Dannigan

You did the right thing for yourself. Ironically, I was watching this video yesterday. Same situation as yours, but from a minimalist perspective. Still, it's the same issue; dissatisfaction in his career. I hope it provides some encouragement for ya.

Had to stop my sewing to say, "Good to see you back at the forums, @karabas. Now, back to my sewing..... ~ Dani

Oh thank God. Ok, I was just checking in on you. And now I understand what you mean by 'writing', from your perspective. I respect that. Writing is supposed to be inspirational to you and 'flow', not to be harnessed by the demands of a job that dictates what you 'ought' to write. Nothing less than a 'caged bird' feeling, that's my guess. I am glad you are still carrying on, though. Cheers! :)

A nice start to a new journal @zeke365. Different addiction, but same type of goal as before.

Awesome pictures, @Arch. You have a knack for photography.

This is a very good point.

@info-gatherer, What an incredible start to a new journal. I really like the topics you'll be covering too, especially the 'memories'. Looking forward to reading your adventures.

Absolutely. Once you change your environment to meeting different peer groups, you definitely will go through adjustments. I can relate to losing a virtual community. When I relapsed last winter, I had joined a different server, a very popular one. Because I wasn't there very long, I didn't establish 'close' friendships, but they were friends anyhow. Still, when I left my kinship and another smaller kinship I lead, I felt like I was turning my back on people who relied on me to be leader or just to 'be there'. It was uncomfortable and I felt a huge loss. What helps me is to remember that I never really knew these people. I never met them face to face. I never hung out with them in real life. And that was what I was missing: the human contact. BUT.... Like you wisely mentioned, "yes we all lose something at this point. I think with building a new life this will slowly fade". I could not have said that better myself! :)

Keep at it ! :) You're doing very well!

I completely respect your decision to leave. I hope you did gain a lot of positive feedback here. I admit, I am saddened to learn that you're going. There are not many females on this forum, and it's hard to lose another community member. Your insights have been invaluable. And if you decide to come back, you'd be welcomed with open arms. Sincerely, Dani

Glad to have you here! Welcome!

@tidus, Welcome to the community!

@info-gatherer, I am really glad you decided to stay around here to write a journal if it is helping you stay on track! I was actually going to quit writing here and focus on a private journal. But decided to do both. I also notice that it is helping me stay focused on short-term goals. Very interesting. People under-estimate how powerful this journal writing can be. You have a great father, he really reached out to you. Must have felt good to receive a hug from him. I am also so excited for you about Paris. You must post pictures of that place. I would love to visit it one day, after my trip to Peru next year. :) Kind regards, Dani

@Natasha I think you are a natural story-teller. I knew that right away when I read your first journal entries. You have a knack for engaging a reader and drawing the reader further into the story. I also admire your critical thinking and thoughtful responses. I don't know why, but I sense that you and I are similar. It's a rather fascinating feeling, to be honest. And I don't want to risk describing it either, because more than likely it'll sound contrived. I admire how you care about your family, and what kind of lifestyle you want to live. I don't know many who have that sort of intentional outlook. I don't have a family of my own, and some days I miss that very much. My two nieces are like my own daughters, and I want to live my life in a fulfilling way, so that they can follow the same pathway. To live a life with intention and integrity, and to live it whole-heartedly. It's always good to read your journal. Sadly, I deleted my entries. Tonight I just felt a bit nervous and anxious about writing my thoughts here for the general public to see. I have started a private journal, though. I hope to reflect more truth in my private diary, as I could not fully express myself on this forum. Kind regards, ~ Dani

@info-gatherer, I just wanted to congratulate you on your 90 Day Detox completion. :) I am so so proud of you. You continued to stand up even after a fall. That shows incredible fortitude and strength. Many years from now, if you have a sudden set-back in life, you can look back at this experience and be very proud. :) Congrats, Mattia! Sincerely, ~ Dani

