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Entry 2.4 Day 77: No Useless Videos Day 909: Sticking to Food schedule Day 512: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 60: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -4 pomodoros at the very least -Setting very achievable pomodoro goal -Afternoon workout back shoulders stairs 1 Thing I could do better -having planned the time I'll need to transition after the mastermind meeting so that I don't go to bed later than planned Gaming (Death, Slavery, Regret, Disease) - 5 Yan (Life, Individuality, Freedom, Purpose, Self-Fulfillment) - 77

I do not think it is the Dota per se that makes you go overtime, its the need of escape that dota fulfills and allows you to completely let go of the schedule. It is probable in my opinion that even if you succeed not touching Dota ever, you'll find that shelter in another game. I'd suggest you go cold turkey on games for 90 days and give yourself the time to find another hobby you could fulfill this need with. This is just a thought though. In any case its a big step, and I have been wrong before, so it is perfectly okay if you start with your original plan and if any difficulties arise later adjust accordingly. So I congratulate you and wish you to keep taking action! How long do you want to go without Dota?

Entry 1.4 (Written on 2.4) Day 76: No Useless Videos Day 908: Sticking to Food schedule Day 511: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 59: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -Sticking to schedule in an almost perfect manner until the very evening, going overtime only when I saw I'm not reaching output goal -Afternoon jog -Writing out the breakfast stages that I'll measure before starting the preparation - ending up cooking and preparing breakfast completely on time. 1 Thing I could do better -Write out the complete workbook dreaft before starting to fill it out from the perspective of a tester, otherwise I'm bogging myself down dramatically. Gaming (Death, Slavery, Regret, Disease) - 5 Yan (Life, Individuality, Freedom, Purpose, Self-Fulfillment) - 76

Hi, I'm Marina, a health writer with The Epoch Times based in New York. I'm currently working on an in-depth article exploring how games draw people in, and I'd be very interested to hear from you—how you got into gaming, what initially appealed to you, and when (if at all) you felt gaming shifted from a net positive to a net negative in your life. I've previously written a similar piece on screen time and mental health. This upcoming story will be similar in style and depth. For reference, here's the article: https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/the-silent-epidemic-eating-away-americans-minds-5560857?utm_source=epochHG&utm_campaign=marinazhang If you're interested in sharing your story or have any questions, feel free to reply here or email me via the contact listed in my byline. Thanks!

Starting again,I want to forget about dota 2 completely because it keeps me away from doing anything productive. Its only dota 2 though, I can play other games and then forget about it but if I open dota 2 then I stop caring about everything else and just play for the rest of the day.

We actually don't do that much cardio with the weighs, but the muscles do get sore afterwards. There's little reason to push it to the absolute limit, just to be completely sore for the next four days 😄 If I wanted to fully load the weights, they'd both have 10 kilograms, though there's currently no need for that. Anyhow, I'm fairly happy to be with a sporty girlfriend, it definitely helps me to keep in a better shape.

It sounds good to me, having not much happening to speak of, that is - I thought the loose plan I shared last Friday was good until the time came later to march ahead with it. Stress ensued. I could imagine how personal weights training with a (an actual kindred) partner would go for me - maybe 30-40 minutes of facing each other opposite with constant, improvised and repeated sets until breathless, or something. My first few 'dates' were all tag-along (for her) exercise. I'm a really smart guy. LoL - Did you go the whole hog and buy extra screw-on plates as heavy as multiple 5kg/11lbs?

