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MMORPG and real-life balance....how do you do it?Follow
I get most of my gaming done when I'm unemployed. Since I don't have the cash to do anything else.
I do it by having a toddler who isn't afraid to scream and throw things if I pay attention to anything other than him (and I do mean *anything*. He gets mad if I go to the bathroom without him).
Honestly, if you think this is something you would classify as an addiction, the first thing you need to do is block your own access to it. You're 17, so I'm assuming you have pretty constant access to at least one of your parents. Take the discs or your PS2 or whatever, pull your moms aside and say, "Look, I need to put this down for a second because I think it's starting to affect my life badly. Will you put this in your desk at work (or hide it or something) for a week?"
On top of being able to break any abusive cycle you might have with these games, I'll bet your 'rents would be all like, "Oh my god, our little baby! He's so grown up! He's so responsible! Let's get him a car!" XD
But I do want to say that I don't especially think that you're "missing out on the best years of your life". I didn't get into what I would consider to be the "best years of my life" until I was in my mid-twenties. Seventeen just plain blew. There was nowhere for me to go, nothing for me to do, I was old enough to be deemed "responsible for myself" but still not legally an adult. It sucked. It wasn't until after I got over the initial spurt of "Ohmigod I'm legal I can buy **** and beer and get drunk and vote and blah blah blah blah" that I actually started to figure out what it was I really wanted to do and get comfortable with the idea that I really was old enough to do it.
Tell you what, if you hit 22 or 23 and you're still in the same position, then it's a pretty major problem. Right now? Eh. Don't beat yourself up too bad.
Honestly, if you think this is something you would classify as an addiction, the first thing you need to do is block your own access to it. You're 17, so I'm assuming you have pretty constant access to at least one of your parents. Take the discs or your PS2 or whatever, pull your moms aside and say, "Look, I need to put this down for a second because I think it's starting to affect my life badly. Will you put this in your desk at work (or hide it or something) for a week?"
On top of being able to break any abusive cycle you might have with these games, I'll bet your 'rents would be all like, "Oh my god, our little baby! He's so grown up! He's so responsible! Let's get him a car!" XD
But I do want to say that I don't especially think that you're "missing out on the best years of your life". I didn't get into what I would consider to be the "best years of my life" until I was in my mid-twenties. Seventeen just plain blew. There was nowhere for me to go, nothing for me to do, I was old enough to be deemed "responsible for myself" but still not legally an adult. It sucked. It wasn't until after I got over the initial spurt of "Ohmigod I'm legal I can buy **** and beer and get drunk and vote and blah blah blah blah" that I actually started to figure out what it was I really wanted to do and get comfortable with the idea that I really was old enough to do it.
Tell you what, if you hit 22 or 23 and you're still in the same position, then it's a pretty major problem. Right now? Eh. Don't beat yourself up too bad.
I'm a sophmore with a TON of classes, and I used to play every day in the summer (If only for an hour or two) So going back to school was a big ol' nicotine patch FFXI-wise.
Due to school and other things I only log in on the weekends, and not Sunday nights.
If you give yourself only specific times to play, you get all your work done and then when the weekend comes ( Contary to popular belife gamers do have friends, So I play early morning, mid afternoon or late late night ) you can hang out with friends and play FFXI ^_^
Edited, Tue Oct 18 18:56:31 2005 by OmnislashII
Due to school and other things I only log in on the weekends, and not Sunday nights.
If you give yourself only specific times to play, you get all your work done and then when the weekend comes ( Contary to popular belife gamers do have friends, So I play early morning, mid afternoon or late late night ) you can hang out with friends and play FFXI ^_^
Edited, Tue Oct 18 18:56:31 2005 by OmnislashII
I think I am just reiterating what other people have said here but I think that it bears repeating: Set a schedule for yourself! (and here's the hard part:) Stick to your schedule!!!
This is my schedule:
Every morning I give myself about 20 minutes to check on my plants and auctions.
My static party meets Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sarurday or Sunday evenings. We always plan ahead in regards to where we are meeting and what time. This way everyone is ready to go and we get the most out of the evening. I don't watch much TV anymore.
I do crafting on Saturday mornings. After that is done I log my bazaar mule in and get to the housework.
Sunday (or Saturday depending on static) my hubby and I (who is also in my static btw) go on a date. Dinner and a movie... either out or in. :) Monday and Wednesdays we may or may not go online at all.
So.... make yourself a schedule. What time are you out of school? Don't plan to log in right away when you get home! Do something physical for a while. Do your homework. Have dinner. THEN log onto FFXI. Give yourself at least two nights that are off limits for the game. (Friday and/or Saturday date night and Sunday family night... whatever works for you)
Sokarr said it best:
This is my schedule:
Every morning I give myself about 20 minutes to check on my plants and auctions.
My static party meets Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sarurday or Sunday evenings. We always plan ahead in regards to where we are meeting and what time. This way everyone is ready to go and we get the most out of the evening. I don't watch much TV anymore.
I do crafting on Saturday mornings. After that is done I log my bazaar mule in and get to the housework.
Sunday (or Saturday depending on static) my hubby and I (who is also in my static btw) go on a date. Dinner and a movie... either out or in. :) Monday and Wednesdays we may or may not go online at all.
So.... make yourself a schedule. What time are you out of school? Don't plan to log in right away when you get home! Do something physical for a while. Do your homework. Have dinner. THEN log onto FFXI. Give yourself at least two nights that are off limits for the game. (Friday and/or Saturday date night and Sunday family night... whatever works for you)
Sokarr said it best:
Quote:
finish your real life sh*t, it's as simple as that. When you get that taken care of log on and enjoy the game without that nagging thought of your homework being due tommorrow.
Quote:
MMORPG and real-life balance....how do you do it?
I don't.
Hahah.
I dont. Lol.
Either I can't level or get ahead at a decent pace (so friends wont leve me behind) or I **** up at relationships/school/work. Those that can put in the necesary time into the game without suffering elsewhere are a fortunate bunch.
Either I can't level or get ahead at a decent pace (so friends wont leve me behind) or I **** up at relationships/school/work. Those that can put in the necesary time into the game without suffering elsewhere are a fortunate bunch.
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