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It's really the same for me. I find organizing such trips stressful and mostly not worth the effort to even write others about it. I can do "my things" anywhere too, so I don't need to leave either. I found out that "taking a break" to change my perspective on some long-term projects doesn't really work. My girlfriend rightly called me out on the fact that I talk about some things more than I actually do them. I'm more acutely aware of such unfinished business when I am on a "true" holiday than when I'm in my normal workweek. What do you mean by the whole "rocks" thing? I tried to get it through my head, but I'm still missing the point 😄 Travel recommendations are tough and I'd say pointless, unless you know what type of places you want to visit. My girlfriend loves active holidays with lots of hiking, nice nature, viewpoints and not many people. I don't think it's my passion as much as its hers, but I know that light/medium exercise (which hiking is) is good for me and I need to do it as much as possible. The above means we need to look for nice places that are not a) overcrowded and overpriced tourist traps and b) too much for me to hike. Other people prefer to just walk from the hotel to the sea for two weeks straight. It really depends on your taste. Really? Thank you! 😄 I started writing about personal finance in Czech (my native language) two-three years ago, kept the concepts, and officially launched the website in August last year or so. It's something I can combine with some philosophy, it's practical and I can share it with my friends directly, FB or even LI. Writing essays on philosophy/psychology in English is generally less relatable and I haven't had the taste to write something like that in a long time.

I can only speak for myself: - I gave away all my valuable in-game stuff - I deleted all of my gaming accounts I had relapsed once before doing the above, and the thought of having to start from scratch helps to cope with urges to play. I just cannot be bothered, and most of all: after the relapse I realised that I cannot game moderately. I journaled here online, daily for the first few weeks after quitting. It was helpful to get my thoughts out somewhere. In progress! 😅 Quitting gaming opens up a lot of free time. I'm still struggling with internet addiction but overall I am a healthier person with more hobbies: running, lifting, gardening, reading ... You get all these opportunities to re-discover your interests and re-shape yourself. The first period definitely sucks though. So much boredom! Good luck.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your journey towards no more doom scrolling and more productivity!

First of all, I'm not a mental health expert at all (I work in tech - software). So, this is just my opinion based on personal experience and thought. Addiction isn't just a feeling, though it certainly has to do with such. Addiction is when the behavior (given circumstances) causes irrational harm and one still engages in it over and over again. Are you neglecting responsibilities you would otherwise address? If you confidently and reasonably answer "no" then chances are, in my unqualified opinion, that you are not addicted to gaming. That your current approach to gaming is probably moderate/reasonable. Perhaps you are feeling like your current approach as "addictive" (i.e., at risk.of developing into an addiction). That would be a pretty wise observation. A lot of times we only question our desires and behaviors after we have personnally suffered consequences. If you set yourself boundaries now, and hold yourself accountable (rather then finding excuses) when you break them, well... I think your on a good path. I say "good path" because there is no universal "right path". Not all gamers become addicted. Regarding your last sentence... would you say that boredom/dissatisfaction extends overall of sorts? Like do you feel "chronically bored" per se? In that case you probably should talk to a therapist. It's possible that you suffer from mild or moderate depression, in which case yeah, you would be more vulnerable to develop an addiction. Everyone feels bored or disatisfied at times. The sentient experience... it's like we're always jumping from one sense of satisfaction, get acclimated, and jump to another. However, it would be worrying if you didn't have the will to make the more effective jumps, for whatever reason. Anyways, maybe you should speak to a psychotherapist. You'll almost surely get more accurate answers for yourself there, though it can be too expensive or unnaccessible in your area. It's like... don't wait for that lump or bump to grow and cause more pain before having it checked, so to speak. Good luck and take care.

