Why I've decided to sell my gaming PC

[buznezGopher]

I have a top notch gaming PC (RTX 3080, Ryzen 9 5900X for you nerds) that I built 8 months ago. It's a beast of a PC that plays anything and everything thrown at it, on ultra graphics. I've played some demanding games like the latest MW2 and MW1, and I've spent some hours in Ready or Not, probably my favourite game which tries to be a successor to SWAT4. Gaming has always been part of my life, but now it's time to put the brakes on.

Most of the time I've actually not spent playing graphics demanding games out of interest and curiosity, but I've actually been addicted to League of Legends. Not only is it stupid that I was addicted to such a stupid thing, but especially since I built such an expensive beast of a PC only to play that crappy game all day long.

I've tried to uninstall LoL multiple times, but it's just so easy to install when playing LoL all day long has become routine and my fingers itch for playing more of that game since it's so stimulating and familiar. Since gaming became routine about two years ago, I would just jump on discord when I woke up to play with whoever was online or just play alone until someone appeared in the discord chat. I unfortunately have been prioritizing gaming over my studies, over my promising remote job (short term), and over my promising small software company that has paying customers waiting for updates...

The simplest solution I've decided to go with: sell my gaming PC, and instead buy a top notch MacBook Pro, a machine inviting to be productive instead of being a consumer. It was eating me alive, but now that I've posted my PC for sale and I hope that I can get my life back on track. This solution is simple because it removes the distraction altogether just like deciding to not buy candy and chocolate at the store instead of trying to resist at home when it's already in your house. I tried breaking free before with uninstalling the game and I've had multiple (fake, it turned out) FTEs (F*ck this events) before, but without any lasting results.

However, even with me being such a gaming addict, I'm not quitting gaming altogether. I'm planning on getting a VR headset and playing RoN through GeForce Now, but only as entertainment AFTER I've had a productive day. The actual problem is with competitive games like LoL, WoW and such that makes you think you are making progress in life. I came to realize that after actually thinking about what I spend my time on and why I decide to give all my time to gaming. It's because it gives you the feeling that you need to improve further and play more, and it does sometimes give you the feeling of improvement, but it's only in a fake digital world. It doesn't improve your life in any way, and I don't remember any special moments after gaming the entire day. It's like the day just disappeared, as I watch some more LoL videos in my bed trying to sleep. The funny thing is that with LoL, it doesn't even feel good to win... it just fkin' sucks to lose, so you play again and again to get back your lost LP (elo points) or out of spite. I actually believe most of LoL players are caught in this addictive feedback loop, because I cannot see how anyone would genuinely find that game where your teammates and not you can be the only reason you lose a 30+ minute game. It's as bad or potentially worse as gambling, because you lose something more precious than money: your time. There's so much wrong with that game that it makes me angry just thinking about it, and I'm not going to spend a single more minute of my life, even if all my friends are on discord playing that game.

It hopefully seems obvious to you in here that playing that much is ruining your life, but it's damn hard to realize when you're in that situation. I know I'm not alone after seeing many others in the same position both here and other forums, so I hope this post can be helpful to others in similar situations.

So to recap, I'm selling the thing capable of tricking myself into fake, highly stimulating progress, and I'm now only using gaming as relaxing entertainment. That is, an alternative to watching a movie or something similar. Hopefully I can now be productive during the days working on studies, my job or building my company, instead of routinely playing LoL all day every day.

 

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[AhmedBella]

It’s crazy how I can relate to that. When covid struck I got addicted to video games because it gave me a sense of fulfillment during a time when I wasn’t really doing anything with my life. I eventually got fed up and had my FTE during another sleepless night. I ended up learning a bunch of useful things, launched a startup (we eventually failed) and got back to competitive swimming the second pools opened. I’m still obsessed with business and my life really took a turn for the best after I dropped gaming. The dopamine I get from actually doing real things to level up in real life is so much better. We have a natural drive to better ourselves and wasting it on a game isn’t good.

