Hi guys...I posted brief info about my background/situation in this post:
http://www.olganon.org/?q=node/28889
I'm ready to make the change and get rid of this addiction!!
Day 1
Yesterday was hard. I worked out I spent 11-12 hours on the computer yesterday and the reality of my situation hit me hard. It's hard for me to accept total responsibility for my life and my choices. It's very painful to realize that it's all of MY choices that have landed me in this situation; unemployed, friendless, not in education, can't drive etc. I don't think I've fully accepted it yet. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I'm thinking about moving my laptop out of my bedroom and into the lounge so I can't just roll out of bed and spend the rest of the day stuck in my room.
Good luck.......
~ I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength. Philippians 4:13~
Hi sarah and welcome to Olga. Congratulations on your decision to get rid of the addiction to the internet. It's a difficult path, but you can do it! Stick close to Olga, read posts, post and attend some meetings if you can. We're all here for the same reason, to exhange our virtual life for real life and we support each other along the way. Be sure and check out the post on withdrawal symptoms here: http://www.olganon.org/?q=game_addiction_withdrawal_symptoms
You will go through them and I think it's a bit easier if you know what to expect. I wish you all the best!
Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. ~Maria Robinson
ABSOLUTELY!
My suggestions for these early days:
Get lots of restGet out of the house/apartment often for different perspectiveMove computer to the kitchen or somewhere where it's not easy to accessExerciseMake a list of chores to accomplish, then cross off each item you've completed; be realistic, don't make the list too long; if you don't do everything on the list, do not worry, doing only one thing is progress.Give yourself time to heal Read posts on OLGA and write your progress
Hugs!
Hello Sarah, thank you for posting your story.
I have a very similar story to yours. I got addicted to video games and computer games relatively early (around 7-8 years old). My mom always put restrictions of 30min-1hour a day on me, and many times this caused argument and friction between us. When I went to college, I was finally free to make my own decisions. I sharply increased the number of hours on the game and surrounded myself with real life gamer addicts. My social life took a huge hit. I have attempted quitting gaming in the past, but it only lasted for a short period. However, I have recently hit the six week period without games and feel much healthier and happier.
I can attribute most of this recent success to four things.
1. Staying active on OLGA. There is so much support on this site.
2. Find new friends - I lost some close friendships with many of my gamer friends, so for a while, I felt like I didn't have any friends. I still talk to my gamer friends, but being around them increases the chances of me picking up computer games again.
3. Read stories on OLGA - it wakes you up and makes you realize how bad gaming can get if you let it continue (I recommend reading tommy's story)
4. Most importantly to me, Find someone that means alot to you - I realized in my current situation I could never be with someone I cared for. Everyday I take steps to improve myself and constantly remind myself of my goals. Many people dedicate their days without gaming/Internet addictions to someone (for some people it is God, for me it is a girl that I care for)
I hope this helps! I'm glad to see you are taking the first step to recovery!
I strongly suggest applying to colleges since it gives you the opportunity to work towards your goals, and it surrounds you with people. Joining clubs and organizations has really helped me avoid gaming. I hope you continue posting your progress! Good luck!
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Mahatma Gandhi
You are very lucky Sarah. I wish I had quit gaming at 19. Keep it up!
Stopped Gaming: June 22nd, 2014.
Hey everyone, thanks so much for all your advice. Just a little update on my life, I passed my driving test and was accepted for an admin job. Working full time means I'm spending a lot less time at home on the computer, but I am still spending every minute on the computer after I get home from work. I'm going to be working on improving this!
YAY!!! glad to hear back from you! GRATS on passing the driving test and getting a full time job! both huge milestones.
Big hugs.
Thanks so much Patria!
Another little update on my life..I was offered a permanent position at my job with a payrise :) I am so happy! I'm also saving for a car and looking to move out when I get a car. If anyone reading this gets bouts of depression and anxiety like I did I cannot reccommend reading self help CBT books enough. Specifically 'The Feeling Good Handbook' by David Burns and ANYTHING by Albert Ellis. They both transformed my way of thinking when I worked hard at changing my self defeating beliefs. All the best :D
And all the best to you :)
thanks for checking back in sarah
drive safe
gl hf
leveling in steps, serenity, sponcys, sponsors, exercise, and sleep, (sanity has been downsized) sober from all electronic games since 11/19/2010
I've hit a block. I can't regulate or control the time I spend browsing the internet. I compulsively check the same websites every 10 minutes, on a loop, for hours at a time. I'll look up and it will be 11pm, and I'll wonder where the last 5 hours have gone, and I realize I've spent them doing nothing productive. It's mindnumbing, it's oblivion, it's escape. But I need to stop escaping, to stop seeking something that will make me forget about my problems and I need to face my problems head on and deal with them.
I'm getting rid of my laptop once and for all and I hope that if I ever return to read this thread, I will remember this point as my turning point and the point at which my life really began. Good luck to everyone here.
bye and i hope it works out for you
Game-free since 7/25/2012
Wow haha long time since I've updated this :) I feel a need to update this one last time. I'm almost 22 now and life is good. Rereading these journal entries and thinking back to how I was (sleeping ALL the time, no friends, scared of talking to anyone, no communication with anyone, and mindlessly browsing the internet and games) makes me sure I was badly depressed and socially anxious. Especially in comparison to who I am now it seems like a lifetime ago.
In terms of tangible progress:
-I have a full time job that pays OK and I'm starting to do stuff I really enjoy at work
-Started to develop some hobbies: drawing, making music, baking, running
-Reached out to my friends again and have started making new friends
-Now have a lovely boyfriend who I adore
-Been living independently for 1 year
-Started seeing a therapist for depression and social anxiety
I think the biggest thing which helped me was seeing a CBT therapist face to face. I avoided it for the longest time (due to anxiety) and tried to self-help and self medicate but it didn't work effectively. I'm happier these days.... and because I'm happy and no longer anxious I'd rather spend my time with friends or doing interesting stuff rather than trying to block everything out by gaming or browsing the internet (I see those things as a waste of time now)
So just remember, it CAN get better and it IS possible to recover!!!!!
The journey is long and hard and NEVER easy or quick or straightforward. Progress is never made in a straight line. You will go backwards occassionally. But it's well worth it, so keep going, and don't give up. For me, it took years to get to this point. Seek help as soon as you can. Put in the effort to getting better.The best things in life aren't the easiest things to attain. The hardest things give you the most satisfaction. Good bye fellow olganons and good luck on your journies!!!
Dear sarahsjourney, thank you for stopping by and giving us an update. It is wonderful to hear that things are going well for you. It gives hope and encouragement to the recovering gamers and the parents of gamers for the future.
Always great to read the success stories. All the best to you!
"The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches." "The first step toward change is acceptance." "Once you accept yourself, you open the door to change. That's all you have to do." "Change is not something you do, it's something you allow."- Will Garcia