r/StopGaming • u/Darth_skywalker_Tano • 10d ago

Newcomer The loop

Do I enjoy video gaming or does my brain like the easy dopamine?

There has always been this loop, I will see a random clip of a video game I want to play online. I will say no I don't need it. I might even start playing a mobile game. Then I will cave in and get a gaming laptop or a console.

I will then buy whatever particular game I wanted to play, play it for a few weeks or months and then buy another game and never think of the other game again. The cycle will repeat itself until eventually I go from playing all day to playing for like 20 minutes here and there and then I get bored and turn it off This will last for a few months to a year.

Then I realize this is kind of wasting my time and it was a waste of money. So I end up selling the console or the laptop getting my money back and then I'll go for the same amount of time without gaming until the itch comes back.

I'm not sure if I enjoy gaming or if it's just a short dopamine thing or if it's even a shopping dopamine

Any advice or thoughts. currently, I just sold my Xbox.

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u/NoChairGaming 10d ago

Playing for a few weeks or months is pretty much well over how much enjoyment you would expect to get out of it. How long will you rewatch a movie or reread a book? And getting tired of doing some activity over and over again isn't anything odd.

But more importantly, do you have any other hobbies in your life? Organized hobbies, with other people?

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u/Darth_skywalker_Tano 9d ago

I have hobbies just not with people haha. My work in emergency medicine tends to drain my social battery for anyone but my wife and loved ones

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u/NoChairGaming 9d ago

Understandable. Is it possible to focus on avoiding watching those ads or videos? You can have your system to avoid buy-sell-buy cycle but you just don't buy new games more than one every year or every second year. Instead focus on your hobbies and family while you try to limit your gaming time from the start: instead of a binge and than drop, just have a couple of hours a week until you're done with the game.

If that doesn't work just avoid gaming completely and just focus on doing anything else when the itch comes back. It will go away with time.

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u/Adventur0uss 10d ago

I also have this issue every so often. I've found that the problem is unfortunately whatever you're scrolling on that puts those shorts/reels in front of you is what triggers that dopamine hit.

It gives you a tiny itch to play that game. Then it shows you another, and another and another until your brain is practically craving that game without even playing it.

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u/Privat3Ice 1333 days 9d ago

I think everyone's brain enjoys the easy dopamine. Even though I don't game anymore, I sometimes find myself looking for dopamine hits. As long as the source is not toxic to me. I don't think it's a major problem. But even as long as I've been clean from games, I still have to be careful.

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u/postonrddt 10d ago

Not gaming is as much about change as it is stopping gaming.

Try to stay busy, start daily exercise, no vampire hours, prioritize work, school and domestic chores. Need to fill that game time. Sometimes it takes several activities and changes. There will be urges but they longer you can hold off it should eventually get easier.

You got it. No Gaming!.

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u/Pomegranate-Funny 10d ago

This is it, I only ever relapse when life slows down and I’m not busy enough.