Procrastination Strategies for the Modern Gamer

Chapter 2: Gaming Mindfulness

As a gamer, you're probably familiar with the feeling of being "in the zone" when playing your favorite game. But what happens when that zone is interrupted by the looming specter of laundry, bills, or a nagging sense of responsibility?

Enter Gaming Mindfulness: the art of acknowledging that your time spent playing games is, indeed, time spent playing games, and making peace with it.

Technique 1: "I'm Not Playing, I'm Researching."

When faced with a pressing task, simply tell yourself you're "researching" the task in question. This allows you to continue gaming while feeling virtuous and informed. For example: "I'm not playing 20 hours of Overwatch, I'm just researching the art of competitive team-based FPS strategy."

Subpage: "The Art of Deception": A Guide to Convincing Yourself You're Not Playing.

Learn how to convincingly justify your gaming habits to yourself and others. Techniques include:

• Claiming to be "testing" your gaming rig for a "friend"
• Stating you're "playing for charity" (even if the charity is just your couch)
• Telling yourself "research" is "work"

Continue to Technique 3: "Gaming as Meditation"

Or, if you're feeling adventurous, Check out the Bonus Chapter: "Gaming as a Form of Existential Crisis"