This year I told myself to give up gaming so I can have more productive time.
Last year, I really got hooked playing Civ 5 that I spend hours trying out every character in the game. I also played other titles. All in all, I think I spent 3-4 months of gaming in 2017. I felt that 3-4 months could have been used for something else more worthwhile and productive.
So I stopped playing on my laptop. I still play casual games on my phone though. But I haven’t played my favorite RPGs and Strategy games. I logged zero hours of gaming in my Steam account for the year.
It was tempting to start when I was idle at times. I still haven’t played the Protoss Campaing for Starcraft 2 and Lara Croft is back with the new Shadow of the Tomb Raider. And there are several games I bought at Steam but never played yet.
But I had back up plans with the extra time I gained for giving up gaming. Maybe that is why I was able to resist the temptation to play.
I signed up for a gym. I get to workout 2-3 times a week. Sometimes even for a 4th visit if time permits.
I read books. Lots of books. I finished several novels and non-fiction books. I enjoyed it a lot and inspired me to start writing as well.
I had new projects. This kept me busy and had very little time to think about playing.
I also achieved new skills like developing an AI Bot. It was like playing a game while I tinker with the logic of creating a bot.
I would probably carry the same plan next year. There are new projects again. I would renew my gym membership for another 6 months. I already bought books that can last for 3-4 months of reading.
I am thinking of pursuing new passions too like doing yoga in the morning and learning to play the guitar just to compete with Gab.
I missed gaming but I think I could have missed more if I haven’t stopped.
