Jason70

Day 4 (Day 1 of Phone detox) Hmm.... Day 4, I got a lot of things done, I was productive and all, only went on youtube for 30 minutes, which was a big improvement, I also had a reason to, I wanted to learn the choreography from a music video I liked. I still don't know have of it lol! However, this went to mindless browsing. The games were great, none of them and no watching game content. The phone however was a different story Although I managed to get through day 1, I noticed I had a big urge for that stimulation of checking out whats on twitter or instagram, or just looking at my phone. I managed to be able to go through the day but I had the urge to check the phone still. I also noticed that music, is also stimulation for me. Although music is better than games, I have been listening to music A LOT more these past few months and I think gave me that same short-term happy feeling when i was down or sad. And today when I had the urges I noticed when I went to practice the choreography, My mind went up from being, "ugh I need to consume something". So yeah day one was tough but I know it will get easier Again while I was productive, I don't know I don't feel satisfied, it's not like games were good or anything, far from it, but I had this sense today, that I want to live my life to the fullest and for me when I thought that, I thought of outdoors, and camping, hiking, backpacking, exploring nature. It's not like the pandemic has made me down I can't do that but just today for some reason, even though I was super productive, I felt like a worry that I am going to die without being fulfilled. Idk it's weird I might do some research on it. Hope you all had a good day Best Jason @TheNewMe2.0I was thinking for games replacing them with exercise, reading, and I want to do rock climbing at my local rock climbing place, but there are so many Covid cases in my town, so I am a little hesitant. Don't want to get the virus. For my phone I have no idea, originally I was doing photography, but I don't have a normal camera I could still do it with so. I'll have to look into this!

Thank you! I hope it goes well! The only problem is I tend to lean towards getting anemic so I need to intake TWICE as much iron as i would have with a single piece of steak. I hope you're able to fix your diet as well. Day 3 Writing my journal now so I don't write this at 11 PM like I have been doing. I really need to fix my sleep, it's been an issue. Had some cravings today but they weren't too bad, I also had some cravings to use discord but I was able to stop myself. This morning started off bad, because I got out of bed slowly and had to quickly brush my teeth and make a breakfast before my first college class. This is one of the reasons I want to fix my sleep schedule so I feel energized in the morning and not still laying in bed sleeping when it's past the time I want to wake up. Trying to aim for 6 AM so when spring comes I can watch the sunrise. Besides that I was able to finish my project for my next sociology class next tuesday and I laid in the snow, just enjoying my time. Before starting this journal I have been researching on phones, and how that impacts your brain, I realized through my last attempt at this detox I would just replace games with my phone. I found a ton of stuff, and it has motivated me to try and cut back on it too. I wasn't sure what the best amount of days would be to be away from my phone but I assumed 65 days - somewhere around there. I know you guys have told others before that focusing on too many things at once is exhausting and difficult but I feel like since games and phones, and the issues they cause are so similar I might be able to overcome both. The articles have also inspired me to take a step further and work towards speaking to teens at the high school I used to go to about it. I don't know what it's like now there, but when I was there, everyone had their phones out all the time, including me. Hopefully with this I can help others out, cliche as it sounds. I'm tired and have a headache, but I am going to drink some water and try to power through the rest of my to do list. I hope I can get a good nights sleep tonight - aiming for 10 PM. BTW I am 3 days clean of games, I have 87 more to go.

Congratulations on being over 50 days clean! That's a big accomplishment! I think the point you brought up in your last entry and this entry is important. We have found new activities, so even though we have cravings of relapsing, why would we when our life and new activities are so much better? However, like you said that statement is only one side of the coin. The other side is, we have a time where we want to play games again and we have time, and perhaps we didn't find activities / aren't enjoying the ones we picked. In that instance, as I mentioned to someone else we need to remember our "Why." Why were games destructive for me? Why do I want to quit? Why did I play in the first place? (Not a why but,,,) What activities will I replace gaming with? What are my goals? These questions to me are essential when leaning towards relapse, I actually had cravings yesterday and today, today I even had cravings to go back to discord, but these questions have proved helpful. And like you said, relapsing only causes the same consequences and destruction to your life as I did before, sometimes makes me wonder why we even do it, despite understanding. It's a bit strange! (not relapsing, just the me understanding but not understanding xd) Hope you're doing good Best Jason

Hey posionlocket, Since you've taken the big step to quit games, you must have had reasons why. Those reasons could be, improve relationships, improve your social circle, to live your dream whatever. As we game we all have these big dreams of things we want to do in life, talking career-wise that might be being an actor/actress, having our own business, owning a YouTube channel etc. You should try thinking about what dreams and goals you want to achieve in life and do hobbies that move you one step closer to those goals/dreams. There are also some downtime hobbies that you can do when you're not working on goals. These can be sudoku puzzles, baking a yummy treat, reading, meditating or walking. Prioritizing is also big when it comes to hobbies, it's up to you how your day is scheduled but you should put what you find most important on your schedule as the thing you do. This is how i plan my days, i put the things i have/want to do, from most important to least important, in different colors so it's easier to see. But that's part of hobbies as well. I wish you luck on finding hobbies and on your journey without games 🙌 Best Jason

