Quitting gaming?

[Beat14]

Seeing as this is the advice forum, I am curious to if anybody has any advice on quitting gaming, seems backwards to be asking on a website that is about gaming, but I'm sure many have tried

Has any one tried quitting all together, how did it go? How strict with yourself were you.

I am being strict, but I'm going away with a friend who I used to game with a lot for a week in mid December, and said I would have some decent games this time around, but it might be a bad move to taste the sweetness once again. This ban on gaming has only just been self inflicted.

Although I would like opinions on if I should play when I go on holiday, I am more interested in how strict you were with yourself and if you succeeded in quitting or cutting back significantly/at all.

You could say I'm asking how to fill my time, but that's not quite the case. Admittedly if I knew how to fill all my time and be happy I wouldn't be here... What I do want to ask though is, how important to you is the social aspect of activities? (in gaming or else where) Would you say people are one of the main driving forces?

If some one has any suggestions on how to make use of time I will take them, as I will be looking longingly at my laptop even though it has no games on it. I am not one to watch TV series although am I scared it will become a habit. Exercise can only be done so much...

Thanks, if I somehow haven't elaborated enough just say, although you will surprise me.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

You could say I'm asking how to fill my time, but that's not quite the case. Admittedly if I knew how to fill all my time and be happy I wouldn't be here...

I have to admit I'm a little confused. It sounds like you're kind of bored and desperate for something to do with your time. What was the point of quitting gaming in the first place? Here are some good reasons for 'quitting gaming'.

1. You find you really don't like gaming any more.
2. Your job/school/life has reached a crucial stage and no distraction can be tolerated for a period of time.
3. Someone stole your PC/Console/Mobile phone and you have no means to get another.

If I had to guess, based on your "scared it will become a habit" comment regarding television, you're having one of those early life moments of clarity where you're afraid you're developing bad habits (gaming) and missing out on the wild adventures life has to offer you (???). I generally think that's a little silly...in simply finding a hobby you enjoy you're one up on a lot of people...but at the end of the day your choice is your choice.

So...uh...yeah. Surely there was a reason you quit gaming? I'm sure you imagined yourself doing other things when you made that decision? Kissing girls, jumping out of planes, jumping over sharks on waterskis, that kind of thing? You could do those things. Then you'd be too busy to game!

 

[Beat14]

-snip-

Hmm, the question of what to do with my time was meant to be the bit on the side, with peoples experience restricting their gaming or stopping being the main subject. Sorry for not being clear.

I think those last two paragraphs in my OP could have done without being there, not including the thanks of course. However I am not going to edit it out, as I believe I will have too much time and won't know what to fill all it with, making me open to suggestions. Awful thing to say, having too much time, such a tragic problem.

My ambition is clear, although I had a moment of doubt when you mentioned jumping over sharks on waterskis.

I partially blame my vagueness on having read a couple of other threads, as I couldn't help but feel that I didn't care about the OP situation even if I could relate, but would happily give advice if some one else hadn't said it, so I didn't bother detailing my sob story as it was unnecessary.

Your description of an early life moment of clarity reassures me I have not been to vague.

Basically- I am curious about peoples time spent trying to stop/restrict gaming
- With what they/you do with the new found time

My language skills are a little obscure. I'm starting to feel sorry for you and others who may read this

 

[the darknees abyss]

why would quit gaming there nothing wrong with being a game addiction
also gaming is awesome

 

[Beat14]

why would quit gaming there nothing wrong with being a game addiction
also gaming is awesome

To me it's pretty bad, I can't deal with the false sense of progress any more, got things I want to do and the present time is the best time to start with it. Gaming certainly can be awesome, but I don't see it in such a light any more.

 

[Beat14]

-snip-

The logical between decommissioning your gaming PC and stopping gaming sure is solid. My gaming PC remains on the basis I like video editing, or at least that's what I'm telling myself...

Thanks for the suggestions, I think I am slowly becoming a fan of the work before play mindset.

