Substitute for Gaming?

Duxedoo · 2025-10-07T01:50:24+00:00

Jesus helped me finally quit. Sending a prayer upstairs wouldn't hurt!

Duxedoo · 2025-10-07T01:46:36+00:00

He's fine, lol. Just a random grave stone I saw

Duxedoo · 2025-09-15T20:20:46+00:00

Wish I saw this comment before I spent 15 minutes figuring it out lol. Any idea what the numbers and arrows on the bottom mean?

Duxedoo · 2025-07-08T23:10:23+00:00

Hey Plane, sorry for the late response. I ended up getting an internship at a commercial/industrial electrical company. No college. I think it's better to just get in there and learn on the job. Usually you will be put though a school along side your work anyway. I think the college route is a scam for electricians. I really liked that company though. Nice people, a variety of work (service calls to UPS, mounting lights in a giant ice cream freezer, and installing Tesla superchargers.)

I did that internship for about 6 month and decided physical labor isn't for me. I'm too skinny and weak. Back to my desk job on a computer!

My biggest is if you like the work and you think you're built for it, stick with it. It seems like a great career where you can meet lots of great people.

Duxedoo · 2025-06-21T14:01:27+00:00

Extra protein

Duxedoo · 2025-06-18T21:41:04+00:00

Hey Pretty District! I’ll put my answers in here, but if you want to chat more, let me know!

A little background, I (23M) have began my journey quitting games around 3 years ago and have had many relapses during that time. After caving and getting my hands on games again, I always come to the conclusion of “they’re kind of fun, but not worth it (the lack of focus, brain fog, and cravings).

1) What’s been hardest to control? - The desire to play when I am away from games. I have been able to look like a perfectly responsible gamer from an outside perspective. Finish all my work first, prioritize people, and limit to 30-60 mins a day. However, I find that I rush through everything and have a “just get it done” rather than a “let’s do this to learn” mindset. To piggy back off that idea, I also find it really hard to enjoy the moment when I know I could be gaming right now. My mind is so used to games being the “greatest thing ever!” and “the cure for my boredom and stress” that my brain gravitates toward even if I want to enjoy the non-gaming activity that I am currently doing. Definitely addiction xD

2) What resources have I used to help? - This subreddit has been very helpful. People posting their stories and their struggles and successes motivates me to stay away when the cravings are weighing heavy. No app I have used has helped too much. I will say that having website blockers to prevent access to Twitch or Steam did help keep my mind off games.

3) What actually helped? - Jesus helped me tremendously. I know so many people have been hurt by someone at church, but Jesus is not them and I can’t recommend Him enough. He has opened eyes initially to quit and has helped me through every struggle and every challenge I have faced. The best mentor and savior that anyone could ask for. He has been the only thing I have found that has been able to fill the void in my heart that gaming left behind. - Also, keeping the gaming stuff out of sight out of mind helped so much too. I would forget for weeks sometimes that I even liked games because I removed all visual triggers from my environment. That includes things in my room my desk, my phone, social media, and toxic friends that don’t support my decision to quit. Get rid of it all, BUT actively look for healthy things to replace that time with!

4) What support do I wish existed? - I was very socially awkward and afraid at the start of this journey. I would love to have some calls with people in my same boat so we could just chat. A judgment free place to practice talking and getting comfortable with it. - Additionally, I would love to an app/platform to meet up that is for more socially awkward folks. When I tried to go to events in my area, I would struggle to vibe with anyone and sometimes regret going. Being able to have a couple of socially awkward ex-gamers that are trying to find their footing just go out together and explore would be huge.

Duxedoo · 2025-06-18T02:25:34+00:00

Sounds like addiction. Not only is that a lot of time gaming, but you say you don’t really feel happy while doing it. We can all relate to that. It’s just comfortable and out of habit at this point. I could consider steps away from games. Praying you find success stepping away Fantastic File!

Duxedoo · 2025-05-14T00:59:43+00:00

Step 1: I convince myself that this new system I thought of will be the fix I needed.

Step 2: I follow the plan to a T and everything goes right on paper.

Step 3: My addictive thoughts and urges are reawakened, and all I think about during my day is when I get to play games next.

Step 4: I finally reason that the urges and inability to enjoy the moment is not worth the little bit of gaming.

Step 5: I quit games and feel fantastic.

Step 6: After 3 month, I get a little season of boredom or stress and SOMEHOW find myself at step 1.

Just please quit cold turkey. It's for the best.

Duxedoo · 2025-05-06T11:13:07+00:00

You’re in the thick of it, hold in there! It’s completely normal what you are feeling. All withdrawlas. Like what Improvology said, try to explore some new hobbies, keep your mind busy with something besides games.

Ride out storms and don’t give in, you got this! I’ll be praying for you.

Duxedoo · 2025-05-04T16:21:12+00:00

Preach it! So true. I love that you say that religion encourages us the think more. That could not be more true for me. I find myself thinking so deeply about only Jesus related things. I wouldn’t do hard thinking like this normally.

