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Hey, I'm Antonio. I'm 18 years old, and I will quit playing video games. It all developed already when I was about 6 years old. My parents were always fighting, so I started to game on the old N64 of my brother to escape reality. I gamed all the time, but at the ages of around 12-13 it got a bit better because my parents got a bit more chill, but then Covid hit and it all started again. Because of that, I was so addicted I didn't do anything else anymore and I got fat too. The funny thing is after covid was over it got better again, but then my parents decided to move to a different cover and it all started again. Here I am now and realized completely how gaming changed my life. I don't wanna say something bad about it, games can still be fun, especially e.g. Mario Kart with friends, but the state where I am now is not good, so I'm quitting completely till I have full control over my life. If you read this thank you and I wish you the best!

You have a choice that you have consciously taken to be free of games. Knowing this, makes quitting an exciting option: you joined because you are no longer in denial. The habits are responsible for getting certain needs met. You have to identify what they (the needs) are and find replacement habits for them. This approach will reformat the habits in a way where you will struggle some, but you will also regain control of your life and become a healthy person. One of powerful choices that absentee gamers tell themselves they cannot afford is to ask for help. Asking for help (be it joining a health group, academic institution, work environment or a mentor) feels expensive to a gamer who has been trained by games to think he cannot afford anything. try to understand that as a young person you are the most valued and expensive member of your community. You can create a lot of benefits for your people. With this in mind, the corrupt thinking starts to self destruct. Asking for targeted help will open up potential to have sustained improvement without replapses.

Diary From 07/09/24 Day1 = clean Day2 = clean

Entry 8.9 ( Written on 9.9) Day 710: No Useless Videos Day 707: Sticking to Food schedule Day 310: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 15: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -My first official half-marathon competition 🙂 -4 hour "tour" walking around the city eith the family -Managing to eat all my meals on time before 19 despite going out with 1 thing better - dunno how many more times I'll have to erite it, but GQ in the evening

Day 63 So today I got some putty so I can practice some hand exercises, it had magnet in there that reacts the putty, the reason I got is because I need it for my occupational therapy (hand and arm exercises) was just using balls with beads before (enclosed beads you squeeze them). So I’m happy in this new direction, plus I been eating mostly fruit, veggies, oatmeal and omelet so far with no snacks and twice a day then try to walk the neighborhood when I can and walk the dog at the same time. Been doing this for three weeks (fruits and veggies) now and glad I did it becoming easier and one of my favorite fruits is honey melon or the green fruit. I’m still on my nerd fitness nutrition and I add that in so maybe there ways to improve nutrition like eating slower, putting down fork every time I take bite so like that. So I’m doing what I can but this some of the progress I made along the way as well went to my local church that I will soon be volunteering at. So I think that about it still reading book of Job chapter 32 as well as regular Bible plan. Grateful: 1.God 2.Angels 3.Safety 4.Bible 5.Church 6.Family 7.Dog 8.Friends 9.House 10.Car

Life is up and down but good overall. That guy at work is still causing havoc and managment won't fire him. But work overall is great bendy I'm leading multiple projects and those projects are going well. I'm getting great reviews from my colleagues and that has been nice. My son is sleeping a bit better. We altered his sleep schedule and it's working. I think my body and mind had to get used to the additional sleep and I think it's restoring other parts of my mind now. I've managed to write a bit and that's been nice. I'm also still on and off stressed with my family but that will never change. I'd like to include more stretching into my day. That's it for random thoughts lol.

Thank you. I've made a lot of progress and I feel better about this than when I was losing weight in 2020. I think I was losing it too fast back then and wasn't eating right. Now it's like a couple pounds a month and that's ok for me.

3 Sep - 7 Sep: The last few days have been tough on me intellectually and mentally. I have taken some steps towards better money management in my business (and in my life as well). I haven't made terrible decisions or spent money stupidly, but I have to rethink the allocation rather. It's mostly a question of planning, but it's still a challenge. It's not easy to write this, but I don't know whether my girlfriend and I will be together. I'd love to, and I will absolutely hate it if we split, but there's obviously a limit. Traveling and sports are such a large part of her life that even with effort from my side, I don't know if I can keep up. I'm not writing this to blame her (or perhaps to show that my choice of a girlfriend was poor), but to show the differences. Our relationship is built on such a tremendous amount of respect and tolerance that I think is really without many parallels in today's world. She motivates me to do more exercise though; I generally cycle, run or workout at least once a week for an hour or so, I also started physiotherapy and got shoes that by themselves improve my posture. On the bright side, she started looking for a potential new job and I'm happy to assist her with that, even if nothing comes out of it. She feels stagnant and bored in her current one, although she's more unhappy about the above. We came up with a plan though and we'll try to find a compromise.

