I was addicted to video games - 31 Day Camera Confidence Challenge - Day 25

I chat about the times I was addicted to video games. While it was an escape at the time I feel I needed. I regret letting MMORPG addiction consume my life. How much more could have I achieved if I didn't let gaming hold me back? How much time did I waste? What were the opportunity costs?
#videogameaddict #regrets
NOTE: This is an uncut, unedited video, in order to practice speaking to the camera for 31 days.
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The Day 25 discussion prompt:
Discuss some regrets you may have and what you wish you’ve done differently.
Feel free to join the 31 day challenge, you can download my prompts here (free!): docs.google.com/document/d/1U...
The playlist of my 31 day journey can be found here: • 31 Day Speak to Camera...

[@meko98743]

I have no idea how or why this ended up in my recommendations but I'm glad KZbin now recommends smaller content creators. And good video. Definitely valuable hearing someone talk about this because a lot of people in the gaming community don't like to acknowledge gaming addiction is a thing, but it absolutely is.

[@AnnAgainAgain]

100% And because it is so "benign" many people do not take it seriously. It's so frustrating.

[@meko98743]

@@AnnAgainAgain I agree, I personally think some of the worst additions are things that are normalized in society, like gaming and drinking, because addicts are always surrounded by them. Also, I'm old enough to remember Jack Thompson and his attacks on video games. I think a lot of gamers are hesitant to accept that gaming addiction is a real thing because people have used gaming addiction as a way to attack video games in the past. Much in the same way the Satanic panic was used to attack rock music and tabletop games in the 80's. But we're not in those times anymore, video games are mainstream and we need to accept the science which clearly states gaming disorders are a real thing.

[@AnotherNewLeaf]

Hey Ann! Saw a comment of yours on Wayne’s Leap Year! Came over here for a sticky beak. What a great idea for a challenge!!

[@AnnAgainAgain]

Thank you! If you give it a whirl, let me know! I'd love to follow along!

[@BeyCinema]

Man, I definitely relate strongly with this one. Video games took up A BUNCH of my free time back then. I wonder what would've happened if I put my free time back into what I'm investing my time in right now or even into other hobbies. And literally almost anything else would've been more fulfilling. Social media still sucks up a good portion of my time still, and I still find myself mindlessly scrolling more than I'd like.

[@AnnAgainAgain]

yeah I've been alright with social media these past few years, but I was a suppppperr heavy twitter user back in the day. Ugh, I wish I could get that time back too!

[@patrick-aka-patski]

Thanks for sharing. Luckily I skipped MMOs back then but got somewhat addicted to football manager games, which hasn't even had a social factor. Wasted so much time I just could spend on something useful.

[@springbreak2021]

This is awesome to hear - I am so easily influenced by gaming, and outside of the occasional grind, it’s not a positive experience. You mentioned a few regrets of social experiences, computer science, coding, etc. I’m curious - do you feel like you’ve missed out or that it’s too late? Sometimes it seems that these things become important to us when we’re ready and not when the timing is right. I deal with these things too and I loved the expression!

[@AnnAgainAgain]

Thank you! That is v true about being ready vs timing, although CS is was the career I wanted to get into ever since I was in undergrad. So I think I was ready those times, but was distracted and/or scared. I definitely feel like I missed out because I had to work my way back up when I was "ready" to try to get into tech. If I had not had video games to obsess over during those critical times when I could have made better decisions. ie, I could have been working in the field this whole time and had 20 to 10 years of experience by now, depending on those missed opportunities. I did make it into tech in my late 30s (I am in early 40s now) so I don't think it is too late to do what you need to do to get where you want to be. But this time, I chose to "obsess" over programming and moving my life forward rather than on video games which is distraction and an approximation of life that only shallowly made me feel like I achieved something.

[@joyhappiness]

moderation is key. if you can't moderate your joys, you're just gonna get addicted to something else. some things DO objectively need to be cold turkeyed, but video games are easily moderated. Focus on getting your money up, not your funny up. soon you will naturally not have time for video games, and so you literally won't be able to be addicted to them. I did the same thing with alcohol. used to heavily drink, i lost 40lbs and my gyatt shrunk as well. then one day I looked at my bank account and saw I owed over $15k in debt just for alcohol...I stopped drinking, focused on getting a job. i cut that debt in half in just 6 months, now i only owe $7.5k for alcohol related debt and i just cannot afford to drink. Do I WANT to drink? yes. does drinking still make me feel like i can escape? yes. But I do NOT have time to do it. i have to get my money up. priorities.

[@AnnAgainAgain]

Yeah a thing I learned about myself is that I have a hard time doing anything in moderation, even down to stuff like having a tendency to overeat. So I try to use what I know about myself to help myself rather than hurt. For instance, like you mention, direct my energies to work my ass off to get rid of debts and build wealth and go crazy there. It sound like you had a tough time at it as well. But you gave up alcohol and beat down 7.5 of debt is freaking amazing. Keep it up!