Hello Game Quitters!! I'm a recovering social media addict One thing I keep hearing from recovering gaming addicts, is that they replaced gaming with another hobby Since doomscrolling took so much of my time, I made a list with different types of activities (social, resting, mental challenge and explore) to satisfy my boredom. What I want to achieve with getting rid of my addiction, is to focus on academics. However, I quit 25 days ago and my productivity (studying) hasn't really increased.. Should I work on replacing Scrolling with Studying? How can I do that? I already try to "gamify" studying but I'm so distracted by cravings and irritability... Thank you all for being here, on this forum :)

Entry 04.05 (Written on 05.05) Day 583: No Useless Videos Day 580: Sticking to Food schedule Day 184: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 175: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -8 pomodoros -Wash room floor -Made a custom weekly schedule including food schedule. planning everything with deliveries instead of gym + making enough place for job search and at least 8 blog pomodoros and workout and deliveries and brother's bday. Even though it took me an extra 1hr 45min I believe it will save some headache in the long run 🙂 1 Thing I could do better -Still try to stick to timeframe even though the changes are large, because this delay caused me to do 3 hours less of deliveries, and eat in very small spaces, which made my digestive juices rise when I rode. (Note: this might also be because the lentils and quinoa have been cooked with relatively little water)

May 5 Yeah, I'm back on in the morning here, but I had a badly-ended-feeling dream and became convinced of its meaning. It probably also had something to do with leaving a window open all night, I say. As a disclaimer, I'm not sure why this should be on the GQ forums, but it appears that I also had to dream about a relapse. Last Sunday (it feels ages ago because of my mood), a new gym friend and I were kind of approached by a 50 year old lady whilst sitting on the edge of a coffee shop entrance. She wanted to find this theatre, so to make a kind of group mission about it, I suggested we walk her there - this happened to end with two sets of free tickets to the first show (a drama) then a slightly smaller comedy show. All went quite well, until the next day when my friend told me to go 'ghost' on the lady after we did contact details. From years of internet use, I thought I detected a problem (between them?), but technically, it could also have been nothing. There were a couple of 'red flags', but also some white ones (surrender, perhaps to 'good', lol) from her on Sunday. Either way, I've felt bad about it for not seeking her side of any story. My overriding loyalty (or attraction) was with my gym friend, but to my guilt, this lady seemed to possess more my 'kind' of humanity. My dream finished with two people from school (who I don't think I'm on bad terms with), and a lady of the same physical build as last Sunday, in a car, while one schoolmate went to buy gas/food. All I remember was my kind of monologue-y apologies for missing a date and trying to rebuild ties with the other school-chum by starting a game of cards. Reception was not great. ____________________ My mom is visiting at the end of week, most likely around the day that I'll not 'have' to keep registering votes for my ex-game (in order to obtain a 'cloak' item). It's funny; there is pretty much nothing that I want to actually play the game for. The main attraction ended up being random conversations with people online, and I also find those conversations and better here - just a little slower. 😛 ____________________ Gratitude: ~ successfully arriving early at the men's group viewing of Star Wars ~ not 'losing it' on the truly-crowded public transport ~ the relatability I felt to others most of last night ~ oatmeal Catch you later + peace, ~ Matt

Starting university, I decided to trully focus on my academics. After experiencing the worst year of my life, I decided to quit doom scrolling. Didn't think of myself as an "addict", scrolling mindlessly on social media is such a normalized activity.. how could it be an addiction? I would see youtubers quitting doomscrolling and on day 1, their productivity would increase. They would study, go out more.. For me, that was NOT the case... In every attempt I made in quitting, I was irritable, experienced anhedonia and anger, as well as boredom. My relapses, also, were a bit.. intense. I would stay in the same position, for 6-8 hours, scrolling. Without eating or drinking water. On April 10th 2024, I decided to finally quit doomscrolling. I almost had a few slipbacks.. but I am managing. In the meantime, I'm focusing more on my schoolwork, and I've completed an online course! Made a list of hobbies/activities to keep myself occupied. It's not easy, but I know there is hope. My goal is to devote myself in my passion for engineering and enjoy the journey of becoming a knowledgeable and skillful engineer!