I think you conflate meaning and addiction into one thing. I can agree that making a lot of money just for the sake of having a lot of money is a bad goal. It is a goal though, so the person has something to work on. The problem comes when/if this person reaches their goal. If this person doesn't have any other goals, they will fall into an "undefined limbo". This state is not easy on people, because they have no identity at this point and they don't know what to do. Without making consistent effort (being dedicated, perhaps addicted or having some meaning attached), they'll never be known for anything and never get anywhere. They won't build up a reputation as a hard worker by working hard once a year and they also won't build up a reputation of being kind to others by helping somebody once a year. I think that's why "working on something" is generally considered a virtue. If I had to hazard a guess, you derive a lot of meaning from (and perhaps are addicted to) being in opposition to "normal things" - your belief to not conform, to stand in opposition, gives your life meaning.

Entry 7.9 ( Written on 8.9) Day 709: No Useless Videos Day 706: Sticking to Food schedule Day 309: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 14: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -Morning workout -Found everything that was needed aprox 2 hrs in the shop -at least 2 pomodoros 1 thing better - still the same... Gq in evening

School is very tiring for me. I try to finish my homework as soon as possible so I have time to myself but it is hard. My high school is very academically challenging. I feel a lot of stress compared to when I was during summer break. People around me in school are more stressed than I am however and I do not like their lifestyle. It is as if the students are machines who have no sense of direction other than to study. I do not want to be like them because I do not want to waste my life doing things that make me unhappy. I know I am smart enough to find a way to be efficient while also doing well academically.

This thread is brought back for members to list the improvements after successful detoxes of at least three months. Please help by writing down successes in work, education, physical development, character, charitable initiatives.

i think that some people quit "forever", and yet drugs are pretty inherent to living in the Western world- it's really, really hard to get by without them. most people who i see "quit" here or elsewhere turn to other drugs- often without recognizing them as such. earning lots of money, attaining other status quo goodies, simply staying busy- all are encouraged and rewarded by societal structures. and that's the reason it is very hard for me to quit games- i don't conform, and not having those drugs at hand moves me towards gaming. when i first quit, i immediately jumped onto the "success via career development + social status" drug. now, i'm off of that one- and games are making a return. over the last year, slowly, they really have been crawling under my skin. i don't want to go back. i believe that there is a 3rd option, where i neither conform, nor compensate with gaming for the isolation that results in me standing my ground, living life my own way. and i'm looking for it, now.

Day 62 Another do nothing day, though I did shop for some putty and slime I could play with but kind of rejected them at the stores and will go tomorrow where I will get some. Part of this I need putty for my hand exercises. The other is kind of personal. But will get those tomorrow. Plus I’m still reading book of Job chapter 31 as well as my regular bible plan. Grateful: 1.God 2.Angels 3.Safety 4.Bible 5.Church 6.Family 7.Fog 8.Friends 9.Car 10.Eating healthy

Thank you for reminding me. After reading your comments, I realized that one thing I always struggle with is self-loathing. Whenever I experience those feelings, I tend to go back to gaming, and the loop continues. It has certainly become a habit, and changing habits is very hard. However, I know I have no other choice. I've been struggling with this for more than 10 years, and I understand that changing habits formed over such a long time cannot happen in just a few days. #total hours played = 208 +44 + 72 + 22 + 66 = 400 hours #relapse 9 - mixed = 66 hours which means 6 days straight about 11 hours each day from #relapse 8 I have nothing to say to my journey anymore. All I need to do right now is fight and fight and fight and get over this shit as fast as possible

Entry 6.9 ( Written on 7.9) Day 708: No Useless Videos Day 705: Sticking to Food schedule Day 308: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 13: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -Gone to airport in advance to pass check-in as planned -Made in time for the public transport I planned to get on both bus and train in the morning on the way to airport -Gonr to checkout the half marathon track which is planned for sunday 1 thing I could do better -Still do GQ in the evening

