Preventative Measures Against Gaming Addiction

To help avoid falling into the trap of gaming addiction from the outset, consider the following tips:

• Avoid Online Games: Competitive online games can be particularly addictive. If you must play, opt for offline modes to steer clear of toxic environments and frustration. I spent countless hours honing my skills in games that are now defunct, with their servers long gone and communities dissipated.
• Steer Clear of Mobile Games: This also applies to any games featuring in-game purchases. These titles are engineered to frustrate players, compelling them to spend money to progress. For instance, I once became addicted to Clash Royale, investing significant time and effort into it, even when I despised the game. Ultimately, I deleted it and never looked back—mostly because my phone that could run it well died and my new device couldn't support it.
• Refrain from Buying Consoles: I once had cash ready to purchase a PlayStation 5 upon its release. However, as time passed and the system remained unavailable, I lost interest. Eventually, I realized I didn't need it. After my PlayStation 3 broke down, I decided not to buy any new systems. Simply resisting the urge was enough to extinguish my desire.
• Watch Gameplay on YouTube: Instead of playing, I began watching playthroughs of games that I longed to try, such as Luigi's Mansion and The Last of Us. This approach satisfied my curiosity without the need to engage in actual gameplay.

Now, let’s explore a singular strategy for breaking free from a game that you find hard to put down.

Overcoming the Urge to Play

Recently, I felt a strong urge to revisit Civilization 4, a game installed on my computer. I played it almost every night and found myself thinking about it constantly. Realizing I was attempting to distract myself, I decided to take action.

I enabled cheats.

Surprisingly, this decision transformed my experience. Initially, it heightened my interest, but once I explored all the possibilities, the allure faded. I no longer think about the game or feel compelled to play. I had satisfied my curiosity and achieved everything I wanted to in that game, leaving no further intrigue.

If you’re struggling to detach from a game, consider enabling cheats. If cheats aren’t an option, lower the difficulty to breeze through it and move on. For online games, the challenge is greater; I was forced to stop playing when my gaming computer broke, and by the time I replaced it years later, the gaming communities I once engaged with had vanished. Fortunately, by then, my desire to play had diminished as well.

If you can manage your gaming habits, enjoy the experience. However, if gaming is controlling you and you recognize that it's detracting from your preparation for adult life, give these strategies a try.

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