Should I quit gaming forever?

[Ampresus]

Hello everyone. When I joined this forum I didn't know what to expect. Now I meditate for 30 mins a day and read books. I am trying to quit porn and get more insights. One of, I think biggest obstacles in my path, is gaming. I used to game a lot a few years ago. The last few months I never really got the time to game during the week, but in the weekends I would always call with this girl I met online. We are both young (around 15 years old), the only difference is that I guess I am more aware than her? In the sense that I know that there is self-actualization, enlightenment and all this stuff and she doesn't.

Now I wonder: Should I quit the game I always play with her, therefore stopping the connection I have with her. Look I wouldn't mind doing it, I just don't know if it is necessary. I personally think that I need to find a balance between personal development and, well, gaming with a girl online. 2019 just started and she told me: ''When I was celebrating with firework outside, I thought about you. How you were staying inside, because you don't celebrate New Year, and it made me feel really sad about you.'' So she does have feelings. In case you couldn't make that up.

I have told both this forum and her many times that I don't have people I'd consider ''friends'' outside of her. This used to be because I was just not social and couldn't make much friends in school. On the internet it is very easy to make friends, real life is just different. Now my reason is personal development. Socializing is all fun and stuff, but I can't always do that when I have to meditate or read my books. Many people who go on this path have had this problem and I am just another 'victim' (I know I am not really a victim, I think my mind is tricking me in some way). Don't worry about me, I bought Teal Swan's most recent book about loneliness and I think it will help me.

I am just wondering if you guys would advice me to quit gaming, therefore stopping the connection I have with that girl. Take care.

[Arthur]

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Should I quit gaming forever?

Nah, don't guilt yourself for gaming. At 15 you are still very very young. The fact that you have a meditation habit at this age is already huge. Go ahead, have fun and make social connections.

It's is a completely different story when you are getting older though. Gaming becomes quite an obstacle for building life purpose and living a full life. The time that goes into gaming could have gone on acquiring real-life skills. Those skills can be used to produce value when you are older. If you game through your teens, you end up in your 20's with nothing. You settle for whatever job you can find and live a mediocre existence. Sorry if that sounds too harsh, but I'm trying to swing the pendulum away from this crazy addictive gaming culture that we have going on.

[EternalForest]

Just the opposite, doing more spiritual work and education will enhance the rest of your life, including hobbies (including gaming), relationships and life purpose. Once you have a strong purpose you'll be so into it you'll barely have time for games, but in the time that you do spend gaming I think you'll appreciate it a lot more. Good luck.

[Eric Tarpall]

You could regulate it. Maybe play for 3 hours per day. That's my favorite amount.

[Shadowraix]

Do whatever you want. 

Feel free to quit if you feel that's the best path for what you want. 

[Chase Ellfeldt]

It is all about opportunity cost and the goals you have for yourself. 

You should quit if video games act as an obstacle, but if they do not then you should keep them. 

It sounds like you would be quitting video games for a girl and not because they are a distraction. If that is the case I'd recommend not quitting. 

Personally, I have very ambitious goals so I have to limit my gaming time. I use the pleasure of video games to increase productivity.

But, based on what you have said here I think you can keep playing them.