You’re on the right path. You played the best move you could. Congrats

 

[loop101]

I have a top notch gaming PC (RTX 3080, Ryzen 9 5900X for you nerds) that I built 8 months ago. It's a beast of a PC that plays anything and everything thrown at it, on ultra graphics. I've played some demanding games like the latest MW2 and MW1, and I've spent some hours in Ready or Not, probably my favourite game which tries to be a successor to SWAT4. Gaming has always been part of my life, but now it's time to put the brakes on.

Most of the time I've actually not spent playing graphics demanding games out of interest and curiosity, but I've actually been addicted to League of Legends. Not only is it stupid that I was addicted to such a stupid thing, but especially since I built such an expensive beast of a PC only to play that crappy game all day long.

I've tried to uninstall LoL multiple times, but it's just so easy to install when playing LoL all day long has become routine and my fingers itch for playing more of that game since it's so stimulating and familiar. Since gaming became routine about two years ago, I would just jump on discord when I woke up to play with whoever was online or just play alone until someone appeared in the discord chat. I unfortunately have been prioritizing gaming over my studies, over my promising remote job (short term), and over my promising small software company that has paying customers waiting for updates...

The simplest solution I've decided to go with: sell my gaming PC, and instead buy a top notch MacBook Pro, a machine inviting to be productive instead of being a consumer. It was eating me alive, but now that I've posted my PC for sale and I hope that I can get my life back on track. This solution is simple because it removes the distraction altogether just like deciding to not buy candy and chocolate at the store instead of trying to resist at home when it's already in your house. I tried breaking free before with uninstalling the game and I've had multiple (fake, it turned out) FTEs (F*ck this events) before, but without any lasting results.

However, even with me being such a gaming addict, I'm not quitting gaming altogether. I'm planning on getting a VR headset and playing RoN through GeForce Now, but only as entertainment AFTER I've had a productive day. The actual problem is with competitive games like LoL, WoW and such that makes you think you are making progress in life. I came to realize that after actually thinking about what I spend my time on and why I decide to give all my time to gaming. It's because it gives you the feeling that you need to improve further and play more, and it does sometimes give you the feeling of improvement, but it's only in a fake digital world. It doesn't improve your life in any way, and I don't remember any special moments after gaming the entire day. It's like the day just disappeared, as I watch some more LoL videos in my bed trying to sleep. The funny thing is that with LoL, it doesn't even feel good to win... it just fkin' sucks to lose, so you play again and again to get back your lost LP (elo points) or out of spite. I actually believe most of LoL players are caught in this addictive feedback loop, because I cannot see how anyone would genuinely find that game where your teammates and not you can be the only reason you lose a 30+ minute game. It's as bad or potentially worse as gambling, because you lose something more precious than money: your time. There's so much wrong with that game that it makes me angry just thinking about it, and I'm not going to spend a single more minute of my life, even if all my friends are on discord playing that game.

It hopefully seems obvious to you in here that playing that much is ruining your life, but it's damn hard to realize when you're in that situation. I know I'm not alone after seeing many others in the same position both here and other forums, so I hope this post can be helpful to others in similar situations.

So to recap, I'm selling the thing capable of tricking myself into fake, highly stimulating progress, and I'm now only using gaming as relaxing entertainment. That is, an alternative to watching a movie or something similar. Hopefully I can now be productive during the days working on studies, my job or building my company, instead of routinely playing LoL all day every day.

Macs are so terrible at gaming, they are a good way of breaking a gaming addiction. Linux can work too, though a lot of games still work. When I played Windows games on Linux, it was a really good way to learn Linux. The game became, "Can I get this Windows game to work on Linux?".

 

[buznezGopher]

Macs are so terrible at gaming, they are a good way of breaking a gaming addiction. Linux can work too, though a lot of games still work. When I played Windows games on Linux, it was a really good way to learn Linux. The game became, "Can I get this Windows game to work on Linux?".

