Should addictions be purged?

[Staples]

Hello!

I've been thinking alot about my addictions recently. My big addictions are gaming and youtube.

I know that I must limit my consumption of these, but I fail to create the outcome I desire from monitoring them.

You see, either I don't limit them enough, or I purge them and dive head first into an ego backlash. 

I won't touch them for a week, and then for the next week I do nothing but be a slob. 

On the other hand, if I make small incremental changes, they don't stick either. I play games for 20 minutes less than I normally do, then I think to myself "Whats the worse thing that could happen if I keep playing for another 20 minutes?" So I keep going, and 20 minutes turns into an hour, then an hour turns into the rest of the day.

Mind you, I don't want to completely stop these activites. I love exploring new worlds and learning through youtube, I just indulge in it.

Is it possible comsume pleasures without overindulging? 

[CroMagna]

Food is a pleasure...

[Charlotte]

9 hours ago, Staples said:

Is it possible comsume pleasures without overindulging? 

Yes. 

How consciously do you approach your pleasures? 

example, I have a sweet tooth and from time to time (usually the monthlies) I CRAVE sweet things. So I keep a little bit of dark chocolate in the cupboard. I could go right ahead sometimes and eat the whole thing, only I don't because I'm aware the cravings are driven by other factors, I'm aware of what my mind wants, so I take 1 small square piece and leave it at that. 

If cravings then continue, I usually sit with the cravings and observe them, without judgement of any sort and without acting on them. 

Edited April 19, 2018 by Charlotte

[aurum]

@Staples

I'd try thinking about the problem differently.

Instead of just saying "how can I willpower my way into not being addicted", take a more holistic approach.

Do you have an idea of your life purpose? What does your diet look like? Do you have productive habits like meditation or going to the gym?

Part of the reason people can't beat their addictions is because they're trying to resist the urge when it comes up via willpower. They treat it like an isolated incident. But that's a bit like trying to win a game you've never trained for.

You beat your addictions through everything you do outside your addictions. Spend more time looking at what your whole life looks like.

[Staples]

@aurum Life purpose is nailed down. Diet is okay, it is not the focus right now though. But maybe it should be. The productive habits you mentioned aren't done as much as they should be, but they're still active. 

Love what you said about treating it like an isolated incident, that rings VERY true.