108
How do you moderate yourself?
(media.kbin.run)
I seem to have a problem with moderating myself when it comes to playtime on Video Games, How do you keep yourself from just endlessly playing games?
Honestly, mine came about organically with other responsibilities and interests.
Earlier on, I'd moderated myself but picking up another hobby, like playing bass guitar and adding that into my priorities.
Once out of college, other priorities, like making better than decent meals, my significant other, and continuing my tabletop RPG crew kinda helped me stop spending endless weekend or day off hours on a game.
Probably, the largest piece for me is having a family and a friend group that I care to keep up with. When I was younger, I escaped through games, but now I use them more like how I use a book or TV series and look for experiences I'll find meaningful instead of just grinding rep or xp points in a loop.
@iltoroargento Thank you, I feel like pushing for some of the other hobbies I have such as Video Editing is a more healthy way to express myself. Sometimes it feels like I just get swallowed by the idea of gaming.
Totally get that. And of course!
I think stuff that gets you out of the same headspace and even room in which you game can help reprioritize things.
Video editing is a super useful skill and it may make you want to go out and capture different shots or compile something for someone else, too. My highschool buddy started getting into AV stuff a while ago and just did a really good job compiling the highlights of another of our friend's weddings and I guarantee all of us are gonna keep that file on some drive for a long time!
As others have said, if it's that progression loop kinda thing you're stuck in like with an MMO or online shooter, I say kick that stuff as fast as you can.
If you really wanna keep going with some of the MMO stuff, look into hosting your own game. My buddies and I love old school World of Warcraft and finally decided to host our own server which has been a game changer.
Idk if that's all gonna be applicable, but you can cut down or out a lot of stuff by just identifying what "itch" is scratched by your gaming. If you take steps to control how you consume that media, you are more aware of the time commitment and effect it has on you.
Hope that helps and it's awesome you're looking to introspect about your hobbies!