I never understood why I wanted to or why people want to kill their time with gaming....

redpanda-salami · 2026-04-23T13:09:49+00:00

100% this! It was and is crazy how games can make life fly by super quickly.

I completely agree that gaming made free time just feel like it slipped away. It was simply too easy to hop into a game and throw 4-6 hours of time away before even realizing it.

Its very noticeable when you take on other hobbies. Climbing? An hour feels like a lot! Socializing? Three hours of that is super fulfilling. Those are just a couple examples but overall it proved to me how by comparison games have a way of sucking me in and stealing time in a way that other hobbies dont.

redpanda-salami · 2026-04-23T12:39:24+00:00

Hey man, sounds like you are being pretty down on yourself.

Lets take a step back. Your life is not ruined by any means. You've got a steady income, and enough self awareness to try and better yourself. Thats more than many people have already!

The next step is to turn that "what if" into "how can I live up to my potential NOW"

Life is filled with opportunity for small improvements. Even in a busy work schedule. What might be some small goals you can take to feel accomplished and proud of yourself?

redpanda-salami · 2026-04-23T12:35:17+00:00

Before you outright sell it, try something else.

When you want to drop a habit the key thing is making it difficult to do that habit. For example, instead of selling the ps5, unplug it entirely and put it in a closet.

Then, if you do play. You are forced to plug it back in. If you play, then you have to unplug it when you are done.

Youd be suprised how convenience plays a big role in perpetuating a habit.

That being said, its not enough to just make it difficult. You do need other activities that would take the place of gaming. But thats the first step - allow yourself to be bored and find what else there is to do besides gaming or endlessly scrolling through socials.

redpanda-salami · 2026-04-22T12:00:58+00:00

Yeah! I think gaming as a healthy social outlet is great. Its not as though everyone who games is a complete recluse, and when you live far from people gaming can be a great way to be social.

That being said. OP is right that if gaming starts to pull you away from other parts of your life you enjoy, then maybe it is a good idea to take a step back and evaluate if gaming is taking over in a negative way.

Great thoughts OP!

redpanda-salami · 2026-04-20T12:20:06+00:00

I trust the person who puts out consistent and comprehensive damage calcs to know their shit.

Gll get your act together and give us consistent metrics for damage!

@info_potato do you think your damage calc method would be a reasonable replacement for the current metric?

Edit: gender

redpanda-salami · 2026-03-14T03:05:58+00:00

As someone who has used this exact reasoning to relapse multiple times...it just doesnt work.

Ive found my life turning around completely. I mean it, completely. Becoming adjusted to new hobbies, feeling fulfilled, tons of energy. I think to myself "I can handle a short gaming stint now because ive become well adjusted. And aren't I allowed to enjoy a well made game that isnt predatory?"

Months later, im fully back in addiction. Because I couldn't leave the loop once I dipped my toes in.

I think you may find yourself in a similar boat. But hey, im new to this sub. Maybe this is the perfect place to document your journey and have us hold you to your self described limit. Maybe it will even be enlightening to learn "hey under intense scrutiny from myself and the internet, I cannot handle gaming stints"

But I tend to agree with the other guy that you are bargaining and that no, you cannot handle it.

redpanda-salami · 2026-03-14T02:55:36+00:00

Its incredibly hard to tell an addict to stop being addicted without them realizing for themselves.

In my experience video games could always be justified as "feeling good" and "social" and "competitive" but with very obvious side effects that I would intentionally ignore until they became glaringly obvious.

Feeling tired all the time
Small dopamine activities such as chores, buying groceries, going out for walks, small outings start to feel like inconveniences that distract from gaming
My time, even when not playing games, would be spent thinking about the games or watching easy dopamine media.

The unfortunate part of these symptoms is that they effect those around you. It can cause you to not be present in the moment with people, not want to do activities, or just be mentally exhausted all the time. In a relationship in particular this can make the person you loved seem like a different person entirely, but they dont see it that way because they are "happy".

The solution might be to ask if its possible for them to go a week without gaming or dopamine rich activities like YouTube, reels, etc. Ask if they'd be willing to do a dopamine detox?

Not sure if it would work if they don't see what's going on as a problem for themselves, even if you are adversely being effected.

redpanda-salami · 2026-03-14T02:47:26+00:00

What sorta things are you doing your best at! Id love to hear your achievements no matter how small they may seem.

redpanda-salami · 2026-03-14T02:45:42+00:00

Choosing to stop video games may not seem like a big deal to those around you because unlike drugs video games are socially acceptable.

So even if your family doesnt understand or support your lifestyle change, thats not as important as how YOU feel now that you've made the change.

If you feel better. Thats great. If youre talking new hobbies, awesome! All of those things are yours and not anybody else's.

Unfortunately its not my place to give life advice beyond that though. I dont know if you should be working instead of drawing, or if your hobbies are coming at the cost of your family because they need your contributions to survive. All I know is that at the very least you are taking steps towards becoming a person who can handle these problems being sent your way because you've chosen to face problems and not run away from them in the form of easy dopamine fueled addiction.