Hey Hemonkey I'm sorry to hear that you relapsed, but I want you to know that while relapsing sucks, to never give up, you will get there. It's as I say, take it one day at a time. Haven't read through all your journal yet but if you have defined your 'why' on playing and quitting games, re write them, not only to have a refresher on why you've come to this community and if you ever feel like you're about to relapse its good to look at to remind you why you started. I wish you luck man, remember relapsing is okay, its part of the process, don't be too hard on yourself. And very good luck to you Best Jason

Hey I wish you luck! I don't have the best advice when it comes to urges, but I just want you to know that you can overcome them. I think it's best to acknowledge that they're there, that way you know you're having a craving to play WoW and you can act on it accordingly. I think a good thing to do once you realize a craving is write down why you are having this craving. This paired with understanding it's there will make it easier to handle than if you were to just try and continue to do your work with it (might also make you feel better too)! Again I wish you luck on your journey, we are all here if you need anything! Best Jason

Thank you for your comment @Martinof it made me feel better and shifted my mindset to more positive thoughts/options. The thing is you're right, while it's not fun to use these screens all the time, we can still use it to our advantage, just make sure that we do non screen activities to balance it out. I guess what I experienced earlier was just past anger from games and anger for being stuck in a house for almost a year. Truth is we can still explore the world (like you said on youtube) and socialize with people via zoom. Again just need to make sure we don't use it too much. Day 2 Here is my real journal for day 2. I didn't resort to games, but I got nothing done, and I am tired because of screens. Besides being disappointed by this, it's expected, it's only my second day I have 88 days to go, and will probably have better days ahead of me. The things I did get done is I went on a walk, I drank water and I completed my first successful day of no meat. Improving my nutrition is something I wanted to do, and I always wanted to be a vegetarian, for health reasons and ethical reasons. Although I ate lots of cake today (finished the last slices of 2) I am glad that I put in time to make a healthy lunch and know it will get better now that the sweets are gone! 😂 Anyways although it wasn't the day I hoped for, I know that God will help guide me through this journey and I will have better days. Furthermore, today showed me habits I don't want to develop. Here is for a better day 3! Best Jason

Day 2 Day 2 is not over for me but I have to mention this. I'm not going to even think about games to solve this. But I mean what's the point of trying to gain happiness in this climate when you legit can't do crap. I have tried using the other hobbies I have chosen to at least get some improvement in my mood but it hasn't happened. I am honestly just pissed off at life at this point. Everything seems just like a constant cycle of not only boredom but depression, for everyone living today. Each day is essentially the same for me. I wake up, attend online college classes (it's been online since the start of the year and we aren't allowed to go on campus, so I'm forced to stay home), do whatever homework I have, and then I have a few hours left for me. The issue is by the time I've finished my homework I'm a zombie, cause everything is online now. FOR FUCKS SAKE EVERYTHING IS FUCKING ONLINE NOW. I know due to the worlds circumstances we have to be online but my professors couldn't take time to just put a pdf of the work online and let us print it out instead of making us do this whole god damn test online as "homework," like what the fuck? That's going to make even the really enthusiastic kids depressed. I feel trapped, isolated with this pandemic, at least before covid I could go some place and see a bit of the world (i wasted most of that though with games) but now the only thing I can go do is the park nearby which I've been to over a million times. But even then I don't feel motivated at all to even try to find a new place to drive to as literally every professor at my college is piling on work like it's fucking normal, they have paid no attention that students need to have chances to relax and not have a 60 page essay that's riding down their ass. It's been a hellish situation, I just want out, I just want to explore, I just want to be free. Nothing right now is helping towards that goal. So all I have to say is fuck online learning, fuck Covid-19, fuck the world, just FUCK FUCK FUCK YOU. Additionally, I realize this is all coming from my second day but this is genuinely how I feel right now, I legit am stuck I can't do shit right now. Jason

Day 1 Day 1 was successful. I didn't even think about games! There is not much to report today, although it felt amazing despite not getting three things off my to do list done. But I read 2 chapters of my book, I got a load of college work done, I wrote about past summer travels, I worked out, I took pictures outside and took in the sunshine and I socialized with neighbors. Felt really productive for the first time in forever, and it was 20 times better than talking with virtual people like with discord or in video games! All I can do now is hope for a successful day 2 Best Jason PN: Here are some of the pictures I took today! They were just in my driveway and on my street but reminded me that even just locally nature is beautiful

Congratulations on the girlfriend! I hope you two have fun together! Also what a coincidence that you got together on Valentines Day! Best Jason

I struggled with time management too, and I still do. What I found effective though was to write down a list of things that either need/you want to get done for the day. Also the reality is, you're going to get bored with your work or have no motivation, but thats okay. I recommend when you don't have motivation to take a break, walk, sit in silence and think, whatever until you are ready to work more. Also totally, remote working/learning is a pain in the ass, stay strong though brother. Best Jason

