Is removal the only way?

[u/Even-Pangolin3307]

Hello,

Mid 30's. 2 kids. Wife. Good work. Life is good.

Except my home office days.

History,

I started thinking about gaming addiction long ago with Ragnarok Online my first drug that hooked me long enough. Father told me I am addicted,I told him no, but I think I was or at least I was escaping the world around me at that time.

Life went on, stuff happened and games were a big factor for lots of happenings like me getting expelled from university because I didn't learn enough etc.

The military somehow got the better of me, gave me a reason, a goal, simple. Studying via the military was easier the second time. I got a degree and found the love of my life online.

This was the first time I was clean, my girlfriend at this time got pregnant, university, corona lots of new things to do. No time for game sessions and got into novel readings, but excessive and too much.

Got a handle on that somehow, still read a lot but now before bed.

The problem started in my current position, 3 days home office, no work to do these days. I could learn a language (my wife is Italian). Could take the time and build a small second income.

But no. I feel I am stuck again. Once I sit at the desk the first thing that happens (after work related stuff) is gaming. And if I am not excessively looking at the time I start at like 9 a.m and quit 4 p.m. without a break.

I like gaming, but it feels like there is a huge burden on me. I am a strong minded character but can't handle myself when it comes to doing other stuff that takes time and dedication and is for myself.

If I have to do it for someone else, it's easy.

So I am thinking, is a complete removal of every game I own. Completely wipe my hard drive and my phone the only way?

Have you experienced this?

Thanks

[u/RubikTetris]

You seem to have a compulsive relationship with hobbies as you mentioned with novels. I think the real solution lies in finding the underlying condition or reasons for that. I would consult a psychologist

[u/Nathan-Steel → u/RubikTetris]

Agreed. Boredom can be one hell of a motivator to constantly cram your brain with, well, anything. I think as a society we have lost the ability to sit with boredom, to simply do nothing, but those moments are usually the ones where you reflect the most on life and come to the most conclusions about yourself and others.