NEW VIDEO: Why You MUST Quit Gaming in 2025
Mohammad
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Posts posted by Mohammad
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Sep. 3rd (day 1):
I am starting a new 90-day detox. I did not game and went for a walk for two hours at 8 pm; so good so far.
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4 hours ago, Amphibian220 said:
Mohammad,
The embarrassment of playing a game messes with you mentally from your posts, and this is no good. You are not starting over your detox, don’t say that. If you could see it clearly, you are progressing in your detox. Every failure is information. If you collect the information and make conclusions, every next step you get a qualitative improvement. If you ignore the information, you will keep repeating the mistake until you pay attention to the information.
Take it differently: the game gives you a quick enjoyment because you can forget issues, have a nice challenge, see your character develop etc. You may admire the game for another reason.
I want you to try to remember your emotions and thoughts before you get the pull to play because that is often the key to recovery. You can then find and match a strategy that replaces gaming and is healthy.
Whenever I want to have a quick battle, that is in real sports now. I can’t get out to a gym at any moment, but I can shadow box at ANY moment!
Thank you, Amphibian for your very comprehensive interpretation. I totally agree with you. I feel really bad after I game. I have improved a lot after I have started detoxing. In the past, I used to game all day long for five years and I was happy and did not want to quit at all! But today, I came to a point that I cannot stand for a two-hour game. So, yes it has been a lot of improvement; but yet, I know how easy it is to relapse to old days!
I am really enjoying doing physical activities, but as you mentioned, it is easy to play a game but quite hard to pursue a sport in real life with all the busyness.
I will try today to focus more on my long term goals and to feel my negative emotions. I know that the temptations come at 8-9 pm when my son goes to sleep so I can be mindful of this and do some exercise and meditation.
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28 minutes ago, BooksandTrees said:
Why are games a waste to you? Some people feel games are not a waste and are enhancing their lives. Why do you think it's a waste? I'm not disagreeing with you since I'm clearly on the forums. Just trying to ask the right questions.
Because gaming is not healthy. I know that there are activities that are more fun and more healthy and more importantly, I have some long term goals that are only achievable if I dedicate myself 100%. Gaming even for 10 mints kills my motivation and self confidence. I cannot think big and see myself behind my desk playing computer games. They just don't add up. So, gaming is my biggest challenge to unlock my full potential.
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21 hours ago, R. Daneel Olivaw said:
Writing a dissertation is one of the best triggers. Remember writing mine in 2005, and same exact thing happened. Because it was exhausting and stressful, the row of exams. 15 years passed by and I still had nightmares of writing exams from scratch, all over again. So I started to play a game back then, it still on my backup HDD somewhere. The graphics is so bad, can't imagine how could I play that game with paying so much attention to the "admirable" graphics and experience.
I guess that we are very adaptive to new things even at an older age. We are still able to learn new things in no time. Eg I learned how to play on phone at 35. I also played a game with someone who told, that he goes off for vacation, because he celebrates the 50th birthday of his son. Never came back to the game. He must have been somewhere around 70. It doesn't stop at 75, until dementia. Honestly, what is happening with all of us?
You wrote: "I used a software to block games". Is that still available? Considered wiping Windows and installing Linux? Maybe throwing out that Windows DVD, reinstalling a system can be hard. That's a bulletproof barrier for a while, we can trick all of them though. But I'm already guessing that you need Windows for your study in Engineering. Am I right? Most software need win, and no way to migrate it to Unix-based system.
Yes, it is available but I cannot use it on this computer that I am using now. Because this is the University computer (I brought it home due to pandemic) and I do not have full access. Also changing the operating system is not possible on this computer.
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23 hours ago, BooksandTrees said:
Why did you game and how did it make you feel?
I feel good at the start of the game. It was fun. I think that is why I am playing. But, I do not want to waste time on games so that is why I am struggling.
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17 hours ago, R. Daneel Olivaw said:
ow. Just one day, to see how it works. What will happen with my game rewards? I'm a bit worried about it. Maybe go cold turkey and start 90 day detox? I'm afraid of boredom.
Yes, indeed you should go cold turkey. As long as there are some rewards in the game, the attachment will pull you toward it. I am also in the same process of struggling; I submitted a request to the support to remove my steam account.
For the boredom, definitely you need something strong to replace it. I think this is also my challenge. The gaming temptation is so strong when I feel bored. It is good to have some fun plans for the free time beforehand.
I relapsed by playing two hours last night so I am starting a new detox as well. Lets go together...
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Unfortunately, I have played for two hours last night. Its is under control right now, but I do not want to let myself slide into this trap. I have to start a new detox and I want to make sure that I stay away from any games this time. So it is Sep. 2nd, day 1.
