Different kind of success: I've quit video games.
pulsefiretf512
Posts: 2 Member
people might say that video games have nothing to do with fitness, but i disagree, video games is an addiction, it'll make you lazier and less active, i used to play video games for more than 14 hours a day, sitting at my coach/chair forever is not going to benefit me in anyway, so I've made the drastic decision, and now i'm going to kick *kitten* in life, i'm going to start bodybuilding, and i'm going to start chasing my dream of being an artist, and i'm going to start programming and learning things i will wanted to learn.
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Replies
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Good for you! My husband had to quit cold turkey and it was the best decision for him. My teenager plays quite a bit though. Good luck in your pursuits! You will be so much more successful now
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If that's what you want to do - then, that's great!
While I agree video games can be addictive (I played WoW for many years and my health certainly declined during those years) - I do think there is a balance. I don't play games every night, but, it's a form of entertainment to me and I do not think it's a bad one.
I'd never deny myself something I enjoy
Like with a "diet" - you can still have that bar of chocolate if you account for it within your calories/macros.
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The decision to change anything that's holding you back a good decision. It's not about the video games (I'm big on them too and I play often, sometimes for hours, without detriment to my life or work), but about how they affect your life. Good on you for recognizing something that holds you back, but please be smart about it. It's entirely your choice to quit, but going all out riding the motivation wave can leave exhausted later and you'll just snap back.
Instead of focusing your decision on quitting, focus it on adding the activities you want to add to your life. This will naturally displace some of the time you spend playing until you find a balance that feels right. This may or may not end up with you losing interest in video games and not playing at all, but this doesn't matter. The outcome you want is making your life better and pursuing other interests, regardless of your gaming habits.8 -
@pulsefiretf512 that sounds awesome. I know I will have to live with my addictive nature the rest of my life so I have to choose my 'addictions' carefully so they are good for me and mankind in general.
It sounds like you have some great goals in life and I am sure you will get there one step at a time. Our kids are both 20 so at 67 I know a bit about the impact video games can have.
Just keep listening to your fine brain because success comes from within and not from the words of others most often I have found over the years.
Best of continued success in life choices.8 -
I wonder how many people bashing on video games would consider earning 500k a month as successful. Yes there are people earning that much playing video games streaming and making videos.
That said if your idea of successful comes from the gym you arent going to get that by avoiding the gym.
There are several body builders who game as well. You just have to prioritize both if thats what you enjoy.1 -
To follow your dreams to be an artist or programmer it’s also very important to also keep in touch with the things you are passionate about and enjoy. It’s just my opinion but don’t quit completely instead just try putting some of those gaming hours into learning maya or unity or whatever direction you feel is right. If you are gaming for up to 16 hours a day then try and do maybe 4 hours of tutorials (gnomon workshop, unity website ad Pluralsight) and 4 hours of sketching. As you start to learn more you will find yourself lost in developing those ideas further and it will start to reduce those gaming hours. It’s massively important as an artist to stay inspired and that can come from anywhere - games, tv, movies, art of books etc but always stay focussed on learning and developing your craft.
All the very best with it all I wish you every success!0 -
To follow your dreams to be an artist or programmer it’s also very important to also keep in touch with the things you are passionate about and enjoy. It’s just my opinion but don’t quit completely instead just try putting some of those gaming hours into learning maya or unity or whatever direction you feel is right. If you are gaming for up to 16 hours a day then try and do maybe 4 hours of tutorials (gnomon workshop, unity website ad Pluralsight) and 4 hours of sketching. As you start to learn more you will find yourself lost in developing those ideas further and it will start to reduce those gaming hours. It’s massively important as an artist to stay inspired and that can come from anywhere - games, tv, movies, art of books etc but always stay focussed on learning and developing your craft.
All the very best with it all I wish you every success!
That's very true, but I'll argue that it's possible to lose interest in something (especially if it was just an idle time waster and not a passion) when you find other interests that you get to be passionate about. On the flip side, some people also manage to not lose interest, and even to combine their interests with their career success. My job is closely related to video games, for example, and although some projects can be pretty stressful, I love my job because it involves something I love.0 -
Poisonedpawn78 wrote: »I wonder how many people bashing on video games would consider earning 500k a month as successful. Yes there are people earning that much playing video games streaming and making videos.