 

[Beat14]

-snip-

The social aspect is probably the biggest draw for playing games, as I feel pretty confident about not playing them at any other time apart from if someone else I know is.

Must be nice knowing that you won't mess up your priorities through gaming, best way imo to look at gaming, it will be there later.

Using the term cold turkey in relation to gaming always does amuse me, however gaming sure does have its hooks that people get snagged onto.

One of my main priorities is eating, so would you believe I'm slowly becoming a master chef. By that I mean I can cook more than pasta now lol

 

[the darknees abyss]

why would quit gaming there nothing wrong with being a game addiction
also gaming is awesome

To me it's pretty bad, I can't deal with the false sense of progress any more, got things I want to do and the present time is the best time to start with it. Gaming certainly can be awesome, but I don't see it in such a light any more.

Then why don't you get some help.

 

[gazumped]

I can't deal with the false sense of progress any more, got things I want to do and the present time is the best time to start with it. Gaming certainly can be awesome, but I don't see it in such a light any more.

Well, then it sounds like you have nothing to worry about. If you've got tired of the false progress aspect then you're not going to want to play when you have stuff to do, surely? That's what it's like with me now, I have so much uni work, I just feel anxious if I take time out to play games that get me nowhere.

However, the exception for me is when I play games with other people (my boyfriend, mostly). In this case it's no more time wasting than watching a film or TV with them. And playing games in this context doesn't tempt me to play games alone when I should be working, I've simply got used to the idea that there is a time and a place for playing games and that's at other people's houses (I've packed away my own consoles) with other people.

 

[Beat14]

-snip-

I'll let you know when the first case of food poisoning comes in

I'm finding it easy to forget that the habit won't occur again like a flip of a switch. Thanks for the reminder and advice Aylaine.

Looking back on it, things would be getting a bit silly if you can't casually enjoy a game with friends. What's the opposite. I'll just sit at stare at this corner till you're done playing...Yeah...

 

[Beat14]

-snip-

Well I did ask about this on the advice section on a gaming website, hoping it would be a place people could relate to what I ask being gamers. Otherwise I think it would seems a pretty lame thing to get help for outside of a gaming community. Not like pride could get in the way of that lol

Also although I am only a short way into not playing any games, I'm finding it really pretty easy, the main times I think of games it's because I realise I am not thinking of games. Hope that makes enough sense.

Lisadagz's post (the first paragraph) summed it up well imo.

 

[Beat14]

-snip-

Your first paragraph really seems to have hit the nail spot on in my mind. As I have only just started trying to cease my gaming habit, I still have some worry to whether it may rekindle. However so far it has been really easy to stop. The temptation hasn't been there.

Guess it's pessimism that makes me think that some how a casual game will turn me into a full blown waster.

 

[darkfox85]

When the Nintendo 64 was on its way out I made a decision to quit gamming because it was expensive and I didn?t want to be a dork and wanted to get a life.

I got a new hobby with music and soon became an avid metaller. So I don?t know; maybe when something is taken out another will soon replace it.

I played very few games and haven?t bought a console since the fifth generation. Instead, casual PC gaming has been my way.

I think this is a period of readjustment and should be organically embraced. Maybe you?re bored of it all? See it as a waste of time? Want to do something different as a person? I don?t know you, but I wish you the best of luck.

 

[smithy_2045]

There's no real reason to quit gaming completely. In fact, if you try and just stop gaming, you're going to struggle to fill the time that you would've spent gaming with something else, and probably fail. By all means reduce how much time you spend gaming, but have a good reason why, and something to replace that time with if you want to actually succeed.

 

[smithy_2045]

There's no real reason to quit gaming completely. In fact, if you try and just stop gaming, you're going to struggle to fill the time that you would've spent gaming with something else, and probably fail. By all means reduce how much time you spend gaming, but have a good reason why, and something to replace that time with if you want to actually succeed.

I believe that depends on how much he games, honestly.

While that is true, it's not unreasonable to assume that someone who is considering quitting gaming does a fair bit of it.