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19 hours ago, BooksandTrees said:
Ok. Sorry to hear about that. It's pretty difficult and can be a huge reason for escapism into porn and video games among other things. Keep journaling your thoughts and working through them.
True... Thank you. I will keep this up.
Day 12 (August 31):
I did not play and I had a good day. Very productive indeed doing exercise, meditation, studying, housework, etc. I am doing very well these days, I try to keep the spirit up and running 😄
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18 hours ago, R. Daneel Olivaw said:
Hi Mohammad, I have seen your first post and found this one. Not sure what can I say, I relapsed after 7 years (2010-2017) when I played maybe once a year, just for some hours. Then I found myself playing 36 hours without interruption. I have to read your other posts, just curious which games caused you the relapse. In my experience it can be any digital content, some are more dangerous though.
WOW 7 years without gaming. That is awesome.
36 hours without interruption! seriously?!
I prefer not to mention the name of any game because that could be a trigger.
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18 hours ago, R. Daneel Olivaw said:
Sorry for double post, I think that this is the real problem. It seems to be too much for me, actually the same happened when I started working. The virus is definitely a huge problem too, it reverted us back.
Hi Daneel,
Yes, that is true. Pandemic is a trigger and the gaming is up about 60%. So, many people are falling into this. I think watching Cam's videos and content will help you to give it a good start. Start a 90-day detox program and journal every day.
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3 minutes ago, BooksandTrees said:
Is it an arranged marriage? Sorry to get personal. I'm just wondering why not divorce or see counseling etc
No really. We were friends but it didn't work out well. It is not too bad but we are not too happy as well. so the decision is not super easy. I will make up my mind in the near future or will get some counselling for sure.
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43 minutes ago, BooksandTrees said:
Is there something you can do to communicate with your wife on issues that are bothering you?
We've been married for 8 years and it has never been good. I think this might be the main reason why I have so much difficulties abandoning gaming.
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I did not play any game last night so I keep continue counting the detox days. I think the main reason that I want to play is to escape boredom and engage my mind with some excitation. The other reality in my life is that our relationship with my wife is just not good so that is another reason I ended up gaming at night when the son goes to sleep!
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11 hours ago, BooksandTrees said:
Keep writing down why you're playing, what caused you to play, what playing is doing for you, why you don't want to play, etc.
You have to get gritty with this addiction if you want to fight it.
Thank you man! You have been very supportive of me with reflecting on my progress and difficulties. Sure, I will try to write about them.
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Day 9 to 11 (August 28th to 30th):
I played for 1.5 hours in these three days. I have to stop it before getting out of control!
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Day 8 (August 27th):
I had strong urges to play last night. 😞
I was doing well during the day but suddenly, the character I am playing just passed in front of my eyes! I installed the steam and the game. It took about 30 mints and I was working on my project with a tight deadline. I said to myself that I will play when I am done with this work. I finished the work at 1:30 am. I launched the game and starred at it for a few mints and then exit and uninstall the game and steam! Thanks god, it was super close.
I started today with lifting some weights and doing pretty well now. It is tough at times but I have to keep up the spirit.
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Day 7 (August 26th):
Last night, I resisted the temptation to play. I spent my time on writing my dissertation. I did 30 mints of exercise and went to bed.
I am feeling better today and hopefully, will be more productive.
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It is 8 pm and I was not very productive today. I feel really bored and have some temptations. The reason behind the temptations is probably being mostly unproductive and feeling bored and a bit stressed.
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Day 6 (August 25th):
I started the day by sending my son to his daycare, and now I am working on my dissertation. I am doing well and have almost no temptation for gaming.
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It is 9 p.m. and I was very productive using every moments of the day. I will study for another hour or two, do some exercise, meditate, read and sleep by 12 midnight. I think I am getting some momentum. I will keep writing twice a day to check with myself more frequently.
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Day 5 (August 24th):
I woke up 7 am today and prepared my son for his daycare. I started working on my dissertation since then. I had little temptations but its not a big deal. I think I'll be good today. I will write again at night how the day went on. The book I am reading is very interesting and encouraging: "forged in crisis: The making of Five Courageous Leaders".
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It is 9 pm and I have no temptations for gaming. I am physically and mentally exhausted today. I am going to read for an hour before going bed.
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Day 4:
I did not play last night. My friends came by and after they left, I read for half an hour before going to bed. I am trying to focus on my long term goals and desires to block instant gratification that comes with gaming. I will try to write as often as possible to avoid being caught up by sudden temptations.
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Day 3:
I am going through this day with no gaming as well. I did 2.5 hours of cycling (28 km). Meditating, reading books, spending time with family and friends. I am physically exhausted tonight and going to read before bedtime.
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Mohammad's Journal
in Daily Journals
Posted
day 2 (sep. 4th):
No gaming. after 8 pm when my son went to bed, I did some exercise, meditation and read a book for one hour. So far so good 🙂