Stress Center Peer Support

I just joined Facebook and I've been playing this game called Packrat. I've been doing it all hours (and I usually go to bed early) and even had dreams about this dumb game last night.

Maybe I need to force myself not to play today. . . but it's fun! LOL

I drive myself nutty sometimes.

The game is on Facebook and you collect sets of picture cards by trading and stealing with friends and the computer. I'm like. . .I just need one more set then I'll go to bed. Silly.

I think in a way I'm avoiding thinking about something. My hubby just found out that his company may be selling out. He just got this killer job 3 months ago after searching and trying jobs for almost a year.

everything in moderation....its ok to have a little fun and break away from the "routine" of life....but if its becoming an obsession then yes maybe its time to stop playing for a while. If your daily routine is completely slipping because all you do is play then yes its time to stop...but if your getting your things done through a day and still finding time to unwind and relax and enjoy the game then I say have at it.

Its true that what we live we dream about. I think that happens to everyone. If I watch a tv show more than likely if not that very night soon after I will dream about that.
Dodger

Yeah I'm going to have to give myself some limits. I feel silly wasting all that time but something about it just sucked me in.

Throw it away! Our lives are hard enough, don't do this to yourself!

. . . but it's fun! LOL

You're probably right though.

Thing is I always realize when I'm doing things (usually spending too much time on the computer either researching or posting on message boards) that I'm really just anxious about something and trying to distract myself.

If I stop the game I'd probably just find something to replace it. . . such as asking you guys if there's something wrong with me for playing the game.

Now THERE is the key. .. if I can stop doing that, and just deal with what I'm worried about, we'll all be better off and then I can still have some fun.

However, I did have to stop doing scrapbooking for the same reason. I couldn't seem to just set reasonable limits on it.

Any suggestions there?

Sounds like one of those secondary gain things. This is a concept I finally understood with Mary's help and Carolyn's advice: What is the PAY OFF from doing this? And when you figure that out, what is the PAYMENT (what is it costing you?).
Do you have too much free time?
If I were going to jump into something with most of my time and attention, I'd make sure it was the most positive thing that was within my skill and interest area. Have you ever considered volunteering at a local school or hospital? People in hospitals and hospice units often enjoy having someone just sit with them, or read to them. I used to be so thrilled when I'd see volunteers sitting and reading to some of my patients. It might take up enough of your time to make you too tired to worry about computer games

That's a good point. It's been a long time since I've done anything with computer games but this one hooked me in. I think it's the fun and connection with my friends mainly. Plus I'm a collector.

I should say that this late night all consuming thing has only been two days. . .and it will stop tonight cuz I have to get ready for friends.

And, I put in an application to do volunteer at a nursing home in our area a couple weeks ago. Thanks for the reminder because I need to see why they haven't called me back yet.