Entry 03.05 (Written on 04.05) Day 582: No Useless Videos Day 579: Sticking to Food schedule Day 183: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 174: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -8 pomodoros -order from grocery store very quickly -7.5 hrs deliveries 1 Thing I could do better -I believe I'll increase my consumption of some of the nuts I bought and compensate for the difference with my regular "Osher ad" stre visit which is planned in about a week. They also have nuts at fine prices. Food Schedule update(Starting 07.05 'till 21.05 not including the 21)- I'll start with the ingredients I have 'till the next osherad purchase. Then purchase all the things that are lacking, again, may always go for less but never more) 1 day after 4 hour ride + Workout of about 1 hr (If not completed these requirements - revert to old schedule) 1. Added 20 g Tahini 2. Added 35g almonds 3. Added 30g peas 4. Added 20g olive oil 5. Omitted chickpeas for now For Saturday-Sunday (In case I go over 7 hours) 1. Brazil 15g instead of 4-9 2. Tahini 70g instead of 50 3. Walnuts - None 4. Olive oil 100ml instead of 30ml 5. Green peas 200g instead of 100g 6. Coconut oil - 100ml 7. Two-Three carrots remain the same as usual on saturday 8. Peanut butter - None 9. Almonds remain 50g 50g separated into two meals In case under 7 hours the same as today (2-3 carrots. orange+apple+cabbage, 60g peanut butter, 45x2 walnuts, 55x2 almonds) Don't know If I can handle it, but I can always go for less... Upd 04.05 7:13 AM - I may still change this food schedule 'till I start with it (For now it seems I'll go with it even in case I do just 3 hours of deliveries and 1 hr workout. So that I stay with a calorie surplus)

Happy Star Wars day! May the 4th be with you. The men's group I'm in is doing a viewing of the first Star Wars movie. It's in the evening and far away, and I don't know if I can face that feeling on my own as I do. I'll ask if anyone's departing from the same location as me, but still. I picked up the last essentials from the grocer's. Fully stocked, I am. Grateful, I shall be. 😛 I've also been watching a social issue YouTube video. *sigh* I like the hosts and they aren't particularly addictive. I now feel more curious on the topic, but also sadder for it. To be honest, it was the least of all the evils recommended to me on the home page. I was bored, and so far the second book this time borrowed from my nan is a little less humane reading. I've felt like the last few days were actually avoidance of gaming rather than replacing them. However, I'm still pretty sure that I'd have to force fun situations while gaming, and like my ex said, it would be unlikely to improve the world as we or I know it. That's all. Gratitude: ~ the grocery store restocked their fabulous-of-late oranges ~ the energy to happily wear my weights vest and walk without music ~ a weird but positive dream where my mom trained with me at a gym ~ surviving some heavy rain whilst out walking last night Enjoy the start of the weekend; I'll possibly update later ~ Matt

hey! imo, that's you simply being hard on yourself. people who appear at 100% simply don't criticize themselves. that's literally all it takes. it doesn't mean they're doing any better performance-wise. but they definitely appear although they are. i've been in that 10-20% the whole evening today. it has sucked. but as soon as i wrote the statement above, i felt ignited to do the right thing again. have you read 'courage to be disliked'? may be of help to you ❤️

Imo, that is the myth of meritocracy, and quite plainly so. yes, we exist within the same temporality, but our privileges and abilities and experiences create differences that at times may be impassable. such a statement ignores disability, race, gender, and many other identity-based systems of separation and oppression. yes, a lot of things are technically possible for you . but that does not necessarily mean you actually can do those things. we all need to look to our strengths, and continuously work towards personal and collective liberation, cuz that's the only way towards actually becoming more 'all the same'. ❤️

I spent awhile to find an in to reply to - only that the idea of traveling for me now is mostly about its importance to who I'd be with. There's never a shortage of things at home that I forget to think about and then take pleasure in seeing properly. It's because a) Major insight has come slowly these days and, b) I can do trips 'within' anywhere; why leave? Then there might be the whole 'rock' in the relationship deal, like the patterns of grounded-ness as opposed to who's an expert on what. I would honestly prefer to be one of two rocks, but hey. I'm curious about Europe, but I'd probably just as soon as meet someone from there online, talk at length with them and then take a bunch of recommendations and not end up searching it curiously on my own. I just re-read your blog by the way; whenyoupostmoar? 😅

29 April - 3 May: The first day was the toughest, as we spent several hours in the car and I had a headache the next one from the experience. The trips have been nice otherwise, mostly the ones where we go to the nature. Some of the places are really beautiful. Though I am getting a hunch that the whole traveling thing isn't my cup of tea, or definitely not something I'd do every day off. Maybe once or twice a year. But being a self-employed teacher means that I'd just never take a holiday just to spend it at home, in my usual setting. It's a tough thing to truly prioritize and to start with personal/business projects/ideas that are always put off for "later", because I just never find the time.