Yes, Macs are indeed not made for gaming, but for productivity. The only reason I used Windows was so that I could play games on my desktop PC. I used Linux before due to being cleaner than Windows and more developer friendly, and I have done my fair share of distro hopping. However, I went back to Windows for gaming and simplicity in regards to software compatibility.
I've always had a MacBook in addition to a desktop PC, and I've subjectively landed on Macs as the best machines for getting productive work done, and I say that as a professional software developer. Simply get shit done without Microsoft trying to sell you shit or sign you up for something, all in a premium experience with superb battery life. Sorry not trying to make a commercial here, but those are my thoughts on the topic

 

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[_donut_]

Saying gaming is the problem is no different than saying guns kill people and candy makes people fat. It comes down to moderation and self control first and foremost. If you use candy/gaming/ect. as a 'reward' system for studying hard for a set amount of time, then they can actually make you be more productive. Scientifically speaking, its better to work/study in chunks than hours on end. I set a timer for 45 mins study/work, then 15-20 mins gaming or some other stimulating activity completely separate. So whats happening, is you are giving your brain a reward for studying and then all of a sudden, studying/working because a habit that you look forward to. my .2 cents.

 

[Patryk.]

It is the same problem as drinking addiction. I can't understand how one can't stop doing the "addiction" thing if he clearly see a problem there. It is like "what's wrong with you?". How can you do stuff you know that hurt you? I can't understand that.

I was addiction to porn, sugar and gaming earlier in my life. I quit all of the things in one day because I shifted my identity. You can't do things if they don't match your identity.

I love to put a old trigger in front of me and enjoy that I don't have any cravings anymore. I can buy a chocolate and put it at the desk for a whole year just to prove I win with that stupid addiction at all. My brain doesn't even spots the fact there is a sugar in front of me anymore.

Don't sell the PC. It's like the chocolate. Look at it all day and enjoy the cravings. If you sell it there will be next thing you will become addicted to because you didn't found a way to cope with previous addiction.

Buying a new Mac is an "event" oriented and buying the "Mac" is huge dopamine rush - don't do that for now.

 

[Andy Black]

I'd say I'm an addictive/obsession personality. I get into things in a big way when I do. I played games years ago (when they were nowhere near as good as they are now) but don't anymore. I replaced it with the game of business. Of trying to figure stuff out, be it Google Ads, YouTube, LinkedIn, email newsletters, etc.

Maybe find something that you can't NOT do that's more productive than playing games? Or even start streaming and a YouTube channel and turn put a clock on it?

 

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[Ravens_Shadow]

I need to put down the chips and get back to work lmao

 

[Jeix]

I need to put down the chips and get back to work lmao

View attachment 46648

I have three times the hours on dota, a friend of mine who's still gaming has over ten times the amount.

I was in a similar position in 2018. When I found TMF I was hungry for more. I bought a bunch of books and put them in front of my computer, saying how I wouldn't play until I was done reading them.
It took me a year to finish them, there were over 50 of them.
I used an old laptop to work on in the meantime, one I couldn't game on.
By the time I was done, my side hustle was going well and I was taking on more side projects.
I never "gamed" again.
To this day I still play casually every once in a while and I'd still like a gaming nook in my house (and so would my wife) but it would mostly be to spend an hour of free time or two, I get bored of them easily.
Married life also helped out, I prioritize my partner over anything else and that keeps any addiction at bay.

 

[buznezGopher]

Saying gaming is the problem is no different than saying guns kill people and candy makes people fat. It comes down to moderation and self control first and foremost. If you use candy/gaming/ect. as a 'reward' system for studying hard for a set amount of time, then they can actually make you be more productive. Scientifically speaking, its better to work/study in chunks than hours on end. I set a timer for 45 mins study/work, then 15-20 mins gaming or some other stimulating activity completely separate. So whats happening, is you are giving your brain a reward for studying and then all of a sudden, studying/working because a habit that you look forward to. my .2 cents.

