How I did it:
I'm the type of person who gets really addicted in these types of games. I
played for 2 weeks in beta, was really addicted and pre-ordered the game but
cancelled it. I didn't want to waste my life playing it, and I knew I would if
I had the chance. I've been previously addicted to Ultima Online, skipping
school for full weeks because of it. I knew if I bought WoW I'd play it my
entire wake hours, just like I had played UO and RO before. 4 years after the beta I got a pc from my friend. It had WoW installed. One
boring afternoon, I felt like I need some entertainment and thought that why
not play WoW for a few hours using a free 10-day trial. I played the
entire 10 days. First days I thought that “tomorrow I’m not playing anymore”,
then I just stopped thinking about it. I don't think I did anything more during
those days other than sleep and play wow. After that I bought the game, which
gave me 30 more days to play. I hadn't even told any of my friends I was
playing, because I was so ashamed about it. They were wondering what the heck I
was doing, because I seemed so distant and quiet all the time. Then, after about a month of playing, I told a few of my friends, and they
got really excited about it. They immediately started planning how we’re going
to level up my character and where to get my gear so I can start raiding with
them. Somehow that made me realize what I was actually doing. Then I just
didn't log in the following day. I wanted it to really be my own choice to
stop playing. I didn't want to stop just because I'd have to by a gaming card
to continue. I didn't play for those last 10 days. And I will never play again. I know some wow-players reading this might be thinking "Hey, you
didn't have five lvl80 characters and an officer position in #2 ranking guild
like I have!". That's true, but consider that I too had a huge social
pressure to continue playing after I told my friends I did. Most of my friends
have played for these 4 years, and they really wanted me to continue with them.
In the end, it doesn't matter how much work you've put into the game. There’s
nothing to lose if you stop playing, only if you continue.
Lessons & tips: Just stop playing it. Let it be your own choice though. Brag about it. Feel good about NOT playing the game. Also, if you manage to quit, don't try it again "just for fun". It's also a good idea to have something to do with all the free time you suddenly have.
jane76552000 continues to be decluttered! :)
A friend of mine recently had problems with her niece who is addicted to this game! The niece is 12 and even got to stealing and lying in order to sustain a subscription! Unfortunately the parents were also at fault, quite neglectful actually…
physalys cheered this 2 years ago