All, Here is the second part of my post. My last post was just a few minutes ago. I played Dungeons and Dragons for the past 15 years. It is a game I don't think I am addicted to. It is a table top game that I used to play with a friend in person but he moved away so now I can only find people online to play with as I don't have many other friends locally. Question is what do you think of other forms of entertainment like Dungeons and Dragons? Are they also harmful or good? Is playing either in person or online harmful? How do I know whether I should avoid a hobby or entertainment? I am so confused even if I should give up gaming. Thank-you so much for your time and help.

All, I have gotten back into gaming a few years ago after a break of a couple of decades. It is a long story but I had gift points that could only be redeemed for prizes so I got my first game system with the points and started gaming again. I did take the quiz but have a couple of other questions. I will ask the second question in another topic as I think people usually address topics better with separate posts. 1) What is the feeling of addiction? I do feel I want to play a lot but I don't know if that is from addiction or just wanting to play a fun game? I am not sure if I should stop or if games are just a fun thing to do. Though to be honest with you I have a weird combination of wanting to play and also boredom with the selection of games that causes me to search for better games

same here I am also struggling with severe backbone pain issue because of my gaming addiction.

Entry 02.05 (Written on 03.05) Day 581: No Useless Videos Day 578: Sticking to Food schedule Day 182: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 173: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -2 hrs job search -5.5 hrs physical activity (Deliveries+workout) -7 pomodoros 1 Thing I could do better -Start a count of at least 8 pomodoros before 18 in the evening, the last part of day is where I'd rather do simpler tasks like a job or moving the body, they help maintaining more alert, thus doubling the productivity, If it's the other way around I mostly just doze off.. However this will have to depend on the kind of job I'll get... but for now as I do deliveries I may do that probably...

May 3 Gratitude: ~ largely undisturbed sleep ~ having the sense after a warm-up walk not to use the gym unhinged (EDIT: went in afternoon) ~ the supervisor at my grocer's spurs to put my resume in again there ~ affordable yoghurt (at the other grocer's 😅) ___________________ I read this second latest murder mystery novel in 3 days (it was roughly Harry Potter books 1 to 3-sized). Again, I must have a weakness for stuff that came out in the 2000s. The leader of the investigation was just a normal guy who avoids stress, and there weren't many prejudices in it. The drawback was sometimes I felt like demanding of thin air that the killer be revealed and the mystery be over before its finish, instead of enjoying the simple craft of it. It seems silly when my wits return, to feel down that I wasn't up for another 'cracker' of a workout this morning - having only had 1 day rest after the last one - but I thought I'd have all of the same relieved energy flooding back as I had felt my first period of abstinence. I've found myself yearning for the 'surprise button' that Alan Watts proposed that anyone in complete control of their life would eventually want for life to be fun again. Watching 50-100 players zoom around a virtual landscape, 'talking' randomly was kind of like that. I mean, I know from some reading that darker personalities absolutely need things like that in order to feel alive, but for me it's about patterns and predictability. If I had them, I wouldn't need so much else. I feel that I've 'worked' most of that through within myself already. Well, that might be enough pouring out for today. Hope to catch y'all this weekend, ~ Matt

I read once of a 'successful' mindset that we should consider ourselves as all the same (and with the same 24 hours per day). When I went to a theatre drama last weekend, I tried to imagine that I had no more unique energy than the actors and actresses, or vice versa. I scared myself for a bit then, thinking that they had to be taking drugs or something between their appearances on stage. That's probably more wrong as it remains much more of a guess than the things I've read about pornographic actresses (and actors, perhaps) going through to produce what has been out there for anyone to use at a whim. I think of the seemingly mere 10-20% of my day that I feel really unified and benevolent towards everyone I come across compared to simply feeling 'switched on' or 'of use' all of the time - but rarely my concentrated self. Which of them is right? Maybe I've just forgotten in the just 1-2 weeks I've felt under the weather how to get through the day, and after 3 weeks without gaming again. (Hey, Po, well done) 🫣

Day 4. Still going well. My addiction now causes disgust, rather than complacency. glad to be here.