I see what you're saying, and it might have worked out for you, but I've had at least three times where I've said "ok enough gaming, I can only play LoL after I'm done with my main tasks". And that doesn't work for me. It ends up with me playing more and more until it's a habit that when I sit down in front of my PC I just open LoL and play a game because its stimulating, exciting, and a habit, instead of progressing IRL. I'm stuck gaming even if it's work that needs to be done ASAP, some study work that I should be doing, or fixing issues and building on my business. It's not so much about willpower at that point, because willpower can't compete with habits. I've had the willpower to say enough is enough multiple times, but to use a metaphor: the chocolate is already in the house and so it's already a lost battle.

Also I want to share a fantastic post by RHL on this topic that's absolutely worth reading.

It is the same problem as drinking addiction. I can't understand how one can't stop doing the "addiction" thing if he clearly see a problem there. It is like "what's wrong with you?". How can you do stuff you know that hurt you? I can't understand that.

I was addiction to porn, sugar and gaming earlier in my life. I quit all of the things in one day because I shifted my identity. You can't do things if they don't match your identity.

I love to put a old trigger in front of me and enjoy that I don't have any cravings anymore. I can buy a chocolate and put it at the desk for a whole year just to prove I win with that stupid addiction at all. My brain doesn't even spots the fact there is a sugar in front of me anymore.

Don't sell the PC. It's like the chocolate. Look at it all day and enjoy the cravings. If you sell it there will be next thing you will become addicted to because you didn't found a way to cope with previous addiction.

Buying a new Mac is an "event" oriented and buying the "Mac" is huge dopamine rush - don't do that for now.

Yes, buying a Mac is of course exciting, but I'm mainly thinking long term here. I know that for me a Mac is the best chance of being productive. If I have a Mac in front of me, it's much easier to get work done and progress my life than with a gaming PC. I'm a tech guy and I'm very familiar with Windows, Mac, Linux and even uncommon ones like FreeBSD. I know the strengths and weaknesses of these systems, and for me a Mac simply invites me to be productive. I can't say the same for others, and for you that might be a Windows laptop or a Linux box that works the best for you to get work done. It's subjective.

I'd say I'm an addictive/obsession personality. I get into things in a big way when I do. I played games years ago (when they were nowhere near as good as they are now) but don't anymore. I replaced it with the game of business. Of trying to figure stuff out, be it Google Ads, YouTube, LinkedIn, email newsletters, etc.

Maybe find something that you can't NOT do that's more productive than playing games? Or even start streaming and a YouTube channel and turn put a clock on it?

I have three times the hours on dota, a friend of mine who's still gaming has over ten times the amount.

I was in a similar position in 2018. When I found TMF I was hungry for more. I bought a bunch of books and put them in front of my computer, saying how I wouldn't play until I was done reading them.
It took me a year to finish them, there were over 50 of them.
I used an old laptop to work on in the meantime, one I couldn't game on.
By the time I was done, my side hustle was going well and I was taking on more side projects.
I never "gamed" again.
To this day I still play casually every once in a while and I'd still like a gaming nook in my house (and so would my wife) but it would mostly be to spend an hour of free time or two, I get bored of them easily.
Married life also helped out, I prioritize my partner over anything else and that keeps any addiction at bay.

This is where I want to be: the point where working on my business is more fun than playing games. I know it actually is more fun for me than playing LoL, just not when I'm addicted to that game... I've had periods where I wasn't playing that much LoL because I was "hooked" on working on my business. That doesn't last long as my friends are on discord waiting for me to join a game, and just like that I'm playing more and more until I'm basically addicted again.

That's why I want to get rid of the possibility of getting into LoL again all together. Maybe I could do it without selling my PC and just have the willpower to never install LoL again (which I've failed at before) and not play games that hook you into the feedback loop, whether it's elo points or item progression like WoW. Maybe, but I could take the simple route also just get rid of it and buy myself a Mac...