Entry 31.3 Day 75: No Useless Videos Day 907: Sticking to Food schedule Day 510: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 58: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -pomodoro output goals completed 11th day -Afternoon workout -Gone out to sun 1 Thing I could do better -Write out breakfast detailed plan of which parts to measure with the clock to improve effectiveness, do that on Thursday evening if i remember and if i live until then as always Gaming (Death, Slavery, Regret, Disease) - 5 Yan (Life, Individuality, Freedom, Purpose, Self-Fulfillment) - 75

Day 83: house work is well underway and has taken up 90% of any free time I have. it'll be most of this week but by this weekend it should be wrapped up. 7 more days! 💪

Hey Dean! Welcome to the forum, glad to have you here. It sounds like achievement / showing progress is important to you. It's one of the "needs" that gaming fills and is called out in Respawn, the guide attached to Game Quitters. The 90 day detox will force you to find hobbies to replace the needs that gaming filled. It's not just a mentally engaging activity that shows progress - there's also low-energy resting and social aspects of it too. Gaming fills a lot of needs, and you'll need a few hobbies to fill the void It's worth committing to a firm detox. I'm just shy of 90 days in and I'm now reading more books, more engaged and present in my relationship and with my kids, able to focus way better, and sleeping way better. 90 days is enough that you'll hit stressful moments in your life and be forced to deal with it without resorting to gaming as a crutch. After that, you can choose if you abstain longer or how to gradually reintroduce it into your life in a healthy way instead of as an escape. Best of luck, hope to see more journal entries from you, Kam

Don't worry, it's OK to vent. Sorry to hear your father has a bad influence on you.

22 Mar - 30 Mar: Nothing much happened this past week. Spent some time with my girlfriend, attended some seminars/talks with her and watched some films too. Did a good job exercising with her, as I bought weights last weekend too. Visited my family too.

Entry 30.3 Day 74: No Useless Videos Day 906: Sticking to Food schedule Day 509: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 57: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -pomodoro output goals completed 10th day -waking up at 4 10 am despite the clock having moved forward which means I woke up at 3 10 am actually if we count by the old clock -3 emails to real estate agencies 1 Thing I could do better -Look for gloves to wear at home after the shower since my cracks started reappearing after the run in the cold and a cold shower in the morning, I assume if I avoid the cold wind after the shower it may help prevent cracks possibly. Gaming (Death, Slavery, Regret, Disease) - 5 Yan (Life, Individuality, Freedom, Purpose, Self-Fulfillment) - 74

One more day in the pocket. Keep us posted 🙂

Entry 29.3 Day 73: No Useless Videos Day 905: Sticking to Food schedule Day 508: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 56: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -pomodoro output goals completed 9th day -afternoon workout -calling a few more agencies (one of which ended up calling me back also, but that wasn't in my control, what was is calling a few of them 🙂 ) 1 Thing I could do better -Move a bit faster after last pomodoro, so that I'd also make the word document for the mastermind Gaming (Death, Slavery, Regret, Disease) - 5 Yan (Life, Individuality, Freedom, Purpose, Self-Fulfillment) - 73

