Some kids think becoming a master in cup stacking is a worthwhile achievemet... is it? Who am I to judge.

So here's the secret, maybe find something that may or may not be worthwhile but if you love doing it you can get better at. Musical instrument? Gaming leagues? Writing? If you can find something that is A) immediately fun for you, maybe not as easy as gaming but something you still enjoy for it's own sake B) something you are confident will lead to definite rewards, and C) keep in mind that you have to get over the short-term v long-term reward hump, then you might get there.

Personally my goal is to enjoy myself and I achieve that almost every night playing games. I've got kids so I plan to project all my hopes and dreams on to them and make them miserable (joking... I hope).

 

[Zantos]

Learn Calculus and Differential Equations, geodesics are fun.

 

[deserteagleeye]

Find a different hobby and see if you can get yourself engaged in that.

 

[brinvixen]

I would suggest exercise. I spend most of my free time doing military PT and working out. It cuts into my gaming time a lot, but I also have a lot of other things I enjoy doing: writing, reading, and social events with friends.

Quoted for truth. In fact, for me personally, nothing is more fulfilling that doing a bit of exercise after playing video games. After sitting on my butt for 3-4 hours doing nothing but mashing buttons, taking a walk or jog outside really takes away that sinking feeling that I'm a lazy-gamer-bum. Which I'm not, since I exercise ;-) And really, exercise doesn't have to be the rigorous kind. Take a walk around your block if it's a nice day (that's what I usually do).

But if you want to completely avoid the physical, visit the nearest Barnes and Nobles and get the first two or three books that really grab you. That should tie you over. Or if you wanna feel productive, learn something new. I'm learning how to cook this summer, and the results are really fulfilling for me. And why not try your hand at a bit of volunteer work, if that stuff is offered near by you? (which it probably is: every community is looking for volunteers for something somewhere). That should make you feel super productive.

That's my two cents. Hope it helps. But really, you shouldn't feel bad for gaming. It's not like you sat there for 60 hours STRAIGHT. It's a total amount. 60 hours straight could be a problem, but 60 hours total, not so much.

 

[Fawcks]

Become the ultimate card game master. <3

 

[daftalchemist]

Look for other hobbies. I've stopped gaming as much since I've picked up a love of knitting a baking bread. That may sound hilarious like "haha, a woman in the kitchen etc", but that's because you probably haven't had pizza pockets made by hand from scratch, or the delicious garlic & cheddar dinner rolls I made just tonight.

Having a hobby that results in something being created makes me feel a lot more fulfilled than logging dozens of hours into a videogame.