Hey pdallair! It's okay that you have chosen not to post everyday, others in this community don't post everyday. Additionally this is your journal, you do what you want, it's your journey. None of us are here to dictate what you decide to do. However, we are here to support and help you with any conflicts you have! Best Jason

Welcome back! I wish you luck Jason

Urges are tough. Sorry you gave into one game. However, they are things we have to face, sit with them, realize they're there and They will eventually pass. Take it one day at a time. One day at a time. Stay strong Best Jason

Hey, Seems like you're making good first steps, Congrats! Having nightmares of games is normal during the detox. I had a bunch on my first go at it, and last night I also had a nightmare. All you can do is let this happen and when you wake up not go and relapse. I don't know about you but I tend to have multiple dreams per night and so I can let the game nightmare pass and then dream of doing the activities that will help me advance in life. I hope the dreams aren't too bad for you Good luck on your detox Best Jason

Hey, I know you played a bit with your brother, but if this ever comes up again in the future, try telling him that you are taking a break from video games, and explain why. If he gets defensive or questions why you would do such a thing, what I would do in your situation is tell him that I want to do other activities (like painting, or writing or coding) and gaming was getting in the way of that (say it nicer than that obviously). Keep on praying, God will have your back the whole way. Best Jason

Hey, Before my recent relapse when I didn't have enough time to cook, I usually just cooked up like a breakfast dinner, so like eggs and milk before I go and do whatever I need to do. If that still takes a lot of time for you, at some grocery stores (idk what yours carries) but they have these healthy frozen foods (unlike banquet) that you can just microwave. Speaking of breakfast dinners I know my grocery store has these breakfast burritos - tomatoes, cheese, eggs, lettuce etc. I know breakfast you really don't think of for a dinner item, but when you don't have time it's pretty convenient and good. Hope your day goes well Best Jason

Day 1 I'm back, I played games ever since the 20th. I am starting this detox again, I noticed that when I play games I get instant brain fog, irritation and I lose a bunch of energy. The last few months were some of the worst months of my life because I was gaming. I noticed though that they are the cause of negative emotions but aren't the solution for handling them. I also learned that if I want to quit, I have to invest time into it. I can't just sit on the couch and watch netflix. Lastly I learned through it that I control my body; my actions, my thoughts, I control me, so I can do this. Additionally I don't have to be doing something big to be happy, happiness comes in any size. It's time once again to kick gaming's ass out of my life. Wish me luck Jason Also @Tabula rasa and @Buggthanks so much for your support and advice. You're right, I came on here for a reason, because games were taking over my life. I do myself justice for following through with this. I saw a video on YouTube where the message was to finish what I've started. And it's time to finish this detox. Hope you are both doing well Jason

Thanks for all the advice @Bird By Birdand @Tabula rasanot sure how much it would have been helpful today but yeah Day 0 (part 2): Played again today, i am wondering if it was the right move to not play i know thats not a common thought on this community but when i played today i felt happy. idk maybe it was cause it was sucking me into its grasp but honestly i am not sure. One thing i am sure about is to stop wasting money. Like for a twitch stream i dont have to have the streamer notice me or anything. Anyways though questioning because even though I played I still had a productive day. Idk let me know what you all think Please I need some input Jason

this isnt really corny for me either. in fact i face the same problem. I think all it comes down to, to get the passion, is asking yourself, "would i be willing to make sacrifices to do this?" if the answer is yes, then in my opinion your passionate enough, however if no, then look for other things that may be your passion. Resistance from distractions, determination, perserverance and willpower, I also think are big parts of this too. I just have been asking myself "am I willing to step outside my comfort zone for this?" Sometimes, what we think what we want to do, isnt what we actually are passionate in and vice versa

Just want to say, keep up the good work rasa! only 19 more days until the 90 days! Best Jason

Day 0: Yeah, I unfortunately relapsed already dammit... I hate myself now for being an idiot and not telling my younger brother that I was on a detox and we couldnt play, fuck. It wasn't necessarily the gaming WE did that made me relapse, but it caused the relapse after. Quickly the brain fog came back and the urge came back to achieve more to play more to do whatever else more in video games. Shit I just feel like a big fucking buffoon rn, because i could have told him, but no the opposite happened. Anyway, Word of the day: Amicable Definition: Friendly Peaceful Hoping for a good day tomorrow cause today was not a good day. I managed to stay friendly after playing but the headaches and the sadness came back. Just fuck man Besides me i hope y'all are doing well Jason

That first quote is beautiful, i love it so much. Although physically we may be seperated because of COVID, we are still connected in other ways. I am glad your practitioner is like this, what an amazing human he seems like! I hope you are doing well and i wish you my best Jason

Sounds like you got a lot done today, I am glad you are doing well! Keep things up Jason

So, my younger brother (who still plays games) said to me today "so what game are we playing?" After a bit of confusion on my end, he said "you know what i mean, what game are we playing? On any system?" Instead of telling him that i was on a detox, i foolishly started thinking about what game we could play. Then being on a detox snapped back in my mind. So my question is, what would you do if you were in this situation and would playing a bit with my sibling, even if it's for like an hour count as relapsing?