May 2 It's another weak moment; getting a great workout, followed by sleep and then the routine walk in the morning, - with an appropriate jacket in some rain - and then not celebrating it on an online game where everyone feels invincible and stuff. The second book and murder mystery novel I've borrowed from my nan is great too; so great and published in the early 2000s that I've been feeling sad and longing for days before I even knew online gaming existed. Its characters were already teenagers. That's a new kind of nostalgia for me. This still doesn't dissuade me from the realisation that I'm actually safer away from online gaming grinds, but they went on for so long. And like it's been said, clicking around for rushing images and repetition to good music felt like an identifiable skill I had, part of my identity. I read a little last night about a men's social concept that still seems too raw/rough to even accept as a reality, and even during my last relapse, I had different, possibly just-as-viable ideas about what being a man/masculinity is. I imagine even here among us that there would be differing ones. Post away if inclined 👐 _______________ Gratitude: ~ a fixed-up routine meal day's start ~ walking shoes ~ the use of a free hooded jumper from Christmas that had been in my wardrobe for 4 months until now that the weather's getting cooler - having exercised in the rain yesterday wearing my first one, lol ~ falling back asleep again when jolted awake after 4 hours (though now I know even getting more than that can be a luxury) Peace, ~ Matt

Entry 1.05 (Written on 02.05) Day 580: No Useless Videos Day 578: Sticking to Food schedule Day 181: Eating Only between 06:30 and 19:00 (Last bite before 19:00) Day 172: Being in bed before 23:15 3 Things I did well no matter how small -Attending a job interview quite far from home and giving this gig a chance as mentioned in the previous post, because I want it to quickly give an answer to my employment for the short term -Almost 24 hour fast (two meals skipped -Almost 6 hours of physical activity (Workout + deliveries) despite fasting (Jeez hope I don't disappear cuz I'm already underweight and this makes my calrie deficit even bigger =/) 1 Thing I could do better -In the interview I could remember to emphasize the fact that even though I got fired I was improving all the time. (I just said that I felt that it was a corporate thing and possibly the results of the department were bad and they needed to do something to show the upper management they're doing efforts by firing me...

Hey dude, how are things going? I thought I'd bump this journal thread of yours - nicely spelt reminiscent! 😛 So I played the same game for the last 10+ years, suffice that even looking at 'the best gear' was just another 'thing'. I don't know what it's like to have the ability to master a long list of games, and quickly at that - in case that's what you've done. But one thing I've been more aware of this time, as opposed to my detox last year, is how much time I spend thinking about real world activities (helped by reading the news and fiction novels, as well as journals here). When it's time to actually do something, like the gym or a walk, - or even more computer activity job-searching - I find it's already mapped out in my head. The point is, I learnt something different from relapsing and quitting the second time, though I felt just as desperate. Anyway, for a change, it hasn't been like 'oh s***, I need to face real life again after all these blissful-torturous hours staring at extra-responsive pixels'. I was feeling dead-low yesterday, and all I had to do was vocally talk to myself for 5 minutes before packing my backpack with the basics before going out for a walk and workout that far exceeded my expectations. I'd already been fantasising hard about doing that for 2 hours in the centre of my mind, so once I was one block over and walking, I kind of knew it would happen. ____________ ^ That all sounded like one of the motivational GameQuitter emails I/we get; I still meant every word. You're a good typer; I'm hoping you update soon!

Hey, I hear you! Whoever you kid grows up to be, they will be (and already are) so thankful for your love and compassion. I'm sorry that it is so hard on you; when my mom was working night shifts, my dad and I would get those similar 4hrs of sleep at night, taking shifts cradling my sibling. They refused to fall asleep w/ anyone but her mom.