Think you’ll ace every boss first go? That’s like expecting to nail a backflip on your first try. Games thrive on challenge—those wipeouts are what make the victories epic.Fix: Lean into the fails. They’re not setbacks; they’re your training montage for the big win.

3. The First-Try Fallacy: Embracing the Learning Curve

Caught up in mechanics? You’re missing the masterpiece! Games are bursting with art, sound, and vibes—slow down and soak it in.Fix: Take a breather to admire the visuals, tunes, or random  aesthetic biomes (See The Witcher series, Black Myth: Wukong or Ghost of Tsushima). It’s a whole mood lift.

5. Beyond the Pixels: Appreciating Gaming’s Artistry

Letting Reddit or YouTubers dictate your game picks? Nah, you’re the boss here. A trashed title might just be your jam—give it a shot.Fix: Play first, vibe check later. Skip the discourse and trust your own controller-wielding gut.

7. The Echo Chamber: Trusting Your Own Gaming Instincts

Love crushing it online? Sweet—until the losses pile up and you’re one step from a “spazz out.” Chill your jets before it’s all stress and no fun.Fix: Trade some sweat-fests for a cozy single-player tale. It’s like swapping a sprint for a stroll—balance is key.

6. The Competitive Trap: Finding Balance in Multiplayer

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">So let me know in the comments: what gaming habits do you struggle with? (me personally: 2, 4, 7 ,8, & 10!)</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Do you have any other strategies or suggestions that might be able to help out other players?</li></ul>

Your Take on it

Spinning too many games at once? You’re not alone—it’s like trying to binge three Netflix shows in one night. You end up frazzled and unfulfilled. Focus on one title (or at least sort them by vibe) and watch your gaming groove come back.Fix: Stick to one game, or divvy them up—like one multiplayer banger, one travel quickie, and one epic solo quest.

1. The Game Juggler: Why Less is More in Gaming

Not every game deserves to be finished, and that assessment has to come from you personally.

Ever slogged through a game that’s lost its magic? It’s not a crime to ditch it when it feels like a grind. Your time’s too precious to waste on digital chores.Fix: Drop it when the spark’s gone. You are the only one who can decide when it’s time to move on—so keep an open mind and remember that your time spent with the game already is 100% a sunk cost!

2. The Endless Quest: Knowing When to Say Goodbye

Same old mage build or sniper rifle? 🥱 Mixing up your play style is like finding a secret sauce—it spices up even the oldest games.Fix: Swap your spellbook for a sword or go rogue with a new tactic. Fresh vibes, guaranteed.

4. Stuck in a Rut: The Joy of Trying New Things

Games are dopamine candy, but binging ‘til you crash? That’s a recipe for blah. Set some rules and keep the good vibes flowing.Fix: Make gaming your reward—crush your to-do list, then hit play. It’s sweeter that way.

10. The Dopamine Dilemma: Balancing Gaming with Life

Only chasing shiny new releases? You’re missing out on classics that slap harder than the latest hype. Old doesn’t mean stale—ask Half Life series! Fix It: Hunt down some retro or indie goodies. <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/patientgamers/about/">r/patientgamer’s</a> got your back with killer recs.

9. The Hype Train: Exploring Gaming’s Hidden Gems

Googling every puzzle solution? You’re robbing yourself of that “aha!” moment. Figuring it out solo is the real dopamine hit.Fix: Puzzle it out yourself first. Save the wiki for when you’re truly stumped—keep the thrill alive.

8. The Wiki Warrior: Rediscovering the Thrill of Discovery

Gaming’s your happy place, right? But even the best escapes can get bogged down by sneaky habits that turn fun into frustration.

Have you ever considered what habits you've formed when it comes to video games? In this breakdown, I discuss 10 bad gaming habits that have crept into my life over the years (and ultimately reduced my enjoyment of games). 

► Books Mentioned:
- Atomic Habits - James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
- Dopamine Nation - Anna Lembke: https://www.annalembke.com/dopamine-nation

MARK MAXWELL

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