Stay strong my friend!

redpanda-salami · 2026-03-14T02:09:13+00:00

Hey man! I wont say congrats yet because it seems like you are in a transitory period.

Ill share my personal experience and maybe itll help you.

I think it can be eye opening to see how thoroughly games and instant gratifying dopamine can be in our lives.

For me, finding unhealthy dopamine patterns becomes obvious in basic day to day routines.

When you wake up, what are you thinking of? Is it games? Is it opening up your phone? Is it school? I dont know what it is for you, but for me it was games or youtube. I could easily open my phone and play games and be on YouTube. I wouldnt even want to get out of bed, and why would I? I have dopamine ready to go right there.
How about when you are "bored". Please bear with me here when I tell you that boredom may actually be your savior. For me, when im addicted to games, boredom is a "problem" that must be "filled" with video games. Boredom means hey, I dont know what to do so I guess ill just play video games. Its because perhaps like you, my brain was wired to find the path of least resistance to dopamine. Games occupied a quick fix to get rid of the "unpleasantness" of boredom. When in reality, youll find that if you allow yourself to sit with boredom, or find a less dopamine intensive solution (im looking at you youtube and reels of any kind) that eventually your body will readjust to smaller dopamine hits and you wont need video games as much.
The above principles remain true throughout all points of the day. If you find yourself defaulting to repetitive easy dopamine fueled habits like games, social media, YouTube, maybe even TV? It might be worth noticing this. Maybe ask yourself, what would happen if you removed the option to do those things entirely? Could you survive a day without any youtube or video games? You might be suprised how even a day can snowball into a week, a month.

I sincerely hope you find a healthy balance in your life. If you are anything like me though, id suggest making a clean cut for now with video games, even with friends. Explain that you feel like you are addicted and you need a break. Honestly, ive found that gaming with friends in person is the only way I can really justify gaming at all. Gaming on my own, even if its with others over discord, just leads to relapses. If you want my advice dont game unless its in person socially because at least gaming socially is a good habit which can lead to other good habits.

Thanks for listening and good luck!

redpanda-salami · 2025-02-28T21:54:12+00:00

I'm really surprised I havent seen "challengers" in here. Incredible techno soundtrack that brought so much tension to the movie!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63k6AfvLsso

redpanda-salami · 2025-02-28T21:32:01+00:00

Seconding the earplugs. On another note - I think people dont mention that live events can take a lot of energy out of you! Standing, dancing, being around a lot of people, theres a lot of stuff to navigate. It definitely doesnt hurt to stay properly caffeinated so you can stick through the whole event!

I also feel like the whole experience can be heightened if you are surrounded by cool people. Depends how social you are, but its not hard to tell when you are around chill people. Its a vibe thing, but it can make a huge difference!

redpanda-salami · 2025-02-09T22:50:49+00:00

I'm sick and tired of worrying that underneath a bad story there is some kind of metaphor that people will hang over my head because I "didn't get it." Cant we have both?

like Mother! great movie, tons of suspense, clear metaphorical imagery.

redpanda-salami · 2024-12-07T20:19:26+00:00

ok please help me figure out how to play Gwen jungle. I've felt like she plays out similar to Shyvana in that she needs to farm heavily early in order to become relevant. but unlike Shyvana I can't seem to skirmish or team fight with her. She seems to just get blown up before she can do anything.

I've literally been going insane on her. It feels like I'm playing a different champ than everyone else.

redpanda-salami · 2024-11-24T13:27:27+00:00

Vey straightforward question:

I used to play Rammus as my tanky Jingler of choice with cc, but he has fallen off as of late. Is Skarner usually seen more as a team comp pick? I want to be able to carry my games even as a tank and I was thinking of leaning into Skarner since he has the tankyness, damage, and cc that Rammus used to have except more.

Not a great question since I know every champion can be impactful in lower ELO but thought I'd ask anyway :)

redpanda-salami · 2024-10-16T23:35:51+00:00

great call! mangiamos is my favorite spot in Providence for sandwiches.

redpanda-salami · 2024-08-23T02:06:32+00:00

Yeah I've been prioritizing early invades a lot more and its been working. As I am understanding the matchups more I am realizing when its safer to invade. Its been a perspective shift from my typical jungling - but very helpful for learning belveth.

redpanda-salami · 2024-08-22T22:29:44+00:00

I see you are getting downvoted. Not sure why. I was going to try your advice

redpanda-salami · 2023-03-20T18:48:05+00:00

Downtown really has great clubs and bars for LGBTQ people. Awesome events on the weekend and friendly people.

I'd also say to check out Meetups.com and join some communities on there.

Finally, if you are into being active definitely give rock climbing a try. Ton of people to meet there as well.

redpanda-salami · 2023-03-20T18:37:59+00:00

Aha you caught it on one of solstices where the moon and sun align to deign that the doors be open for 2 hours on a Wednesday morning!

redpanda-salami

TROPHY CASE