[@cloud9296]

I am so sad this challenge is almost over, hearing you talk in the morning unedited has been helping me get ready for work at the hospital; it's so calming!

[@AnnAgainAgain]

Awww I am sad too.. and thank you for listening and saying such kind things!

[@321ky]

I used to play all the time as a kid. Like allllllllllll the time. My grandmother couldn’t even watch television because I would play so much. As I got older I sort of lost interest but then I started taking amphetamines (prescription and illegal consumption) and I could play games allllll day. I would even take multiple “speed” pills just so I would desire gaming more. So many issues had become of that addiction, like a spiderweb of problems. I’m like 3 months sober and don’t plan on going back

[@AnnAgainAgain]

There would be times when I plan for gaming 24/7, like taking vacation days for it or when I was in college just not sleep. But instead of feeling rested when getting back to work/school, I am wrecked and stressed out bc I have to catch up on stuff. Total recipe for burnout which I've done to myself many times. Ugh. It really does have lasting effects on so many parts of life. BUT congrats on the 3 months! I am thrilled for you, keep it going!

[@321ky]

@@AnnAgainAgain here’s to our sobriety, healthy and moderated consumptions, and growth to your channel. *non-alcoholic cheers* 🥂

[@foopfighter]

Thank u so much for sharing this is so enlightening for me who just got out of college and is trying to think about the next first steps. Thank you for your teaching ❤

[@AnnAgainAgain]

You are so welcome! What helped me was shifting my mindset to create over consume and it has done wonders for me.

[@leahjeanne7823]

thank you for sharing your story! vulnerability is so brave

[@AnnAgainAgain]

Awww you are so welcome!

[@DaSlowMotionPimpSlap]

Im definitely a video game addict, it was one of my first loves after all. I started really young like maybe 5-6, it got really bad around 14 and then again around 18 but the worse that i regret the most was around from 19-24 where i hard grinded apex legends. I still suck mind you but like 2k hours later i kinda regret it, its the only way i connected with people and kept in contact with my friends as a neet but i wish i just had the opportunity to meet people or talk to friends in real life and go on adventures. But it kept me sane and safe for the most part during covid and when i was really depressed but still i wish i used that time in school and meeting people. But hey im trying now at 25 and im 3 classes away from graduating after this semester. I also wanna quit my youtube addiction and get out there more, breaking my social anxiety and stuff like that but its been tough man, everytine i push out a bit it feels like i get shocked back into my shell and it sucks :( I really empathize with you ann and i wanna let you know you video makes me feel a little bit better hearing someone else talk about something ive struggled with for along time, super brave of you and i appreciate it alot!

[@AnnAgainAgain]

The things I found helped me break out of my addiction is learning new things and making stuff that is interesting to me. I found that I have that addictive personality and it was a matter of directing that attention to something else, which is creating rather than consuming. So you can do it! You can quit gaming and youtube, focus your energy on something else fun but is useful to you. Getting better at something else (cooking, wood working, making videos, writing, etc) is like gaining levels you know? Get those cheevos along the way too! Thinking of it that way really helped me personally. I know you can do it, I am rooting for you!

[@bevansbench]

You're getting so good at this!!! WOW. (I might be comparing myself just little bit and a wee bit jealous ;) ). You're doing great!

[@AnnAgainAgain]

Thanks Bevan! And no comparisons! I thought your latest video was great, you had a lot of energy. Keep it up!

[@bevansbench]

It's difficult to see ourselves objectively. Thanks for your support!

[@DavidVonR]

You're so beautiful! I used to be addicted to video games as well, in particular first-person shooters. So glad I kicked that addiction.

[@AnnAgainAgain]

Thanks David! And super glad you're no longer addicted, enjoy your time back!

[@drivebypoet]

I wish I'd never started playing video games.

[@AnnAgainAgain]

Same...

[@diskographi]

I’m a CS student and I’m big into FFXIV. I wish I did more coding projects but I work full time too so who has the time for with homework and coding? I’d rather do dailies or afk in Limsa while doing something else

[@AnnAgainAgain]

I think if you are working FT that FFXIV can be used as a de-stressor and self care from work stuff. And likewise, you can use coding projects that are fun as self care as well. I have been known to write apps for my games that is equally as fun to me as gaming itself. Just gotta be careful not to cross that line that the "fun" stuff starts to affect your life.

[@diskographi]

@@AnnAgainAgain I agree. Thanks for your response!

[@Stepsandstrides]

Regrets- I have many! 😅

[@AnnAgainAgain]

I could have gone on much longer with more regrets in this video LOL

[@jgfffffffhjiufdddj]

my husband is a video game addict and it sucks suuuper super bad

[@AnnAgainAgain]

My husband was also a game addict, it's how we got together tbh. He's still one though probably not as bad as he is more willing to put the game down if I ask or we have something going on. It's hard to be critical sometimes when I as really sucked into it too. Sadly, I've learned that people won't change unless they realize it and want to change for themselves.