And now that I've mentioned Discord so much, I think that's another aspect of it: my friends (mostly thanks to covid) are most of the time on Discord, and many of my friends play LoL as their main game. That's what pulled me into trying it in the first place, since "all" my friends were playing. I will try to focus more on friends that don't play all day long, but that's most of my friend circle post covid unfortunately. I will have to ignore the ones playing LoL all day.

 

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[sujit1717]

For 2 months, my addiction to video games aroused from thin air. And I started playing WAR THUNDER. I was not able to quit it. But then I decided to quit it by watching masculinity videos on youtube. Best thing I did.

 

[savefox]

I see what you're saying, and it might have worked out for you, but I've had at least three times where I've said "ok enough gaming, I can only play LoL after I'm done with my main tasks". And that doesn't work for me. It ends up with me playing more and more until it's a habit that when I sit down in front of my PC I just open LoL and play a game because its stimulating, exciting, and a habit, instead of progressing IRL. I'm stuck gaming even if it's work that needs to be done ASAP, some study work that I should be doing, or fixing issues and building on my business. It's not so much about willpower at that point, because willpower can't compete with habits. I've had the willpower to say enough is enough multiple times, but to use a metaphor: the chocolate is already in the house and so it's already a lost battle.

Also I want to share a fantastic post by RHL on this topic that's absolutely worth reading.



Yes, buying a Mac is of course exciting, but I'm mainly thinking long term here. I know that for me a Mac is the best chance of being productive. If I have a Mac in front of me, it's much easier to get work done and progress my life than with a gaming PC. I'm a tech guy and I'm very familiar with Windows, Mac, Linux and even uncommon ones like FreeBSD. I know the strengths and weaknesses of these systems, and for me a Mac simply invites me to be productive. I can't say the same for others, and for you that might be a Windows laptop or a Linux box that works the best for you to get work done. It's subjective.





This is where I want to be: the point where working on my business is more fun than playing games. I know it actually is more fun for me than playing LoL, just not when I'm addicted to that game... I've had periods where I wasn't playing that much LoL because I was "hooked" on working on my business. That doesn't last long as my friends are on discord waiting for me to join a game, and just like that I'm playing more and more until I'm basically addicted again.

That's why I want to get rid of the possibility of getting into LoL again all together. Maybe I could do it without selling my PC and just have the willpower to never install LoL again (which I've failed at before) and not play games that hook you into the feedback loop, whether it's elo points or item progression like WoW. Maybe, but I could take the simple route also just get rid of it and buy myself a Mac...

And now that I've mentioned Discord so much, I think that's another aspect of it: my friends (mostly thanks to covid) are most of the time on Discord, and many of my friends play LoL as their main game. That's what pulled me into trying it in the first place, since "all" my friends were playing. I will try to focus more on friends that don't play all day long, but that's most of my friend circle post covid unfortunately. I will have to ignore the ones playing LoL all day.

Install a blocker like freedom. Make it so you can't play anything or watch youtube/scroll on social media and block discord too. There's a setting that lets you disable your ability to disable the blocker unless you call them. You only need to do that for about a month to break the addiction. That's what helped me to quit social media and games and that shit is not even fun anymore when you're not addicted to it. And it is an addiction, just like an addiction to meth or crack. You play and get domapine, then pain and craving for more follows. Read the book Dopamine nation to understand why it happens. Just cut out all instant gratification activities from your life right now. You'll suffer for like 2 weeks but it'll change your life

 

[buznezGopher]

Install a blocker like freedom. Make it so you can't play anything or watch youtube/scroll on social media and block discord too. There's a setting that lets you disable your ability to disable the blocker unless you call them. You only need to do that for about a month to break the addiction. That's what helped me to quit social media and games and that shit is not even fun anymore when you're not addicted to it. And it is an addiction, just like an addiction to meth or crack. You play and get domapine, then pain and craving for more follows. Read the book Dopamine nation to understand why it happens. Just cut out all instant gratification activities from your life right now. You'll suffer for like 2 weeks but it'll change your life

Thank you for the tip and the book recommendation, I've added it to my reading list.

