wookieshark88

Today was a really good day. I took my baby to the doctor's appointment, and she's completely healthy. The only thing the doctor said is that we should be putting lotion on her legs before bedtime. That's easy enough! After the appointment, we both hung out at home all day. The weather was bad today so there was no real reason to go anywhere. We got to play, take a nap, cook together, watch a show, read books, and a bunch of other fun stuff. It's awesome how much better spending a day with her is without the influence of video games. I had no desire to ignore her and keep my face in a screen. There was no anxiety or dishonesty about any part of the day. I'm in a much better place than I was back then and today really affirmed that for me. I'm thankful for: My class not being too hard so far.Getting to take a nap today. This week has been good for taking a break from the grind so far.Having time to make breakfast and dinner.Getting used to using OneNote as a tool for studying.Enjoying my day for what it was and not wanting to be mentally anywhere else.Being able to hang out with my wife after she got home from work.My baby being healthy.Not feeling any asthma today.Not having any anxiety today.Driving safely during the bad weather.

Today was another good day. It was the first day of class and the assignment wasn't bad. The class is 7 days a week for 21 days with an assignment due every day. Hopefully they're all like today's assignment because that would be very doable. I'm not working at all this week, and this level of work should be easy enough for it to still feel like I'm taking a break. I'll be able to spend all week with my baby! Today was also a big computer day for me as well. I have used Firefox as my internet browser for about eight years, but it's been making me mad lately. Today it infuriated me so badly I switched to Opera, at least for now. I didn't want to switch to Chrome because I don't want to get sucked into Google's world. I have all my stuff set up in Microsoft's world already (except Bing, I use Google for search), and I'm happy enough to not switch. I really like Microsoft Edge and may give it a legitimate shot once it has extensions. I love being able to customize my browser with extensions to suit my style. Opera seems to fit my needs really well, and I hope it continues to do so because it seems really nice! It's so much more touch friendly! I'm willing to hear anybody's opinions on browsers because I can never have enough information. I'm thankful for: Making a Gordon Ramsay style breakfast this morning. It was awesome!Making a Gordon Ramsay style dinner last night. That was awesome too!Having time to have lots of fun in the kitchen. I'm going to make a Gordon Ramsay roast chicken in a few days!Playing with my baby off and on all day long. She's a lot of fun even if she acts like a big baby sometimes, haha.Not feeling any anxiety and having the chance to decompress.Getting the chance to take my baby to the doctor tomorrow. I like being there to do those things.Playing with my baby's Christmas toys. We have fun.My wife for helping make sure that I get to relax.Having a nice conversation with my parents.Knocking a few things off of my to do list.

Today was a great day, and yesterday was a blast after my journal entry. I had eggnog with bourbon while my wife and I made Christmas cookies and chutney and took care of the rest of our Christmas preparations. Today was my baby's first Christmas! We all had a great day celebrating. I'm so tired at this point so I'm just going to end my entry. I'm thankful for: My baby really enjoying the festivities and her gifts. It's his first Christmas!My wife's appreciation for the gifts I gave her. They were beauty products which is a field completely beyond my comprehension. I just internet research and got her stuff that people were raving about, lol.The headband and mullet wig my wife got me. I got lots of funny looks today!Having a wonderful breakfast for lunch!Visiting some friends who also have a baby. They played together so well!Relaxing and watching A Christmas Story with my wife.Being able to take antihistamines again after my test! What a relief.Not having any anxiety today.Being game free for six months!Being happy with life.