Hi everyone, I'm Dean or as my Playstation username refers to me as - (AUSTRALIANDJ) XD Basically, I still love gaming but I am finding it harmful and a hinderance to my life. I've video gamed since I was 4 or 5, and I'm 36 now. I grew up playing the Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64, where I'd thoroughly enjoy completing all sorts of games to "beat them" or unlock the 100%, secret ending, extra characters you name it. I was an only child so my parents invested in gaming consoles, to make sure I wasn't too bored. What I basically found happening, was even though I was a great student at school, and played sport on the weekends, that the gaming was the activity that excited me the most. I'd constantly be in our rumpus room, gaming away and my parents would a have a rule which was if I had an hour on I'd have to have an hour off before I could play more. That hour off was pretty much me time watching until I could play once again. Fast forward to high school/adolescent years, and I was still living at home as a 19/20 year old, gaming away. I'd got an xbox 360 for free with a phone deal and had enjoyed completing achievements on my xbox profile for years. Having a record of all the games you complete and being able to compare yourself to others really livened me up. I had a bit of a purpose. I was single and while I'd still completed my schooling well and gone to uni to do training to become a teacher, gaming still lit my fire. My dad bought me a Playstation 4, after I'd bought an xbox one one year and I was really bemused as to why he thought I needed both generation of consoles. My completionist behaviour was pretty bad as it was, and the Playstation system with their platinum trophies just enticed me like nothing before. Having clear cut rules and guides to follow to achieve specific tasks and having the record track it - gave me an identity. I also met numerous gamers on my journey which some are my best friends today. Some still game and some don't. I've completed probably a good 300 or so games to earn platinum trophies and the 8-10 years most recently, I've slaved away to make my profile a 100% profile. I've sat there for days to ensure I have difficult games on my profile, as well as multiple games from different genres and i've enjoyed most of those experiences. What I find troubling is when I'm sitting there all day on the Playstation and my gamer friends still have time to go to the gym and go to sleep when I can bring myself to stop. Healthy routines aren't even a thing when I game and I feel guilty thinking that this is not how I should be living my life at all. One game Gems Of War, I've probably put about 3000 plus hours into just because its a grindy piece of crap that forces me to play daily to attain the goals I wanted to attain. Perfectionist much? The past 6 months or so, I was recovering from a relationship breakup, these happened somewhat frequently and whilst my girlfriends at the time, would encourage me to do what I enjoyed, I wouldn't be prioritising them and ending up losing them from my life as other activities were boring and I'd prefer to stay home. I still work Monday to Friday as a teacher and somewhat have my life together financially, but I'm not happy. My last relationship if i wasn't gaming I guess maybe I wouldn't have been ditched. She didn't want to change me and it was only a short relationship, but it made me look at myself and be really upset with where I was at. I'd spend my 2 weeks off on school holidays gaming essentially. I just feel like I'm worth more than this, but it still lights my fire. I signed up for a men's development program in October that really helped me adjust some of my ways, and one of my fellow brothers told me to get rid of the games in January. I packed them up in the cupboard and touched them twice in approximately a 3 month period - so I've kind of already done a detox so to speak. On that however, I havent been able to fill that void yet, and today I got the console back out of the cupboard with some really stressful events in my life and I craved some mindfulness farming on Stardew Valley. Noticing these cravings and tuning into them is great, but I'm trying to see what I can learn from game quitters and hopefully be able to mitigate these feelings or stresses I want to avoid while also finding a more meaningful purpose in my life. I appreciate anyone who reads this and I'd love to hear from those with similar experiences. Thanks Dean

Entry 28.3 Day 72: No Useless Videos Day 904: Sticking to Food schedule Day 507: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 55: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -pomodoro output goals completed 8th day -afternoon workout -Calling 1 real estate agency and real estate course place to find out information 1 Thing I could do better -Planned the day from the day before Gaming (Death, Slavery, Regret, Disease) - 5 Yan (Life, Individuality, Freedom, Purpose, Self-Fulfillment) - 72

Day 80: 10 more days! excited to complete the detox. putting together a plan of how I want to approach all of this after the detox is done

Entry 27.3 Day 71: No Useless Videos Day 903: Sticking to Food schedule Day 506: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 54: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -Completing pomodoro output goals 7th day in a row. am i onf fire or what -afternoon jog -Calling job agency in Germany once more and having them hang up on me twice 😉 The calling is what counts though 🙂 1 Thing I could do better -After the video meeting of 21, start the evening routine earlier Gaming (Death, Slavery, Regret, Disease) - 5 Yan (Life, Individuality, Freedom, Purpose, Self-Fulfillment) - 71

Such a great point here, Yan. I love the use of "push and pull". Pushing is hard, getting pulled feels a lot better. I remember days where I didn't think about gaming because I was so engrossed in a personal project. It's hard to come by those moments now, mainly because with young kids I'm exhausted by the end of the day and just want to relax, but it's still possible. I do need to set some new long term goals. I'm at the point I want to be in my life (great job, family, kids, etc.) but there's still more I can do to continuously improve. Especially with exercise! Day 79 looking good!