Day 61 Another good day, still did some pt and ot exercises as well following nerd fitness app. So what’s the goal here well first getting use to doing these activities everyday is the first goal so I have routine going then I will add some stuff on top of that like I have book for building career. That I like to get into at some point. While it may seem like I’m not doing much I’m actually transitioning away from online church and more into my YouTube videos as well as career books I have and complete a screenwriting book as well. Don’t worry I’m only focused on one thing at a time and right now YouTube is it but I’m hoping to add more later. That it for today still reading book of Job chapter 30 as well as regular Bible plan. Grateful: 1.God 2.Angels 3 Safety 4.Bible 5.Church 6.Family 7.Dog 8.Friends 9.Car 10.House

7 September I've got a new library book: Stephen King's 'Sleeping Beauties'. I am not on track to return it before its 3 weeks are up, but hope it gets auto-renewed. It's funny, but a little unlike 'IT' and 'The Stand' (also lengthy stories), I'm not quite excited enough about how the problem gets solved - but 1/4 through, it has potentially mentioned shared dreams, which might be interesting (no spoilers please!). In other matters, energy. I just went to buy groceries and met eyes with the same blonde lady 3-4 times. I couldn't really continue to do this, because I thought her expression was too shrewd, and I didn't feel much like launching into a kind of modest explanation of my day so far with her, as has happened with others. However, had I been in a kind of tornado-like state, say, anything from 'Hi, how are you?' or a quiet 'Hey', to the old 'Wow, you're a fox!' or 'What's cookin', good lookin'' may have come out, inhibition aside. ^ Basically, I'd have to be under some very positive stress to both blurt the latter out with sufficient purpose. That is, in a way, what I'm looking for - and it is something I had (when in learning mode) pre-puberty. Right now, I have slowed down some, and even though I've felt peaceful, I wonder what it is that makes so many people around me look uncomfortable in contrasting states, sometimes attracting (aggressive?) stares. This, ultimately, is what I don't want. Wheatbiscuit Senior seems to hang on everyone's every word with vigilance, ready for almost anything verbal, whilst relaxing his body. Because of my gaming, my eyes and ears are somewhat overactive too, but I have been forestalling my words for fear of heated debate, I guess. On my singular actual game, as of today, I have reached a kind of 'home stretch'. It is Spring now, and the weather has largely been fantastic. It has come to the last run of levels until the 'maximum', and to continue would take relatively little time to the profile's journey since 2022. I've done it once before on the same, long-lasting servers. Basically, while I was as motivated (as one can be) to sit and 'grind', I haven't been typing as excessively to others in-chat, nor have I been obsessed with rates of points, only how many were to be gained. -> The point is, this profile is better an expression of my thoughts/mood than the other one, and I was less concerned with 'perfection' (as opposed to perceived 'patience' it took for me by others, for the plentiful clicking). So Summer started to look appealing soon after I hit this checkpoint. Why can't Spring simply begin to as well, immediately starting now? It comes down to my memories and learned dangers regarding people. I haven't been ruminating much at all, except when I try to explain the occasional failures in my day to people in my head. That, I'm still working on. However, like the option(s) of bold declarations of love to strangers at the grocer's, my head still tells me, "No, don't do that." for a lot of things (and yet when it comes to gaming, I interpret 'no games at all' as 'take everything very seriously'). This is mostly helpful to get through many moments, but as I've thought on from a certain speaker, the alternative to taking (appropriate enough?) risks relating to people is a kind of self-destruction. Now, lifting weights and walking/jogging seems very beneficial, but it is also a refrain from loving and an alternative thing to look forward to. The trouble is, I can only really do 2-3 hours of vigorous exercise a day. 😗 What is love? Baybee don't hurt me! 😅 ____________ Gratitude: ~ Discovered a new, funnily-named band: Jack's Mannequin ~ The weather here (how many times can I say it?) ~ Perspective(s) + care given to me by the gym receptionist(s) ~ That life hasn't yet forced me to make communication 'do or die' all of the time, but it has come close Hoping you all get to feel well, Matt