Merry Christmas to you too and to all of the Game Quitters community! Today was a good day! I spent the whole day with my baby, and we were out and about for most of it. First of all we went to my allergy appointment. I'm really glad that she was there because we got to play the whole time after they gave my shots. I was so itchy, but she was there to laugh with and distract me. That's easily the most fun I've ever had at a doctors office, haha. We were there for about two hours, and we both did great. Neither of us cried or threw a fit. It turns out I'm allergic to all of the environmental stuff except for feathers and cockroaches. That means grasses, trees, pollen, molds, dogs, cats, other animals, and who knows what else give me allergies. The good news is that I many be eligible for immunotherapy that has a 90% chance of eliminating my allergies in three to five years! I would love that. The next thing we did was go to Sears at the mall to get a new tire for my car. It was a two hour wait, but we were able to walk around a bit and get her photo with Santa. She took one photo were she liked him and another where she was really mad at him, haha. I think they're both great photos! We finally got home and had fun with my wife as we cooked a flavorful and healthy turkey chili with three kinds of beans. My baby really enjoys being in the kitchen and watching everything that's going on. Now that she's in bed it's time for my wife and I to make some molasses cookies and have a few stiff drinks! I'm thankful for: Having a blast with my baby today!The awesome Santa Photos that we got.Getting my tire replaced. It's all about safety now that I have a baby!A delicious dinner! I love cooking when I have time.Rocking out to 80's music in the kitchen with my wife and baby.My allergy doctor. The guy is awesome!My cats. Allergies be damned, I am a crazy cat person.Calling my parents.The funny faces that we all make at each other as a family. We all love to laugh together.Tomorrow making a half year of freedom from video games! It's been one of the best six month stretches of my life!

I'm of the opinion that in person chess is a great activity for a game quitter. I know that I've played online chess for hours on end and lost myself before so be careful with that.

I agree with Cam that her Tim Ferriss podcast is excellent. I read Daring Greatly and loved it. Her other two books are on my list. She really reinforced the idea that being a badass is tough, but worth it. You'll be knocked down, beat up, and ridiculed. The thing is that you'll be alive and life will be a great adventure. That's what I want for myself. I'd rather aim for greatness and have an adventure trying to get there than just sit on the sidelines and snicker at those who are actually living.

Today was good. I had a pretty easy day at work which was really nice. I got home and had lots of time to play with my baby. We got to jump around, talk, cuddle, and just enjoy hanging out. That makes two days this week that we got to have a good amount of bonding time. Today was a much better day for my anxiety. I think all of my efforts to deal with it yesterday had carried over to today. It probably helps that today is the last day I had to work this calendar year. Tomorrow is my allergy test follow up. I'm supposed to do a second test, but I really hope that I'm not allergic to too much this time around. I have no desire to have a super itchy back again. I'm thankful for: Eating better today that I have been.Getting a break from work.Spending quality time with my baby.The nice salad that my wife and I had for dinnerNot having problems with anxiety today.Having the motivation to learn something new every day.Getting my goals organized and exploring my inner self.Having good communication with my wife.Not having an itchy back.Getting to sleep in a bit tomorrow.

When I read your entries, it reminds me of when I return to see my parents and childhood home. Good stuff!

If you liked her TED talk, her book would probably be really helpful for you. It was for me!

I like the new avatar! I may have to change mine soon. Today was an anxiety filled day, but I overcame that anxiety by the end of the day. For most of the day I could feel the anxiety in my shoulder, crowding my thoughts, and making me jumpy. After lunch at work, I decided that I should kick its ass. I put on some headspace and practiced my breathing. I smiled and went for short walks. Then I started writing. It was good to just put all these thoughts that were plaguing my mind onto paper. As my mind started to feel better, I wrote about that too. It helped me quite a bit. After I put my baby to sleep, I opened OneNote and started writing in there. I had been meaning to really try it out and see if it would help me in my life. I wrote in it for two hours until my wife came home. I wrote about my life goals, broke them down into components, wrote about books that I read, wrote my to do list, wrote about things I am waiting for...just wrote about my life. I have to say that I do not have a hint of anxiety right now. It was really freeing. I had my allergy test today. That really sucked. Apparently I'm allergic to tons of things. I got poked 72 times, and a lot of those pokes turned into very itchy bumps on my back. On Thursday, I'll go back to find out what's next. Hopefully the followup test is less itchy. I'm thankful for: Dealing with my anxiety effectively.The nice strong drink I have been enjoying. I hope it didn't degrade the quality of my journal entry.My cat for being nice after being stuck in the closet all day. This happens to him four or five times a year yet he always has to sneak into the closet.My mother in law for being a great person who allows me to pursue my dreams.Listening to my wife's difficult day. I always want to be there for her.Having mellow time with my baby this evening. She was content to just sit with me and talk.Finally trying out OneNote. It's okay so far, but I'm hoping I have an epiphany and I end up loving it.Working on mapping out my goals and dreams. I'll need to keep working on it because it was really therapeutic.Tomorrow being the last working day of this calendar year. I was hoping to work next week, but I'll just have to enjoy the time away from the office.All of the things I have learned since quitting games. It's been 180 days and I'm happy with my new direction. It's not always easy, but it's hugely gratifying.