Entry 26.3 Day 70: No Useless Videos Day 902: Sticking to Food schedule Day 505: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 53: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -Completing pomodoro output goals 6th day in a row. Gotta remember to set realistic goals as I did today. -Afternoon workout [Back, shoulders, stairs] -Calling job agency in Germany and writing them another email 1 Thing I could do better -Check out AI that translates text to explainer videos instead of plowing through the animation script, but probably I'll keep that one for the next iteration already Gaming (Death, Slavery, Regret, Disease) - 5 Yan (Life, Individuality, Freedom, Purpose, Self-Fulfillment) - 70

Reflection does clear your mind more than no reflection 🙂 The thing that comes top of mind as you write these lines, that we must have a push and a pull. Both discipline and push away from the gaming world, and a pull towards some other direction in the form of long term goals. I don't know if I already wrote this to you, but I recommend the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, in very big part because of Habit 2 f the book "Begin with the end in mind", but because of all the rest too! Hope this helps 🙂

Day 78: I spent a lot of time yesterday writing about my view on negative habits and escapism. I've learned a lot from this detox... and I've learned that it's not just video games that can cause these types of issues. The obvious one is doom-scrolling on Tiktok or Reddit. Any kind of artificial dopamine hits for surface-level entertainment. You can't just think your way out of this problem. There is no way I would have gotten this level of understanding while still playing video games. I needed to detox to see what the real problems were. Avoidance and escapism are cemented at the top of the problems in my life. I've caught myself trying to engage in other bad habits that do the same thing. Now, I've learned (the hard way!) that the solution for avoidance and escapism is to address the root of the thing causing your stress head-on. You can solve any problem you face.

Thanks Amph. That was basically my high school motto, and it was always at the back of my mind - until all the effort in the world wasn't good enough for important people in my life. Ah, don't I love bringing that up? _________ Update: I spent a week online after a weak 'good morning' of sorts from wheatbiscuit senior (yeah, disappointed there yet again). That felt different (and preceded) the last 3 days, when I tried to resume the 'ultimate level goal' again. It's so stupid, and only 20% of it is fun, I just get on a roll until it's too late to avoid the pain and regret afterward. Will try harder to order my life more, regardless. _________ Today I had offline therapy, and that also came along quickly. I had a good vent/emptying-out, though on the walk home, I saw someone that I thought was either having sudden substance withdrawal pangs or was actually in natural, gut-wrenching emotional pain; you can't make up the expression that was on his face - and I couldn't approach him. Something didn't seem right. I stopped to look back, as I thought someone was going to talk to him, but no one really did. There was a compelling force and a mental image to sit down by the person, share their pain and maybe join in with some tears, but my feet wouldn't take me backward or fully stop. Not only that, but someone who'd had kind words for me who I would recognise anywhere walked by me a block afterward. E-games or no e-games, I keep avoiding growth opportunities like them. That's my real problem. __________ Maybe there are lots of people who are safe and sane for me to be with and not have to overcompensate around. I just receive so many doubtful signals from within and out - anxiousness. There are patterns of reactions I'm often aware of, and as my Dad often explains, 'No good deed goes unpunished'. I suppose that's like saying 'Don't 'virtue-signal'/expect a rewarding feeling for doing good'. I should look harder, too, for avenues to just do good out of habit. Today's workout turned out positive, after a couple of mental and physical barriers. At the risk of IDing myself, I probably sweat the most in the place by a mile. I don't like that much - for mess and towelling off frequently - but there was pride in it. Have at me for using that e-crutch some more, I guess. Peace out. ~ Wheat

Entry 25.3 Day 69: No Useless Videos Day 901: Sticking to Food schedule Day 504: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 52: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -Completing pomodoro output goals 5th day in a row. Giving extra effort, don't know how good the voiceover will be but it is what it is, if people will hit me or not watch none of it so be it -75% effort run -8 concentrated work units + some without documentation 1 Thing I could do better -finish the tasks earlier, Gaming (Death, Slavery, Regret, Disease) - 5 Yan (Life, Individuality, Freedom, Purpose, Self-Fulfillment) - 69