Good to see you 🙂

In a way, gig jobs like Uber seem great for having a sense of autonomy, but potentially tricky to balance if you get lured into a pattern of gaming or other negative habits. Are there specific hobbies that have been good replacements for gaming/Twitch in the past? 

Thanks @Vee

That's a good question.  I think in the past, I've struggled to find a good replacement for gaming/Twitch, which is a big reason why gaming always seems to find a way back in my life..

I do have some ideas though.  What I'd really like to do is read more.  About everything.  News, politics, religion, fiction, non-fiction.  I could also see myself writing more.  Playing guitar.  Making an effort to hang out with friends and family.  Watching sports. 

Glad to see you've come back! I've been getting back into reading as well and something I realized was how much of a skill it is. It was easy for me to think, "I'll just pick up anything and start because I used to read all the time." And I think this is good. However, there seems to be an element of muscle memory to it where the mind must warm up again. 

Grabbing a low-stakes novel was a good way for me to start getting back into it - or reading something I have really, really wanted to read for a long time and just never did because of my addiction. That ease-in period has been very helpful in reintroducing reading and restoring my attention span. 

Day 5

To be honest, I think I underestimated the withdrawals.  I'm realizing the last few days how much I was leaning on Twitch or gaming, especially when boredom starts to settle in.

I've been watching some films the last few nights, which I've enjoyed and has done a good job of filling the time.  I did do some reading last night, but only a few pages.  I think you're right @FDRx7, there is something to easing into it.  Hopefully if I stick with it, I'll make a habit of reaching for a book rather than a game..