That said if your idea of successful comes from the gym you arent going to get that by avoiding the gym.
There are several body builders who game as well. You just have to prioritize both if thats what you enjoy.
I took the post was about overcoming any addiction that might be having a negative effect on our health or life in general goals.2 -
great job. i had for ages but i restarted, dont restart xD For people like us life changes so awesomely and drastically when not feeling the pull of the games. So much more time to do other things. I would recommend following some goal lists, Set yourself goals the night before for the next day (grocery shopping, A walk, cleaning etc.) Fill that time with productive time and you dont wont even miss it, And at the end of the day once youve had a rpoductive day you can game a bit if you like
Although for me thats what lead to going back, The time started becoming more and more ill go to the gym in the morning go home and isnt much else to do but game so ill game all day xD
Though the weather has been super *kitten* and theres nothing to do in my apartment so im sure ill stop again in summer lol0 -
Video games have that addictive element and has no redeeming quality.
Children playing them nonstop has made for slovenly children! If parents don't put brakes on them and lock them up there is a litany of damage that comes with them.Kids playing interactive games with other adults with no parental control is sickening!3 -
Poisonedpawn78 wrote: »I wonder how many people bashing on video games would consider earning 500k a month as successful. Yes there are people earning that much playing video games streaming and making videos.
That said if your idea of successful comes from the gym you arent going to get that by avoiding the gym.
There are several body builders who game as well. You just have to prioritize both if thats what you enjoy.
I know that, but people who make that much money are small percentage of players, and it's not helpful to drop anything else and chase pro gaming or popularity through gaming. My idea of success isn't from the gym, but it's a goal I have in mind, I want to be in artist I draw all day and changing from gaming to getting onto art will be my transition basically.5 -
pulsefiretf512 wrote: »people might say that video games have nothing to do with fitness, but i disagree, video games is an addiction, it'll make you lazier and less active, i used to play video games for more than 14 hours a day, sitting at my coach/chair forever is not going to benefit me in anyway, so I've made the drastic decision, and now i'm going to kick *kitten* in life, i'm going to start bodybuilding, and i'm going to start chasing my dream of being an artist, and i'm going to start programming and learning things i will wanted to learn.
Kudos to making a change in your life. My biggest issue with your post is this: "video games is an addiction, it'll make you lazier and less active" --> this is a hasty generalization, one that is not true for all people. Some people are addicted and their health does suffer from them, and there are other people who play video games and have none of these issues.3 -
I just wanted to say "well done".. you set your mind to it and you did it!! Good luck with the body building!!1
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From what you said, it's clear you made the right decision for you! As you progress in learning programming, or working as an artist, you may find you get a similar kind of pleasure, and it will be taking you in the direction you want to go. Congratulations on making your decision, and best of luck on your path. Stick with it - you can do it!1
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As a professional developer who has worked on some big name titles for fifteen years, I support the OP's decision. Video games aren't any better or worse than any other way to waste time enjoying yourself, but because they take longer, they are a very, very easy way to spend massive amounts of time, and not everyone can moderate them, just as not everyone can moderate a box of Oreo cookies. I'm childless but if I did have children their gaming time would be strictly limited. And as an adult, I have to make sure my gaming doesn't impinge on other things I should be doing.
@pulsefiretf512 - best of luck with your dreams! One bit of advice on being an artist and earning a living - find some people who have the situation you want, and ask them how they got there.7 -
I haven't really quit them I just don't find the motivation to log onto a gaming system as of late.1
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You're probably going to find that your art is more satisfying than what you were doing before. Fourteen hours a day of anything is a bit excessive, and I'm glad you discovered there's more to life than sitting on the couch!1
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I like video games but after an HR I get bored and have to do something else. My gaming is limited to sat or Sunday night. But yeah easy for people to get addicted to it.1
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Good for you!1
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Congrats for making a healthy choice for yourself!0
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I've been married 10 years, have 3 kids, work over 40 a week, and love gaming. Currently on a powerlifting program. Balance bro, got to have balance. Anything 1 thing for 14 hours a day is most likely dangerous.0
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