World of Warcraft addiction and my first gamefree day

Here I found a nice entry about WoW addiction:

World of Warcraft is like being back in gradeschool. Everything you do gets you a gold star! Or equivalent. (...)Frequently you get new clothes, weapons, or armor, which change your character's appearance, just for killing monsters or completing easy tasks. For those who crave positive reinforcement and feedback, this could be like crack.

Another interesting article about gaming addiction:
A reason why video games are hard to give up

The research found that games can provide opportunities for achievement, freedom, and even a connection to other players. Those benefits trumped a shallow sense of fun, which doesn't keep players as interested.

"It's our contention that the psychological 'pull' of games is largely due to their capacity to engender feelings of autonomy, competence, and relatedness," says Ryan. The researchers believe that some video games not only motivate further play but "also can be experienced as enhancing psychological wellness, at least short-term," he says.

My first gamefree day

Today, I didn't have much to do. So, my thoughts went often to the direction of playing games. But I convinced myself not to do so. Instead doing nothing, I started to adjust my guitar. I want to start slowly, because if I wouldn't do so, I would kickstart and some days later I would get unmotivated. In this matter, I know myself very well.
I also spended more time with my family. In former times I saw my family only at meals. The remaining time I was in my room.
Right now, I'm feeling a deep peace in me. My mind is not full with game content as before. My mind is free of this trash. I'm able to concentrate better than before, because I don't loose my "brain energy" in fast shooting games which require extreme high concentration and reaction.
Summed up, although it's my first day, I can feel the benefits of my decision.

30 day trial for a new habit

I can prefer you to start a 30 day trial. In these 30 days you should get used to do other counterbalanced things like doing teamsports or learning a new language.
If you've finished these 30 days than you've won!

In my next blog post I want to set new goals in matter of my freetime.