Entry 5.9 ( Written on 6.9) Day 705: No Useless Videos Day 703: Sticking to Food schedule Day 306: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 12: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -1hr and 40min tempo run -9 pomodoros -30 minute walk with father. i think this was important since i've been in germany for 3 days, at least once i'll get to talk to him a bit in this short period, so that it wouldn't be in vain 1 thing I could do better -i think it's been enough time i've been journaliong the next day for the previous one, the best way to do it is journal in the evening at the end of the day + make sure the next day is completely planned before starting it. not only half way

Day 60 Wow 60 days can’t Believe it, funny thing is I don’t crave as much animation as I once did. That good thing. Passive animation not stuff I create in animation. Today was a do nothing day and probably ate too much yogurt so not much happening, I just went physical therapy but that about it. kind of felt bad all day so ate very little at least till I felt better. I think that it for today still reading book of Job chapter 29 as well as my regular Bible plan. Grateful: 1.God 2.Angels 3.Safety 4.Bible 5.Church 6.Family 8.Dog 9.Car 10.Money

dunno, seems pretty awesome to me! i think what you mean is that strangers wouldn't see much, which is applicable for most people's everyday hustling, imo. as someone who is familiar with you, however, i understand how big, contextually, all these changes are! i know it's well past the dentist visit, but sending hugs to the version of you who typed up that message. i also have a strong disdain for dentistry- every visit i just try to think about people who have it much worse (people on the frontline of ukraine, for example). does help me- most of the visits i remember through the people i imagined, not the tooth tinckering. hope you feel like your life is worth living, because it absolutely is. even in outmost isolation, we are making an impact on the world- and that matters above all else, to me.

Day 59 Another good day went my local church then got my haircuts. Still eating healthy had veggies for dinner as well as practicing eating slower chewing before take another bite rather than gulp down like what I used to do and discovered something. Eating chewing is an experience with food, as makes you appreciate it even more who knew be an experience we’re missing out on. Kind of weird to think of it that way but it’s true with the smell, taste is all experience for body, just like traveling to new countries is new experience. Just thought I share that: Plus finally did physical and occupational therapy as well. still reading book of Job chapter 28 as well as my regular bible plan. Grateful: 1.God 2.Angels 3.Safety 4.Bible 5..Church 6.Family 7.Dog 8.Cats (wild cats) 9.Friends 10.Car

Entry 4.9 ( Written on 5.9) Day 704: No Useless Videos Day 702: Sticking to Food schedule Day 305: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 11: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -27 hour-ish fast -4 pomodoros at the very least -Devoted 1 hour to deciding whether join SPI's All Access Pass because of their promotion, even though I decided negatively 1 thing I could do better -Drink more water, I think the fact I have been fasting with the added fact that I forgot to drink water after workout added up into a lot worst of a decision making on top of me being in another country of course. It took me around 3 hours to do groceries instead of the planned 1.5 hours (Including commutes)

Welcome to game quitters. Always good to see self awareness in young aspiring people. Do you know that there are many who say that the video gaming or other bad habits do not affect them? This is called denial and the best definition I could give it is refusing to observe the consequences of a harmful habit. I have seen journals on this forum where members tried controlling the time spent on video games and I have yet to see a successful case. So all cases were negative. Hope you have a fighting spirit to reclaim a healthy way.

Food Schedule Update (3.09-17.09) not including 17.9 Everything remains the same, apart for some adjustments because there were things lacking at the store or too expensive or it was unreasonable to buy them for 3 days, like a whole big cabbage... and also the next purchase is going to be in an unfamiliar place again so starting 6.9 i allow myself to have one more change till the 9.9 so for now the additions are - 150g peas instead of 130| 70g lentils instead of 40g quinoa 60g raisins instead of dates 60g peeled edamame insted of shelled oranges instead of apple and cabbage all the rest remains the same all this is to be reversed once I'm back in Spain unless something unexpected occurs during the grocery purchase yet again (Since there were a lot of changes, I allow myself to write updates here during the first breakfast i make during this plan and lunch, just in case i made any errors and forgot to mention something, if not, it holds., Changes after purchase in England - 07-september -35g dry lentils equals 100g of shelled edamame or 60g of peeled edamame allowed to be interchanged since the store didn't have edamame -peaas 170g a day allowed -oil is some sort o combined oil not clearly olie oil 1 per 1 -2 tomatoes allowed instead of 1 -1 and a half carrots are allowed instead of 1 -bananas up to 2 allowed Hopefully I didn't forget anything... if I did - today may still add critical changes