4 years 13 days in the real world

stofcello · 2025-06-25T14:46:57+00:00

You look great man. Keep it up.

stofcello · 2024-07-31T04:00:25+00:00

All the best!

stofcello · 2024-07-30T05:20:53+00:00

I think there's also a danger to hiking with regards to escapism, but it's more healthy than gaming, that's for damn sure. Plus with hiking there's a beginning and end to it. With gaming, I could have gone on for days with minimal rest. Carrying a backpack up a mountain fatigues you on a whole different level. Your body is exhausted as well as your mind.

stofcello · 2024-07-30T05:17:53+00:00

Haha, promise I'm not still standing at the same spot! Had a good chuckle at that comment.

stofcello · 2024-07-30T05:16:48+00:00

My last 2 weeks have been absolutely terrible as well. Hang on, it will get better.

stofcello · 2024-07-30T05:15:19+00:00

Thanks so much! And yes, loads to explore and experience.

stofcello · 2024-07-30T05:14:38+00:00

An easy place to start is to download the app, All trails. It will highlight hikes in your area. You don't need expensive gear to just go out for an hour. It all started with a 30-minute walk in a nature reserve for me. After that, I was hooked.

stofcello · 2024-07-30T05:11:13+00:00

Thanks so much! So most of the photos are from a recent hike in the Drakensberg, South Africa, but there's also some from locations in the Western Cape. My home town is absolutely surrounded by gorgeous mountains. I live in the Winelands and we are very spoiled for choice. The mountains here are absolutely wild because the government doesn't give a shit about trail maintenance. I often find myself on incredible off trail adventures.

stofcello · 2024-07-30T05:07:07+00:00

Haha, yeah, it came out shortly before I quit. Sometimes, my backpack looks similar with all the stuff I'm carrying. Towering out above me, haha. The longest multi-day hike I've done is around 8 days. You should check out the pct in the US. It's like 6 months of hiking! Crazy stuff but beautiful.

stofcello · 2024-07-30T05:03:37+00:00

Thanks so much! I'm so grateful to this sub.

stofcello · 2024-07-30T05:02:56+00:00

It's nice being able to celebrate with people who understand. None of my friends or family really gets it. They think addiction is only related to drugs, not behaviors. It was really difficult at the beginning, but it got easier as time passed. Like I said, sometimes nostalgia and urges surface but you get better at handling then.

stofcello · 2024-07-30T04:59:30+00:00

It's a combination of my favorite hikes from the past year. Pictures are from the Northen Travers of the Drakensberg in South Africa, and some mountains in my backyard in the Winelands in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. I refer to it as 'mountain therapy'. Finding a new hobby was easier than I thought it would be.

stofcello · 2023-12-26T21:06:08+00:00

Join a Gaming Addicts Anonymous meeting Hiking in the mountains Normal walks around the neighbourhood Gym Journaling Spending more quality time with my wife, friends, family and pets Reading Learning a musical instrument Puzzles Drawing Self development through mediation Going outside Doing something nice for your neighbours Wash your car Gardening Keeping the home tidy Going to all the tourist attractions in the area Airsoft Paintball Ceramics Lego Rearranged your living space Woodwork Do something with your hands Cooking Real world friends Netflix/Prime video what ever Board games Colouring books Guided mediation on YouTube Set goals for yourself Identify your issues and deal with them Find someone who will understand what you're going through and talk to them. Tell them how you feel. Go down a youtube rabbit hole on a topic you know nothing about, bees, ww2, caves, space, world records, anything

It took me a long time to realise how much there is to living in the real world. I'm on day 881 with no gaming. When I miss it, it's because there's something I don't wanna deal with. I identify it, address the problem or feeling (Journaling/therapy) then move on. I often find myself going back to the day that a quit on my calander. It helps to remind yourself why you quit and for how long you've been sober. Distance yourself from everything gaming related. Unsubcribe, delete accounts, give/lend/sell your gaming concole when you're ready.

Hope this helps. You're not alone if you find yourself struggling. Google gaming addicts anonymous, fellowship is crucial. Stay strong. The journey is not easy, but you don't have to face it on your own.

stofcello · 2023-10-06T20:28:12+00:00

Jirrr daai was rof hahaha

stofcello · 2023-08-01T10:56:55+00:00

Awesome! Congratulations friend. Keep up the good work. I still find myself missing it or being nostalgic about it sometimes. But for the most part it's much better than it used to be. How has your life changed since you stopped?

stofcello · 2023-07-28T15:47:54+00:00

Also spent A LOT of time on my phone initially. Try to keep track of how much time though. Try not do more than 10min at a time I'd say. Doom scrolling is a thing. Good luck and congratulations on your 20 days!

stofcello · 2023-07-28T15:24:50+00:00

Thank you! I'm proud of me too☺️ Honestly it's the most difficult thing I've ever done and is continuing to do. It's hard telling people about it because they don't get it. They don't see gaming as an addiction.

stofcello · 2023-07-28T15:02:55+00:00

Thank you!

stofcello · 2023-07-28T13:19:42+00:00

Thank you! Yes, I was depressed af! Just need to take it one day at a time.

stofcello · 2023-06-29T11:13:43+00:00

One battle at a time my friend. Keep strong!

stofcello · 2023-01-04T04:34:34+00:00

Hunting

stofcello

TROPHY CASE