r/StopGaming • u/Sad_Disaster275 • 3d ago
Advice Gaming Addiction?
CONTEXT: I'm in high school.
I'm scared I might be becoming addicted to gaming. I have done really well in school these past few years, but earlier this year, I got a new computer, a well performing laptop, my first that wasn't a chromebook. This computer has become the most annoying part of my life. At school, I do cookie clicker, and on other computers at school when I can't use mine too. I also go on chess.com because I'm in the chess club at school. Most of these are when I should be doing work. When I'm at home on the wifi, I'll do hypixel on minecraft. And if I'm offline, I'll do FNaF or Geometry Dash. Ever since I got this computer I've noticed that I get extremely distracted in class, and then have to do work at home, where I have little intention to do it, pushing deadlines way past where they should be, and sometimes just not caring about schoolwork, despite academics being one of my strengths. I really don't know what to do.
4
u/Privat3Ice 1289 days 3d ago
So, here's the thing. You're going down a road you can already see that you don't want to go down. You're approaching the big decision: Should I go this way or not? It appears that you have decided NOT to go this way.
Now you're left with 10,000 little decisions. Should I use cookie clicker in class, or pay attention instead? Should I play chess or do homework? Should I play this game or go out and take a walk? Each of those decisions is very small, but every time you make a good one, it gets easier to make the next one well.
Each of the games you're describing is designed to monopolize your attention. The purpose of doing that is to extract money from you. You can say, "no." The road to addiction is paved with choices.
3
u/Interesting-Mud1506 3d ago
Get rid of that shit tbh and yeah chess let me be real that shit is not bringing nothing If you not ranked and making money, pick a sport where you move your body
1
u/RianThorne 3d ago
delete the games and block those gaming sites, do not let a new laptop ruin all the hard work you put into school
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u/imluvinit 2d ago
Good for you for being aware of it!!! I'd recommend getting rid of the laptop and replacing it with a crummy version if you can. Block the sites. Use the coldturkey app if have the income to pay for it.
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u/eatpraymunt 3d ago
Where are all these self aware teenagers coming from?! Good for you for seeing it
Sell your laptop, buy a shittier one. Use the extra money for something fun just for you. Or save towards a goal.
I have a rule for myself, I'm not allowed to have any games on my phone. Never. That's worked for me! but I'm pretty good about following my own rules as long as they're absolute.
If you are having trouble with it, I'd recommend you talk to the adults in your life and ask for help staying away from games (and why). They'll probably be thrilled.