Saving Yourself From Yourself

[myxomatosii]

Originally Posted by Messianic [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

30 isn't too bad.

Off-topic, but I find that when things RL are going really well, I stop playing EQ. So my only advice is to be really honest about whether or not you're just escaping into a convenient fantasy and what under the surface is a feeling of a lack of accomplishment in RL. If you're not honest about it, no one could help you anyway.

Well in 3 months I graduate with a degree in Electrical Engineering and a dual degree in Physics, so really I'm just trying not to jeopardize my last semester so my GPA, which I am happy with, doesn't decrease.

Not really sure about escaping real life other than I have cut myself off from gaming completely for the past 4 years to work on my degree so this is really the only game I've played, I think its just the sudden rush of nostalgia combined with being close to the ability to game again.. (senioritis??).

Thanks for the suggestions~~

Originally Posted by Advisor [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I just throw my laptop out the window when I die, then I have to buy a new PC to play again.

Yeah but I'm perfect. Its a burden I know. Also I lol'd at this, always awkward working next to someone in a lab.

[mefdinkins]

Haha I was kidding around but I have to agree.

I am currently in law school which has its benefits and drawbacks for a gamer. Academic calendars give students a lot of flexibility. Since I have just started playing and was in position to do so - I have taken a few liberties with my play time, but I am keenly aware of my obligations and responsibilities.

As my semester continues and I begin preparation for finals, I will have to dramatically cut back on my play time. If I am unable to balance my playing time with my other obligations, or find my pixel goals (I really want a damn lumi staff haha) are interfering with my real life goals (do well in school) -- my usual solution is to just uninstall.

I know I can re-install later and usually found after uninstalling that I'm not missing much.

[Darkwulf58]

Fate has seen me to the P99 Server. I simply have no choice in the matter, I must play as much as possible. Its what I was born to do. I'm ok with it....really.

[myxomatosii]

Originally Posted by Darkwulf58 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Fate has seen me to the P99 Server. I simply have no choice in the matter, I must play as much as possible. Its what I was born to do. I'm ok with it....really.

A hesitant squire accepts his task.

[Advisor]

I just throw my laptop out the window when I die, then I have to buy a new PC to play again.

[Phased]

Haha yeah I kept the boxes for the original game and the first 3 expansions for quite some time. I was just being facetious in regards to its size.

[Barrier]

I used to go home at lunch so that I could move my warrior on the boats to Kunark/Firiona Vie.

[Barrier]

By the way, that picture from Kunark is awesome.

[stormlord]

Originally Posted by myxomatosii [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Today I compressed my Sony folder into a ZIP file and had it delete the original file. In order to play now I have to go through a 20 minute unzip process, that way I won't impulse log-on and can get some work done.

This could be because I only starting playing again two weeks ago and binged over spring break but I'm having trouble breaking off. I think staying in labs, away from my house, along with compressing the files has broken the cycle of 4am nights up at 8am.

Anyone else have issues like these and how did you solve them? Eg: Short term addiction on return.

It was easier when I came across the game at 14 years old, logon for 36 hours, play, passout for 9 hours and let brother play, wake up, play with dogs, brother passes out, take over. Continue. All on AOL, no one could call the house for days.

1) Learn about health. I've never had trouble getting 6-7+ hours of sleep. I always knew I needed my sleep. Work is sloppy without sleep and I feel miserable too. Maybe you're just the type of person that can go without sleep because: a) ignorance is bliss b) your body is not as sensitive to lack of sleep.
2) Play EQ before going to work, not before going to bed. I did this for a while because I hated waking up only moments before having to work. (wake up late = unhappy boss) It allowed me to sleep in on occasion too. And more than that, I was encouraged to go to sleep asap when I got home from work. And when I was playing EQ I could not overdo it without losing my job. The worst I could do is wake up early, but that was rare.

This is real-life advice from my days when I played EQ full-time in 2001-02.

Bottom line, I think playing EQ before going to work is my best advice. For me it was easier to go from EQ to work than from sleeping to work. But people's bodies and habits can be different.

Lastly.. I played anywhere from 4 to 5.5 hours on a workday in my peak. On weekends I would usually go out to buy sh** and get groceries, so I don't think I played anymore on weekends than on weekdays.

For people who have families, you obviously have less choices than I did.

But I can honestly say that playing more than 5 hours in a day has NEVER felt good to me. There's a certain activity level that the body needs so that you feel good. Too much sitting just makes a person sluggish.

[NenshouStar]

"All on AOL, no one could call the house for days."

LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOLOLOLLOLOLLLLLLLLLLLL hahahahhahaha,
oh my, hahahahahahhahah, that's my laugh for the night,
also, yes. the whole GF aggro thing is true, just gotta find a clingy one.