My Relaxed Gaming Time Management Method, from a Former 50-Hour-a-Week Pokemon Addict

Have you ever played games for more than 50 hours in a single week?
I have.

When I quit my job due to stress and was living day-to-day on unemployment benefits, a new Pokemon game came out, which was my undoing. I had no job, but I had plenty of time. There was only one thing for a lone Pokemon trainer in that situation to do: play Pokemon.

Even for a NEET, I think it’s safe to say my behavior was abnormal. From the moment I woke up until just before I went to sleep, I dedicated almost my entire day to Pokemon.
I was literally so immersed in the game that I forgot to eat and sleep, so I felt quite ill right after finishing it. Since I have a naturally obsessive personality, it’s a struggle that I become uncontrollable until I either ruin my health or get bored.

Now I live with my parents and work during the day, but I still can't stop myself once I get hooked on a game.
I can't go on like this. There's nothing wrong with adults playing games, but spending all your time on them is a waste in many ways. I want to set aside a little more time for pleasures other than gaming, like reading books or writing essays.

So, I came up with a method.
I call it the Even Loss Time Method.

For example, let's say you set your continuous gaming time to one hour. If you start at 1:00 PM, you stop playing at 2:00 PM (it's helpful to set a timer for one hour). If you want to play again, you decide to start no earlier than 3:00 PM.

In other words, by taking the same amount of loss time as you spent playing, you can secure time for things other than gaming.

Here are two important points to keep in mind.

• It's okay if the set time fluctuates a bit. You can be flexible depending on the situation, such as save points or before and after boss battles. In exchange, make sure to take the same amount of loss time.

• Don't set your total playtime too rigidly. Games are a reward. Since it motivates you by thinking, 'Once I finish my tasks, a game is waiting for me!', it's fine to set your daily playtime loosely.

The key to interrupting your session is to declare it to yourself at a natural stopping point, such as
'I'll stop after this battle ends'
or
'I'll stop after fully healing my party.'
What's important is to actually say it out loud. Don't be embarrassed, whether you're alone or with family. It's even better if you say it cheerfully, like, 'Alright! I'm stopping here!' This is surprisingly effective and makes it easier to shift your mindset.

The good thing about the Even Loss Time Method is that it can be applied to things other than gaming. It works for everything you tend to get absorbed in, such as videos, manga, or creative hobbies.

By practicing this, I've reduced the number of times I skip meals, hold in using the restroom, or leave laundry that finished washing long ago sitting in the machine. It's a relatively easy method to implement, so I hope you'll give it a try.

Games are hard to control precisely because they are fun. You might find yourself starting a puzzle game just because an ad caught your eye.

But both time and money are finite, and if you manage your relationship with them incorrectly, it will inevitably take a toll somewhere. If the Even Loss Time Method can help you create 'your perfect amount of time,' I would be happy.

If you can feel that you used your time well, that might be the greatest victory of all.

(The End)

#MyRelaxedTimeManagement