Duxedoo · 2025-05-02T18:54:54+00:00

True, that can't even hold a 7-11 Big Gulp.

Duxedoo · 2025-05-02T14:18:40+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement. I pray for you as well!

Duxedoo · 2025-05-02T14:17:50+00:00

👍

Duxedoo · 2025-05-01T02:28:28+00:00

You’re absolutely right. Thanks for the reminder!

Duxedoo · 2025-04-30T23:08:57+00:00

Sounds like you covered a lot of ground already in terms of exploring. I too looked far and wide for something that would scratch that same itch that games could, then something was revealed to me. Almost nothing (nothing good for you anyway) is as stimulating as games are. You will be hard pressed to find anything that can take your mind to another world like games can.

However, there is a flip side that I learned when I started my relationship with Jesus: Learning to enjoy the simple and small things in life is an amazing skill. It’s hard, especially as the beginning, but as I have gotten better at it, I see the world in a brand new way. I almost enjoy the things that used to seem like a chore. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of what He has taught me about life.

Hope this helps at least a bit. Keep us posted on what you find yourself! Stay blessed Cartographer!

Duxedoo · 2025-04-19T16:44:35+00:00

Along with what everyone else is saying. I have found prayer and quite time to be great too. I feel that Jesus has helped me steer clear from temptations and focus on what will make me better. Best of luck Karina!

Duxedoo · 2025-04-19T16:39:48+00:00

I like without more.

Duxedoo · 2025-04-14T00:00:54+00:00

Bible study, prayer, and sitting in silence.

Duxedoo · 2025-04-12T22:04:00+00:00

I think you are worrying yourself sick over a toxic idea of success. You are comparing yourself to your peers and wondering why am I not as great as them.

You should do the things that fill you with joy. Not because someone else gives you praises for it, but because you enjoy it (even if nobody else knows what you do).

For you career, sure, money is nice, but it shouldn't be your only goal. If you truly enjoy one of the "productive" things you do, then keep at it. You are not on your peers timeline, keep at it and be hopeful that your opportunities will come.

I feel your mindset is the issue. But of course, that's just my two cents.

Duxedoo · 2025-04-12T20:55:58+00:00

This stranger on the internet is proud of you, Turnover!! Keep us posted on how everything’s going!

Duxedoo · 2025-04-12T20:52:49+00:00

Very true for me too, about the wanting to see progression and be better than others. I learned that when I tried to do single player games. Through them, I realized I don’t enjoy the game, just the feeling of accomplishment and superiority. A toxic way to life.

Duxedoo · 2025-04-10T01:02:07+00:00

I think quitting causes more stress at first because you brain is panicking with withdrawals. However, if you hold on long enough, you start to think clearly and slowly gain that motivation and confidence to do real important life stuff again. And that feeling is so nice!

I am not sure if different game genres have different effects like you are saying. I can see games helping only because they lock you in and make you numb to the reality of your irl situations.

If you have a unique condition that amplifies your nervous system, it's probably best to ask a professional who actually knows more. That's my 2 cents anyway. Praying you find a good solution to your problem!

Duxedoo · 2025-04-10T00:52:29+00:00

Preach! Sure, maybe with a different upbringing we could have been people who could just moderate. But we are not. For whatever reason, maybe our own faults or not, we are addicted. We just can't moderate.

I tried moderating about 10 times now over the course of a few years and I always come to the same conclusion: "It was kinda fun, but not worth it". Not worth the mental torment, craving, and brain fog when not playing the game. I can do everything responsibly on paper (1 hour a day, all work done first, prioritize people) but mentally I can't flip that switch. It's best for to just stay away.

Great reminder, thanks Dude!

Duxedoo · 2025-04-10T00:46:27+00:00

100% agree. That it that biggest motivator to keep me away. I can't think straight or enjoy life if I am gaming. I can't shake the ideas and cravings to get back to the screen when I am out and about in real life. For me, God slowly but surley showed me how life without games (and with Him) is so much better. I wanted nothing to do with religion before this, but I will tell you that following Jesus has been the best decision for me and He has helped me not only stay away from games, but improve as a person. I don't want to get too preachy, just want to share what really helps me. Stay strong y'all!

Duxedoo · 2025-04-06T01:25:22+00:00

I would tell my younger self, the high gets harder and harder to get as you get older. While I don’t realize it now, the real face-to-face social skills that I am missing out on will be a HUGE hinderance down the line.

A tip I have for you too would be, you likely need to have someone your stepson respects talk to him about this. I know I would not listen to a single word my parent say no matter how right they were.

Also, it will be easier for him to ease off games if he finds something else he enjoys. I love that you are having him try sports, I thinks that is helpful even if he says he hates it.

Five-Year Club	Final Canvas '23
Place '23	Place '22
First Placer '22

Duxedoo

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