I've actually tinkered with Freedom, and I've installed their free browser extension "Pause" which gives you a pause screen before you go to sites that can be time wasters like Reddit and YouTube. I've used many similar extensions before like Cold Turkey and BlockSite I think it's called, and I think I have time wasting sites under control via just the pause extension.

I used to automatically go into reddit, YouTube and such sites before to escape a difficult problem like work related or with studies. It went like: problem or minor inconvenience -> time wasting site to escape it. Using the Pause extension allows me to become self aware when I'm doing it and allows me to stop the bad habit.

Gaming was also a way to escape any inconvenience in real life in addition to just straight up being addicted, and that's what I'm working on now.

Finally, my phone is also a time waster. I'm learning from especially one YouTuber, Iman Gadzhi, who talks about his phone habits which is basically don't use your phone unless you need it for something and don't let it consume you. I'm working on not using my phone in bed, and I've deleted TikTok since my morning routine was basically to waste an hour on TikTok.

I think that pretty much sums this whole thing up and what I am working towards: instead of letting technology consume me, use it only to my advantage. And also setting myself up for success by removing potential distractions from my environment.

 

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[piano]

I need to put down the chips and get back to work lmao

View attachment 46648

360 hours in beamng? Gigachad

 

[buznezGopher]

Here's my one month later update:
It's been one month since I made this post, and I can luckily say things have gotten better. I'm far from perfect and it's not like I'm jumping up from bed at 5am grinding until 8pm, but these are the things I've successfully improved in my life:

• I've successfully become unaddicted to League of Legends. How: I deleted all my LoL accounts from my password manager, I unsubscribed from all LoL channels on YouTube, I resist the urge to join my friends for "just one game" because I know it's much easier to resist joining the first game than to resist joining the next one. Also, I've told one of my friends who also doesn't play LoL that I'll have to give him $100 if I as much as install the game again.
• I've recognized that there will always be distractions, and I have to learn to manage myself and procrastination. Currently I'm reading a fantastic straight-to-the point book by Damon Zahariades called The Procrastination Cure which makes it very obvious what needs to be learned and done to avoid procrastinating with very practical knowledge and advice. Highly recommended. From now on I'll follow my carefully designed schedule so I know important things get done during the days without distractions, and I can do whatever I want in the evenings with good conscience.
• I have not sold my PC yet. I posted it for sale, but I haven't received any buyers yet. However, while it has been sitting for sale and I've had this gaming PC just as before, I currently don't feel like gaming controls me, instead I control it. That sounds pretty dumb as I'm writing it, but that's just how the situation was. As I wrote in the previous point, I've realized there will always be distractions, but gaming (especially highly addicting game like LoL) will always be the strongest "drug" of distractions for me. It's possible that LoL gaming could be replaced by watching YouTube, TikTok or something similar highly stimulating "drug" all day long. I did buy the VR headset which is a fun gadget, but yes, I would have survived just fine without it as some here pointed out.
• I've read The Great Rat Race Escape ! Great book that's both very entertaining and educational.
• I have gotten a lot of schoolwork and job-work done. By just jumping in to these tasks instead of letting myself get distracted and hide from even slightly challenging tasks, I've been quite productive lately. However, this weekend I did slack off and I did not get as much done as I've hoped, but tomorrow it's back on track with my strict schedule. That's time I could have spent working on my business, but instead I found myself relaxing with movies, reading, learning by books or videos, and being social. I'm continuously learning about productivity and procrastination, and this is a continuous WIP.
• I've started working out by getting a personal trainer at my local gym. That helps immensely for two major reasons: 1. I am confident at the gym because I know what I do at the gym is correct, and that makes working out fun and makes me want to go and get progress, and 2. I have paid for it, and my PT expects me to show up, so I have to show up.
• I've started reading more. That's how I've become aware lately on procrastination, and I've been reading books specific for what I'm trying to accomplish in my life both personally and for my side project business. Currently I'm reading: The Procrastination Cure, Fast Focus, Eat that frog, and Dotcom Secrets. Also related to this: I found an app called NaturalReader that reads books, articles, websites, PDFs and whatever, in scary realistic voices. It just almost sounds human. I put it at 2-2.5x speed and that has been insanely effective for me because now I can read anything much faster (probably twice as fast) with substantially greater comprehension. The edge browser also has a built in speech function for PDFs which I recommend trying to see if it can help you as well with either reading effectiveness and or comprehension. I use it since I loved the Amazon narration on The Great Rat Race Escape which narrates while you read, but it's not available on all books (and it's expensive for me as a student).