Today was kind of a tough day for me. I've been feeling antisocial and angsty all day. Also, on my three mile drive home from work, I ran over a rock or something and it left a gash in the side of my tire and wheel. I really just wanted to cry. Oh well, it's not the end of the world, and I'll get a new tire. On a brighter side, I got to go home earlier than usual because I'm not in class. This means that I got to spend a bit of extra time with my baby! We took a catnap together, listened to some jazz and danced, had dinner, bathed, brushed her teeth, and played around for a bit. It's been a while since I've spent that much time with her alone after work. I miss knowing her routines as well as I used to. Thankfully, I have a chance to get back in the loop! I've been enjoying the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People". I haven't felt like socializing lately, but I'll need to start practicing the techniques. I've been taking notes and creating a condensed version so that I can skim it over and keep the concepts in my mind. This is something that I really want to get better at. I'm thankful for: Getting my drawing book today. I've started reading it and am excited to get to the exercises.My to do list not being overly absurd even though getting a new tire has gone on it.Having a wonderful wife who has cheered me up a bit.Having a good amount of time with my baby.Christmas coming up. I really need the extra days off to rest.The chicken and kale salad my wife and I made for dinner tonightGetting a bonus check at work. That will take care of the tire.My cats. They're always doing something that's funny.Brushing my baby's teeth for the first time.Taking a short nap today. It really helped.

I really love these two sentences. They're inspirational, artistic, and powerful! Actually, the whole post was awesome, but that was my favorite part. Like you, I tell people that I don't play video games. It's amazing!

Today was really good and really busy. I really didn't intend to end up this busy. The good new is that lots of things have been taken care of going into the week. The down side is that I am beat. I'm thankful for: The excellent beef stew my wife and I made for dinner.Swim lessons. They were my baby's best yet!Printing from my laser printer. No more lousy ink jet for me!Sitting still now watching Seinfeld with my wife.Getting the basement cleaned.Getting all the laundry done.Sorting through the files from my dead computer.Going grocery shopping.Throwing out a bunch of junk that I don't need any more.Cleaning out the baby's room.

I didn't start working on getting rid of my games until I was well over 100 days game free so I know how that feels. It is tough no matter how long you've gone without using them. Congratulations on pulling the trigger! That is not an easy thing to do!

You should get tested for H. Pylori bacteria. It's one of the most common causes of gastritis. I didn't have that bacteria, but if you find out that you do, that could be an easy fix. Also, I started taking a probiotic. I'm not sure if it did anything for me, but I haven't had pains in a while.

Today was a good day. I spent a ton of time trying to get caught up on everybody's journals so I'm going to make this quick. We went to kid city today and it was fun! My baby enjoyed playing there, and I did too. I probably enjoyed it more than I was supposed to, haha. I went Christmas shopping today because I finally got the chance. It was horrible to be out and about with all the crazy Christmas shoppers, but it's all done now. I got my syllabus for my next class that starts on December 28. That class is going to be really fast paced so I'm going to start diving in ASAP. I'm thankful for: Seeing so many people share their journeys in quitting games. It keeps me motivated to be at my best!Having fun at Kid City. We'll be going back in the future.Leaving Kid City. At a certain point, it seemed like a bunch of terribly behaved children and parents got in. I'm glad my wife agreed that it was time to go.The Mexican food we had after Kid City.Finishing Christmas shopping.Getting a ton of things crossed off of my to do list.My professor sending out the syllabus early. I'm going to need to have a head start.Picking up a new sketchbook and some pencils. Now I just need to start using them!Having a good weekend so far.My family.

