Life in RL
Part One: Having Enough Faberge Eggs
Feb. 23, 2010
By stealth_toilet

I am addicted. There was a time when calling myself a "game addict" was somewhat true, but mostly endearing, humorous, and even a tad ironic. Circumstances have changed since then, and I now find that my addiction to games is actually a detriment to my health, lifestyle, and well being. I don't mean to be melodramatic; I don't believe my life hangs in the balance, or that I need an intervention of any kind. I certainly find a problem of this nature to be somewhat egotistical and self-serving; I am basically saying my affluent, care-free, 1st-world country lifestyle is too affluent and care-free. It's like saying the problem with my Ferrari is that I'm afraid someday it might get wrecked in a crash, completely overlooking just how privileged I am to have a Ferrari. I am aware of the fact that we should all be so lucky to consider a problem like addiction to entertainment an actual problem, so do not misinterpret the gravity of the situation when I say I have to quit. I don't need to quit playing games in the same way trapped earthquake victims need to be rescued, or the voices of the politically oppressed and disenfranchised need to be heard. I could keep up my addiction to games and in many ways still enjoy a life preferable to that of the majority of the population. But I feel I have the opportunity and privilege to live an even better life, and it would be an insult to all those who have been denied the privilege and opportunity not to take advantage of it. More than that, however, is that I don't want to think of myself as a game addict, at least not seriously, and so I have taken advantage of the 40 days of Lent to change precisely that.

I should be clear, the entry of Lent as a factor in this decision making process is more a product of good timing than anything. I'm not about to embark on a religious crusade, or be a witness to the benefits of a religiously centered lifestyle. If my addiction went unchecked for another few months it could just as easily be in response to the occurrence of Ramadan. I also don't want to detract from the sanctity of actual, spiritual pilgrimages and practices that go on throughout the year around the world by the spiritually minded; I just play videogames too much, and I have been looking for an excuse to take a bit of a break. In my case, I need to practice a little discipline, adjust to a mentality less concerned with instant gratification, and get a handle on the game of life. So to those of you who cringe at the thought of reading something that may be laced with a religious agenda, you need not fear that this will be the case. I don't think of this as an act of piety or religious fervor, indeed I would sooner consider this an act with selfish, narcissistic aims at the heart; the betterment of my own personal life. Whether or not those two are actually incompatible, well, I leave that up to the philosophers. Philosophize on! But don't let that keep you from reading on.