 

[Beldaros]

snip

Well, first of all, I managed to successfully quit gaming just over a year ago... I miss it sometimes but most of the time I'm happy with the decision.

As for how strict... I went cold Turkey. I took a pair of scissors and cut all my favourite disks in half, if my girlfriend hadn't stopped me, I would have gotten through them all.

The first month was suprisingly freeing but every now and then I had a look at a free online games site.

After 2 months it started really nagging at me, work picked up, I was having relationship problems and I wanted to go back in, but every time I wanted to play a game, I decided to learn something instead, this became my game. Mostly it was trying to maintain language skills but then it was geography, history, biology... you name it.

I sometimes feel that learning became my addiction but I find that I can go a long time without doing so now. So I guess what I'm trying to say in a convuluted way is throw your cravings and energy at something you think is more useful. I'm not sure how old you are, so whatever is useful to you really is your call.

If you have good friends, a partner, kids, try doing various non-video game related activities with them, though judging by the way your speaking I would think you are porbably still a student, in which case I would suggest making flash cards for your subject/s and make a game out of remembering the things you need to know... It doesn't have to be school related though.

Don't let gaming or school get in the way of your education and experience. Live life, you'll be surprised what it has to offer.

Basically, take up a hobby that is more worthwhile... but don't be afraid to load up your favourite games every now and then so long as it isn't intefering with other more important things.

Hope this helps.

 

[Beat14]

-snip-

You may not know me, but it certainly sounds like you know what I'm going through.

Thanks, I am hoping/expecting something to replace my time. Take you a long to adjust?

Don't wish people good luck! Wish them success xD

 

[Beat14]

-snip-

Problem was I got tired of throwing my wallet out the window and decided to invest in Wii games involving the throwing motion, pro at them all, till boredom got in. Now I settle for Movie licensed games...

Honestly though I wish I had heard what you said earlier. Bet steam sales would still annihilate my wallet.

 

[darkfox85]

-snip-

You may not know me, but it certainly sounds like you know what I'm going through.

Thanks, I am hoping/expecting something to replace my time. Take you a long to adjust?

Don't wish people good luck! Wish them success xD

Hmmm.
I never saw it as adjustment tbh. It was just something I fell in and out of. So no. Not hard at all. And it wasn?t hard because I knew my heart just wasn?t in it anymore. The reasons why don?t matter ? cash, boredom, social stigma, whatever. The keyword is ?heart? and like I said back in that other post ?organic.?

As for a replacement. Meh. Something always comes along. Music, films, books, art, meth addiction. Just see where life takes you. I found heavy metal, politics, writing, rolling tobacco etc. There?s no secret, shit just happens and replacements (or, ?success?) is guaranteed.

And don?t think it?s the ultimate end of gaming. You can come back if you want. Hell, I?m back to a certain degree. Hence why I?m on this blooming site in the first place. No worries dude!

 

[Beat14]

There's no real reason to quit gaming completely. In fact, if you try and just stop gaming, you're going to struggle to fill the time that you would've spent gaming with something else, and probably fail. By all means reduce how much time you spend gaming, but have a good reason why, and something to replace that time with if you want to actually succeed.

I believe that depends on how much he games, honestly.

While that is true, it's not unreasonable to assume that someone who is considering quitting gaming does a fair bit of it.

Definitely. I also agree for the most part that quitting gaming completely isn't usually the best idea. In reality, it's all about balance. Then again, some people may need to go the all or nothing route if their addiction is really strong. :/

Smithy you assume correctly in my case that someone who is considering quitting gaming does a fair bit of it. Or at least did. However I am finding it pretty easy to stop so far, early days though so I have an open mind to that changing.

I do think my addiction was/is strong, as I have tried twice before. I gave away all my tf2 hats/items. That might sound small, but to me at the time, oh boy! It was madness. So I feel it is best for me to cut it off as completely as I can, bar the very odd social gaming session that will no doubt occur. Also atm my steam account in still rated a 10, and that's with a week of no gaming...