@info-gatherer Well. The one thing I have not told my closest friend who now lives far away is that I was addicted to games. She's quite an intellectual and looks down upon gamers. I assume she would think that I'd never succumb to it. When I visit her this summer I will let her know. I'm curious how she'll respond. In general, I don't reveal a lot of myself to new people I just met. But I'm not averse to sharing 'some' things. I like my privacy and now that I think about it, it's none of anyone's damn business. Don't ssume that I don't know how to be intimate with good friends. I have been in past relationships. But that level of comfort and trust evolved over time. Nowadays I don't give a fuck. I dont believe that if a person shares something private about themselves that I should be expected to do the same thing. Here's a good example. --- The last person that tried to befriend me in a meet up group was way too open about her own miseries. I ended up enduring multiple phone calls in which she'd be crying on the phone about her ex-best friend. That made me want to run away from her. I hardly even KNEW this girl. And then she decided that I'd be her personal counselor. I left that friendship very quickly. It was intense from the very beginning. DO I share intimate details about myself? Yes and no. I guess I screen what I want to share. Especially if the recipient has below average emotional intelligence or comes across as arrogant or judgmental. Most of all, I am deliberately careful because I learned that too much shared information at an early stage of a new friendship can be TOO much all at once. It is unattractive to me.

Grats on acing the test 100%! You're making strides in your school/study life. Step by step....you are getting there. :)

That sounds like a healthy boundary, @Natasha. One day at a time. You are doing well.

Gotta add this other thought... @info-gatherer, to go a step further....I think that people fit into a certain 'category' of friendships. Obviously not all of our friends will be intimate with us. But we subconsciously place friends in specific categories because it suits our purpose somehow. Your tennis partner....a friend, not an intimate friend, but somebody you can hang out with from time to time, compete with, and share a lunch with. Nothing too intimate there, but still it's a social contact. You just never know where it will lead, but for now it's comfortable, right? Anyway, I've rambled too long, and my bedtime is arriving swiftly. 45 more minutes....

I think I might be a highly sensitive person too, or have similar attributes. Thanks for linking the hspnotes. You seem to be on track and doing well with the detox! Yup, sleeping in late in the morning can set you back with goals. It is a continual goal in my life to have proper sleep habits. Some days aren't so great, but for the most part it's maintained. The near zero-tolerance is a solid mindset!

Loneliness is a strange creature. It creeps up on us at any time. I asked this forum about how people handled loneliness. I received varying responses. Loneliness is just part of being human. Nothing to be ashamed of either. You can even feel lonely among your friends! Or even family! Or your partner! That's how creepy loneliness is....lol. But it's a feeling that will pass. Sometimes loneliness brings his friends; anxiety and depression. They have a little party together in your honor. I digress. I think what you did to counteract the loneliness by calling or texting your friends, is a good thing to do. You're reaching out. It's when you start isolating yourself for too long, that's when Loneliness, Anxiety, and Depression start partying HARD. Keep yourself busy, think of a few small goals or tasks that can distract you. :) You already see the advantage of writing about what you're going through. Well done, @Pierce! I don't think Loneliness has much reason to stick around tonight. Seems he's disappeared.

@BigOlBeartic You are a very encouraging presence, you know? Always nice to read your responses to people. That's something I am going to work on. : )

This is a hard time for you. I'm not sure what you'll be feeling today, this evening, tomorrow, or next week. But with the additional pain of losing a loved one, I don't blame you for feeling tempted to numb it through gaming or food. The good thing is that you wrote what you were feeling and struggling with. I can only assume that this is therapeutic for you. Whatever will help you get through each day, whether it's talking to your supportive spouse about gaming urges, writing about it on Game Quitters, writing in a private journal, whatever medium you wish to use. You have already built a successful foundation prior to joining Game Quitters. I'm glad you're able to reflect on that from time to time. It has brought you many steps forward on the right path. I am no expert in the grieving process, but what about planning a 'wake' to remember your cousin even though she has passed on from this world? Could you also involve your closest family, perhaps even your father? It's an opportunity to grieve in a positive way.

@dwalk77 Congrats on completing 90 days! You have written excellent reflections and future goals. I want to add this to my favorites list.....wish we could have that option on this forum!