Good way to give up video games?

[TheOne33]

For a while now I’ve been playing pretty violent video games. I wouldn’t say I’m addicted, but I’m definitely attached. If I have work to do then I usually won’t be tempted to play but it’s different story when there’s nothing to do. I’ve also tried to grow spiritually by doing daily bible readings, rosary, and reading the CCC, but the games (and laziness) are what are holding me back. Anyone know how I can accomplish this?

 

[Iggy85]

Do you live alone, or do you live with others? If you live with others, have someone hide the console and everything that you need to play the game while your gone one day. After a few months, use it to reward yourself, and only allot yourself a certain amount of time to play it, say, once a week. Once your time is up, have someone hide it again. I would also get rid of the violent games and get more family friendly ones. If you do give it up for a few months, you may find that it doesn’t appeal to you anymore.

 

[HansTrappist]

For a while now I’ve been playing pretty violent video games. I wouldn’t say I’m addicted, but I’m definitely attached. If I have work to do then I usually won’t be tempted to play but it’s different story when there’s nothing to do. I’ve also tried to grow spiritually by doing daily bible readings, rosary, and reading the CCC, but the games (and laziness) are what are holding me back. Anyone know how I can accomplish this?

Read the section of the Catechism on Idolatry to put things in perspective.

A good way to lose the habit would be to spend more time each day in prayer than in playing video games.

But leave yourself a little time each day to relax and play video games if you so choose.

 

[Joe_5859]

For a while now I’ve been playing pretty violent video games. I wouldn’t say I’m addicted, but I’m definitely attached. If I have work to do then I usually won’t be tempted to play but it’s different story when there’s nothing to do. I’ve also tried to grow spiritually by doing daily bible readings, rosary, and reading the CCC, but the games (and laziness) are what are holding me back. Anyone know how I can accomplish this?

Pack up the console and put it in the closet, preferably behind lots of other stuff. It’s a lot easier to avoid if you have to dig it out of the closet, take it out of the box, un-twisty-tie the cords, and connect everything every time you want to play for a little bit.

I remember having to do that in college when I got tired of everyone coming to my dorm room at all hours to play Goldeneye and then always getting mad when I beat them. I packed it up and had a restful couple of months.

 

[onjac]

For a while now I’ve been playing pretty violent video games. I wouldn’t say I’m addicted, but I’m definitely attached. If I have work to do then I usually won’t be tempted to play but it’s different story when there’s nothing to do. I’ve also tried to grow spiritually by doing daily bible readings, rosary, and reading the CCC, but the games (and laziness) are what are holding me back. Anyone know how I can accomplish this?

I can understand. I’m in a similar position myself. From my experience, you just have to find a substitute for the time you spend playing video games. It’s easier when you’re doing something else with another person or a group. For example, playing tennis.

I find it easier to ‘crowd out’ a bad habit than to just uproot it. Kinda like eating more healthy foods vs. crash diets.

I think the Bible mentions something like this, using the analogy of weeds.

 

[GF_Girl]

For a while now I’ve been playing pretty violent video games. I wouldn’t say I’m addicted, but I’m definitely attached. If I have work to do then I usually won’t be tempted to play but it’s different story when there’s nothing to do. I’ve also tried to grow spiritually by doing daily bible readings, rosary, and reading the CCC, but the games (and laziness) are what are holding me back. Anyone know how I can accomplish this?

Unfortunately, the only advice I can give you is to go cold turkey. Yes it is hard, but try doing something that can help you do something other than video games when you feel there is no work to do. Try knitting or crocheting, you can learn to make a baby blanket and donate it to Project Linus or knit a hat and donate it to Halos of Hope for cancer patients. You do something that if addictive can actually help people and help you break your habit of the games and laziness.

 

[hannajomar]

Pack up the console and put it in the closet, preferably behind lots of other stuff. It’s a lot easier to avoid if you have to dig it out of the closet, take it out of the box, un-twisty-tie the cords, and connect everything every time you want to play for a little bit.

I actually did a similar thing once with my tv. I wrapped up the rabbit ears and put it way back in the closet. Then I couldn’t mindlessly just turn on the tv out of laziness. Having to work a little to watch it, I ended up watching about once a week.

Good luck, TheOne33!

 

[AnneElizabeth]

Yeah, my vote is for cold turkey!

Yet, plan ahead. Plan for some sort of other activity that is wholesome and will take up that time usually spent playing the games. Plan for something that will keep yourself busy. Is there anything else you’d feel is more constructive with your time? Anything else you feel is wholesome and good that you’d feel better about yourself spending your time in that way? If you don’t plan, it will be harder. Perhaps exercise, or lift weights? Maybe volunteer somewhere? Clean your basement? Take a walk? Chat with the lonesome neighbor?

Best wishes!!

(my apolgogies to GF_Girl,… I just realized you said the same basic thing already.)

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

For a while now I’ve been playing pretty violent video games. I wouldn’t say I’m addicted, but I’m definitely attached. If I have work to do then I usually won’t be tempted to play but it’s different story when there’s nothing to do. I’ve also tried to grow spiritually by doing daily bible readings, rosary, and reading the CCC, but the games (and laziness) are what are holding me back. Anyone know how I can accomplish this?

Here’s a better question: Do you even have a good reason to?

Because if you have, you certainly did not write it here.

 

[TheOne33]

Here’s a better question: Do you even have a good reason to?

Because if you have, you certainly did not write it here.

I feel like it takes up too much time.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I feel like it takes up too much time.

Well that depends. I’m personally a time-paranoid person myself so I can understand doing away with video games for something you would actually want to do more.

Re-reading this in the context of your first post, I’m guessing you’d rather do religious stuff more am I right? Well, whatever floats your boat then.

It’s just that the general advice I’ve seen you get so far is giving a false impression that your games are inherently harmful.

 

[tektonik]

People were surprised I was listening to Christmas music while playing Borderlands 2. I stopped playing video games 6 days ago cold turkey. Do the same and keep track of how many days without you are going. It’s fulfilling With that time freed up, you’ll do better things.