Thank you for joining us! I had lots of video game dreams like you did. They will go away in time. I dreamed about relapsing so many times and was so upset. The positive part of that was waking up and realizing that I was still on track. The subconscious thing does not count as playing games. Our minds were submersed in games so long that it's going to happen for a while until we adjust.

The goalie position has always fascinated me. I played it a couple of times when I was a kid and I loved it. One thing that was hard for me was to remember how flexible I really was and to not overextend myself. Like you, I found it tough to see people I love not work to better themselves. Perhaps you can read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie and see if that can give you some ideas. I'm just a little ways into it, and I think that you may find some ways to help your family in it. For me, I found that my wife has responded very positively to my game free self. She sees that I am always trying to improve things for myself and the family, and she has definitely been motivated by it. Also, keep writing in your journal here and you'll keep improving at writing too. I have no problem understanding what you write on here, but I completely get wanting to improve because I do too. When you read other people's words, look for things you like and don't like in the way they write.

I hope you enjoy the trip and the time with your family! It will be fun to see your journal entries of your experiences, and see if things are a little different now that you're game free!

I pressed "like" before I read your entry. I was not disappointed.

Hey! Can you share with me some of the tips you have picked up on managing your gastritis? I have no desire to feel those pains again. Also, happy birthday! I love my safety razor and will never go back to anything else ever again.

It's always great to see you back here! Great progress on gaining muscle! My eating habits have slipped a bit, and I'm looking to get back on track myself. I'll have to use this as motivation!

Congratulations on making it to this huge milestone! I'm looking forward to hearing what your new goals will be! I love number 4. We can change so much when we know how. If you're ever struggling with something in the future, read the words that you wrote in here today. They are a great reminder of what you can accomplish!

Today is a good day. Class is over, and I have a few days off from work! I'm so ready to just have a few days of simplicity. This weekend I just want to be a father and husband. We're going to take our baby to a place called "Kid City". I'm excited to see how she does there! After that, we're going to go out to eat and relax. There will be some chores to be done during the day, but we're going to keep things as low key as possible. As much as I am dedicated to pursuing my goals, I need to rest for a while. Without rest, I won't be as effective in the future. In the past I used to just push myself until I broke then go on a video game/drinking/eating poorly binge. That won't be happening anymore. I'm thankful for: Having the chance to regroup for a while before my next class.Being able to feel successful with my progress towards multiple goals.Feeling confident that I will be amazed by my progress as long as I can maintain a consistent effort.Continuing to read my book.Having a genuine sense of happiness in my life.Learning new things every day.Being able to put my baby to sleep. It's nice to read her a story, give her a bottle, and just sit quietly with her.Knowing I will sleep great tonight.Having a chance to meditate twice today. It was really refreshing.Having a nice salad for dinner.

I "liked" all of these posts because I love this conversation. I think the key here is to just experiment with different ideas, including the ones people have mentioned, until something starts working. I truly believe that you can figure this out! One thing that really helped me is to learn how to dream again. In life, many people tell us what we can't do, what's unrealistic, what is too risky, and all that crap. I ended up scared to have grand dreams because it would just hurt to dream about things I could never accomplish. That left me really unhappy. I've since learned that I should dream, and I should take little steps every day to achieve those grand dreams. Also, it's vital to be able for me to be able to enjoy the journey towards my dreams. In the end, it's not really about whether or not I get to the finish line, but whether I found joy in the days, weeks, months, and years of experiences in pursuit of that dream. Don't get me wrong, I definitely intend on becoming an amazing practicing architect, father of the year, husband of the year, marathon runner, entrepreneur, and really effective game quitting helper guy. I can also find joy in getting an A in my architecture class, making my baby laugh, telling my wife that she's wonderful, making sure I exercise a bit every day, learn about business, and post in your journal too!