Quitting video games... one year later

Summary

In this reflective piece, the speaker recounts their transformative year after quitting video games, which once served as an emotional crutch. They regained 2-3 hours daily, initially leading to feelings of alienation and sadness. Through walks and self-examination, they confronted these emotions and rediscovered a sense of play, eventually joining a dance community. This led to personal growth, new relationships, and reignited passions for singing and reading. The narrative explores themes of emotional healing, self-discovery, and embracing change.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The speaker quit video games a year ago, which was a decision not based on moral judgment but out of frustration and a desire for change.
• 🕒 Quitting video games resulted in the recovery of 2-3 hours each night, which initially led to feelings of panic and restlessness.
• 🚶 Going for walks became a way to cope with the newfound free time and to confront and process feelings of alienation and past failures.
• 💔 The speaker felt a deep sense of alienation both in the real world and within video game communities, despite leading groups and receiving compliments.
• 🌱 Embracing the change, the speaker began to explore and accept feelings of sadness and regret, doing 'catch up' with their soul.
• 💃 Discovering dance and community dance events provided a new, active way to engage with the world and connect with others on a non-verbal, emotional level.
• 📚 Reading became a rediscovered passion, allowing the speaker to connect with ideas and calm the mind, facilitated by a newfound sense of patience.
• 🎵 Singing and participating in a barbershop quartet became a significant part of the speaker's life, providing a creative outlet and a sense of community.
• ❤️ The speaker's divorce was finalized during this year of change, but it was a peaceful process with mutual respect and love.
• 🌟 The year was marked by personal growth, new relationships, and a rekindling of the speaker's inner child, leading to a more fulfilling and connected life.

Q & A

How long has it been since the speaker quit video games?

It has been a year since the speaker quit video games.

What was the primary reason the speaker quit video games?

The speaker quit video games because they were tired of using them as a way to regulate emotions and seeking a sense of community and meaning, which they felt was lacking both in the digital and real worlds.

What changes did the speaker experience after quitting video games?

After quitting video games, the speaker gained 2-3 hours each night, which initially led to feelings of panic and restlessness. This eventually led to going for walks, accepting feelings of alienation, and finding new ways to connect with others and themselves.

How did the speaker's relationship with their body change after quitting video games?

The speaker began to explore more active ways of engaging with their body, such as joining a dance community, which helped them get out of their head and connect with others on a non-verbal, physical level.

What was the impact of dance on the speaker's life?

Dance provided the speaker with a new form of connection and a sense of play that they had been missing. It also led to a significant personal relationship that answered a big question in their life about feeling entwined with another human life.

Did the speaker completely stop playing video games after quitting?

The speaker did not completely stop playing video games but shifted to a more casual and social approach, playing occasionally with friends or for a sense of play, rather than daily systemic use.

How has the speaker's relationship with reading changed after quitting video games?

The speaker has fallen back in love with reading, finding the patience and calm to engage with books that they previously couldn't tolerate, thanks to the new person in their life and the changes they've undergone.

What role did singing play in the speaker's life after quitting video games?

Singing continued to be an important part of the speaker's life, with them participating in multiple groups and even preparing for a regional competition with a barbershop quartet.

How has the speaker's emotional state evolved since quitting video games?

The speaker has gone through a process of grieving the life they were leaving behind, accepting feelings of alienation, and finding new ways to connect and play, leading to a more emotionally fulfilled state.

What are the speaker's thoughts on the future after reflecting on the past year?

The speaker is looking forward to the future with anticipation, expecting more significant changes and is focused on the year ahead rather than dwelling on the past.