So, I don't necessarily need to sell my PC because the entire idea behind it was to get rid of my gaming persona, thus the gaming habit and addiction. I feel like that has been solved now, so I won't sell it unless I get a good price for it.

 

[srodrigo]

I've successfully become unaddicted to League of Legends. How: I deleted all my LoL accounts from my password manager, I unsubscribed from all LoL channels on YouTube, I resist the urge to join my friends for "just one game" because I know it's much easier to resist joining the first game than to resist joining the next one. Also, I've told one of my friends who also doesn't play LoL that I'll have to give him $100 if I as much as install the game again.

The problem is online competitive games I think. I too uninstalled some PC RTS game multiple times, unsubscribed from YouTube channels, etc. But I always came back after a month. The only thing that (I hope) has buried it for the good is that I get health issues when I do hardcore gaming (age doesn't forgive, lol). It's just not worth to mess up with my health (on top of the time you waste getting nowhere).

I still keep my Nintendo Switch (avoiding any online competitive stuff) but I haven't even unpacked it since before Christmas. Same with some PC game I bought on Christmas to play with my sister, I haven't touched it since and I feel lazy even thinking of starting it up, but it's not an online master-the-F*ck-out competitive game.

 

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[buznezGopher]

The problem is online competitive games I think. I too uninstalled some PC RTS game multiple times, unsubscribed from YouTube channels, etc. But I always came back after a month. The only thing that (I hope) has buried it for the good is that I get health issues when I do hardcore gaming (age doesn't forgive, lol). It's just not worth to mess up with my health (on top of the time you waste getting nowhere).

I still keep my Nintendo Switch (avoiding any online competitive stuff) but I haven't even unpacked it since before Christmas. Same with some PC game I bought on Christmas to play with my sister, I haven't touched it since and I feel lazy even thinking of starting it up, but it's not an online master-the-F*ck-out competitive game.

I've wasted some time playing single player games as well. I say wasted, because I procrastinated and played while I should be doing work that would progress my life and not in the game. But yes, I agree competitive games might get you hooked harder than single player games due to the never ending progress like in LoL...

 

[WeeksOutstanding]

Here's my one month later update:
It's been one month since I made this post, and I can luckily say things have gotten better. I'm far from perfect and it's not like I'm jumping up from bed at 5am grinding until 8pm, but these are the things I've successfully improved in my life:

