Do you ever feel like you’re wasting your life playing video games?

 

I’ve been feeling like this lately.

I’m almost 30 years old. I’ve been playing video games (usually RPG’s) for as long as I can remember. I love them.

I took a hiatus in my early to mid twenties due to mental health and other issues. Once I got my shit together about three and a half years ago, someone recommended that I play Nier. I was completely captivated by it, and fell in love with video games all over again.

Since then, for about the past three years, I have just been playing non-stop. As soon as I finish one game, I’m already setting up the next one, like an obsession. I always take care of my responsibilities in life, but almost all of my free personal time goes to video games. I love them to death, but I’ve been feeling angsty lately.

What if I spent my time developing a skill? Furthering my career talents? Learning an instrument, or a new language?? I love my hobby, but sometimes I feel like all I’m ever doing is sitting around on a console.

I don’t really have a point to this post. Just wanted to share my thoughts.

Edit: Thank you so much for all of the replies. Even though I haven’t been responding much, I’ve been reading every single one. I appreciate it, and I definitely have plenty of stuff to think about now. You guys rock.

Actually, there's a video game quote that sums up my opinion on the matter. I saw it many years ago and I can't remember now where (maybe someone else will know), but it essentially goes like:

Who is the wiser man - the one who spends all day sitting on an old, shabby chair or the one who spends all day working to pay for a new, fine chair that he never has the chance to sit on?

Personally, I don't think it can ever be a waste to spend time doing something you enjoy, and in fact, if anything might be a waste, it's denying yourself the chance to do something you enjoy because you feel like you're supposed to be doing something else instead.

Now granted - life does carry responsibilities, and it's likely not the case that one actually enjoys meeting those responsibilities - there might often be things that one would enjoy doing more. But so long as those responsibilities are met (as you say they are), then I don't see a problem with spending the rest of your time however you might choose.