My secret addiction!

Diet and Health, Humor, Sadje's View

I’m re-sharing a post from 2019, in response to Weekly Prompt- Bored- Games from Sue W and GC

Games, puzzles, and word games, I am addicted to them all. I have different passions at different times. Nowadays, it’s Jigsaw puzzles( the ones you play on your phone or tablet). Before I started to write my blog, this was a major time killer for me. I would be sitting at home, at the airport, on the bus, or at a get-together where I didn’t know anyone ( I know it is very rude!), I would take out my phone and start working on my puzzle. But it was one sure-shot way of avoiding boredom.

How my addiction to computer/ phone games started?

It was about 30-35 years ago, that while talking to my brother, who is a doctor, the topic of occupation ( mine) came under discussion. I haven’t had a proper job since I completed my studies. Being a homemaker and full-time mom didn’t leave much time for a whole-time job! So he told me that it was essential to keep my mind active to prevent early dementia ( my grandfather suffered from it). He suggested word games and other ” mind games” ( the literal ones). I started playing Solitaire and FreeCell on my PC, ( we had a PC for the whole family in those days).

From there I progressed gradually to phone/ laptop/ tablet. I played games to while away my time, amuse myself, and exercise my mind. To say that enjoyed this pastime would be an understatement. I loved it!

But my family was not happy about it. They termed my harmless hobby as an addiction. There were a lot of representations made to me about sitting with my phone or laptop, staring at the screen, and being blind and deaf to everything going around me was not good for me!

So to respect the wishes of my family, I tried to cut down on my games addiction. I would give myself a timetable for playing my favorite games, an hour in the morning and/ or an hour in the afternoon, was the time I allowed myself. The resultant withdrawal was not difficult to manage. And then I came to the stage where my kids were all on their own, working and/or married! I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands. I was free to do whatever I wanted with my time. Also, I discovered a new obsession, Jigsaw puzzles.

It was interesting and challenging. I gradually increased the level of difficulty I could handle ( the maximum is 400 pieces). I got pretty good at it too.

But one day, (4 years ago) my very good friend Dr. Tanya@ Salted Caramel told me that she had started writing a blog. She encouraged me to do the same. Her encouragement and support from my family, finally made me bold enough to take this step. Now, most of my time is spent either reading the blogs of people I follow or writing my posts.

My family is happy that I have found a constructive way to spend my time. I am happy to have found something positive to do and love the feedback and encouragement that I find here in my blogging world, so everyone’s happy.

But one thing I haven’t told anyone is that I still do my daily Jigsaw Puzzle! I also play my card games daily challenges while no one is watching!

Photo Credits: Google and Pixabay

Let me know through your comments and feedback, how you like my post!

#Mysecretaddiction

#Preventingdementia

#WeeklyPrompts

#Keepitalive

Published by Sadje

I am writing to express my opinion, share my experiences and to maybe provide some insight. My blog is addressing women at 50 ( but men are welcome to read my posts) ,their issues and the questions that come up at this stage in life. I don’t aim to teach, but to learn together.

Published

99 thoughts on “My secret addiction!”

  3. I enjoyed reading the evolution of you being engrossed in computer games to writing and reading blogs. Like you i became a full time mom when my kids were growing up..and from then i had to find a way to exercise my brain and keep it busy…so there i found blogging too…

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    1. Me too. Anything that stimulates the brain is good. But blog also involves social interaction. It took me almost 2 years to learn the names of my most constant followers. But now I know them as friends.

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  7. Computer games are fun. I used to do a lot, but now only 2 plus a scrabble one. When things get slow, I’ll play for a little while. Before blogging I’d do all the pencil puzzle games plus actual jigsaws, and scrap booking. 🙂

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  23. Trust me Sadje, there’s a lot worse ways to be spending time on your phone/tablet/laptop etc. At least with puzzles; wordgames and jigsaws, you’re keeping your mind sharp. I do codewords myself. 😁👍 And I for one enjoy reading and following your blog posts.

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  24. I love jigsaw puzzles, but my cats like to steal my pieces! I’m glad you found a balance between the games you enjoy and other means of connecting….I’m glad one of them is your blog! 💞

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  26. Loved this, My Dear! Can’t fault you for wanting to fill up waiting, wasted time with an activity you enjoy. Have you ever played Boggle? I love it. Fun to play with other word addicts. Ha

    Also, another something you might want to consider that is a bit more “productive” that I like to do is to write Elfchens. This way I use wasted wait time and end up with a poem or more often than not several. You should try them. I think you would love them. Simple, easy, fun and fast to do. Only 11 words, no counting syllables.

    Check this out on Elfchens!!! Try one, You’ll like it! 😊💕🌹

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  29. Hi again, Sadje. I’m a puzzle maniac. I have to do at least one per day to feel normal. I have a few of the other mindless ones that I do sometimes when I’m holding on the phone, or sadly, even talking to someone for a long time on the phone. Some of my friends do constructive things while they are on the phone like housework but I’m not quite that ambitious most of the time. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this. I’m sort of camping out on your blog a bit getting ready to write my questions for our interview. 🙂

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