Though once a bunch of new games hit I will get back into a gaming groove.
I took somewhat of a gaming break before for a few weeks, even a break from posting on the internet as well. Every so often you need a break from yourself if you know what I mean, to have me time.
Now that I beat a lot mroe games than I once did and see the same old ideas get repeated ad nauseum I do question "how is this improving me?".
I have a lot of free time, so I do get to read more than most people, I also listen to podcasts, documentaries and lectures for about 11 hours a day (the only time I don't listen is when I am reading or on this website), so I take in a lot. Some of it improves my knowledge, but as with games at a certain point, how many books can you read? Just to take one topic of reading, I've read 7 books on Theodore Roosevelt in the last couple of years, and when I got to the last one I had the same feeling as when I had played too many games. You start to see the same things come up, you question the outlook of the author, the accuracy of reporting or even the relevance of the subject matter.
I do think there are things that you learn from games that you are not aware that you are learning. Mostly pattern recognition, problem solving and patience. Those are worthwhile areas to develop.
gamingeek said:Every so often you need a break from yourself if you know what I mean, to have me time.
No, more like the summer of George.
I approve of this thread. It should be renamed to The Official VGPress Thread of Self-Improvement and Making Productive Use of One's Spare Time. No attempt at shortening that.
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Listen to Wu-Tang and watch Kung-Fu
I will make an attempt. The VG Press thread of being more like Iga
There you go short and to the point.
I just spent a few days at my hometown, away from work and stress and with my family. These days made me realize nearly every spare moment I have for me (i.e., time not spent with my family) is spent playing games. That was somehow worsened by my DQIX playthrough, which now clocks nearly 100 hours. This is fun while it lasts but somehow I don't see that as an activity that improves me as a person. I am taking a conscious effort to correct that, since there are a few things I'd like to get back into. I started reading again, and as of yesterday, I started practising guitar as well. I never was a good player to begin with, although I learned the basics a while ago from a friend in college, but I found a neat online site that has lots of useful stuff to do and learn. I intend to devote at least 30 minutes daily to guitar practice, and a good hour of reading each day. I'll still play games, of course, but mostly on weekends and in much less amounts of time.