• I've successfully become unaddicted to League of Legends. How: I deleted all my LoL accounts from my password manager, I unsubscribed from all LoL channels on YouTube, I resist the urge to join my friends for "just one game" because I know it's much easier to resist joining the first game than to resist joining the next one. Also, I've told one of my friends who also doesn't play LoL that I'll have to give him $100 if I as much as install the game again.
• I've recognized that there will always be distractions, and I have to learn to manage myself and procrastination. Currently I'm reading a fantastic straight-to-the point book by Damon Zahariades called The Procrastination Cure which makes it very obvious what needs to be learned and done to avoid procrastinating with very practical knowledge and advice. Highly recommended. From now on I'll follow my carefully designed schedule so I know important things get done during the days without distractions, and I can do whatever I want in the evenings with good conscience.
• I have not sold my PC yet. I posted it for sale, but I haven't received any buyers yet. However, while it has been sitting for sale and I've had this gaming PC just as before, I currently don't feel like gaming controls me, instead I control it. That sounds pretty dumb as I'm writing it, but that's just how the situation was. As I wrote in the previous point, I've realized there will always be distractions, but gaming (especially highly addicting game like LoL) will always be the strongest "drug" of distractions for me. It's possible that LoL gaming could be replaced by watching YouTube, TikTok or something similar highly stimulating "drug" all day long. I did buy the VR headset which is a fun gadget, but yes, I would have survived just fine without it as some here pointed out.
• I've read The Great Rat Race Escape ! Great book that's both very entertaining and educational.
• I have gotten a lot of schoolwork and job-work done. By just jumping in to these tasks instead of letting myself get distracted and hide from even slightly challenging tasks, I've been quite productive lately. However, this weekend I did slack off and I did not get as much done as I've hoped, but tomorrow it's back on track with my strict schedule. That's time I could have spent working on my business, but instead I found myself relaxing with movies, reading, learning by books or videos, and being social. I'm continuously learning about productivity and procrastination, and this is a continuous WIP.
• I've started working out by getting a personal trainer at my local gym. That helps immensely for two major reasons: 1. I am confident at the gym because I know what I do at the gym is correct, and that makes working out fun and makes me want to go and get progress, and 2. I have paid for it, and my PT expects me to show up, so I have to show up.
• I've started reading more. That's how I've become aware lately on procrastination, and I've been reading books specific for what I'm trying to accomplish in my life both personally and for my side project business. Currently I'm reading: The Procrastination Cure, Fast Focus, Eat that frog, and Dotcom Secrets. Also related to this: I found an app called NaturalReader that reads books, articles, websites, PDFs and whatever, in scary realistic voices. It just almost sounds human. I put it at 2-2.5x speed and that has been insanely effective for me because now I can read anything much faster (probably twice as fast) with substantially greater comprehension. The edge browser also has a built in speech function for PDFs which I recommend trying to see if it can help you as well with either reading effectiveness and or comprehension. I use it since I loved the Amazon narration on The Great Rat Race Escape which narrates while you read, but it's not available on all books (and it's expensive for me as a student).

So, I don't necessarily need to sell my PC because the entire idea behind it was to get rid of my gaming persona, thus the gaming habit and addiction. I feel like that has been solved now, so I won't sell it unless I get a good price for it.

It's lovely to hear your progress - keep it up

I think you're on a virtuous cycle and hope you keep going. I previously had similar issues and found that as things improved, I could create a story in my head that "I'm now in control" and then became complacent.

With the benefit of hindsight, I think that just staying strict with myself was more helpful and that I was more attached to the idea of games being a nice leisurely activity that I made good memories from. Having reduced the overstimulation at this point, I can say that learning and working on my business is as engaging, and more rewarding

Just sharing in case it helps you prevent you from sliding a couple of steps back, but regardless I'll be supporting you on your own journey!

 

[srodrigo]

I've wasted some time playing single player games as well. I say wasted, because I procrastinated and played while I should be doing work that would progress my life and not in the game. But yes, I agree competitive games might get you hooked harder than single player games due to the never ending progress like in LoL...

Yeah, even if you spend 200h on The Witcher 3, it is a finite game and you'll eventually be done with it. Whereas LoL, Starcraft, etc., are infinite. That's the shit I try to avoid like rat poison.

 

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[buznezGopher]

Yeah, even if you spend 200h on The Witcher 3, it is a finite game and you'll eventually be done with it. Whereas LoL, Starcraft, etc., are infinite. That's the shit I try to avoid like rat poison.

True. Either way, if you plan your weeks and days, and truly follow a schedule so you know things get done, you could play anything at the end of the day with good conscience.

Right now I think I’ve found what works for me: eat the frog. As long as I do what needs to be done first during the day, most important tasks first, I can do what I want for the rest of the day, it could be working further on my company or hang out and play games with friends.

At the same time I’m not going to try playing lol, because that shit gets me truly addicted, but I play other games with friends to chill out and that works great