It's been over a year since leaving Azeroth / World of Warcraft. No looking back. Honestly I don't have time for it. Also, the last time I went back (Legion), it was still addictive to be sure, but the community bit wasn't the same as when the game first started. It's more PUG than ever. No guildies / online-friendships helping each other out as much, etc. I'll always have good memories from the vanilla days when my guild ventured into Naxxramas and downed the first boss. But there's no going back.
However, I've fallen (back) into another addiction that I'm ready and trying to break myself from. Pornography. Ugh. What a waste of time and talent. Not good for my marriage either. It's given me and I've had for about 10 years ED. It could be that and medication, but it certainly isn't helping. I'm gonna reach out to a very trusted, non-judgy friend for some accountability. Time for some rewiring.
On the good news end: I graduated in September with my Bachelors of Science in IT. I also worked for 2 months as a Developer in Austin, TX. It was very needed. My situation at home was, I feel, ugly. I was very depressed, anxious, stressed, arguing with my wife, misreading and misunderstanding her. Downward spiral. I overthink things a lot. If i'm stressed, it's very hard for me to get "outside of myself". I was on my own in Austin. Had to relearn and get an appreciation again of how to take care of myself instead of 50/50 ish duties. Austin is towards the peaceful end of the stress spectrum whereas Miami's "TILT" on the stressful side. In Austin people are friendly, actually let you in when there's heavy traffic. I loved Austin every minute. I lost my job over a technicality even though my instructors and superiors fought for me to stay. Still, it was a great learning experience, I really learned a lot in a short amount of time. The food out there is awesome too.
I'm now back in Miami. My stress level isn't as high as when I left. I'm now job searching in the Boston / New Hampshire area. My wife is going to give birth in 3 weeks. Life could be better, and it will get better. But it could be a whole lot worse too.