Can't find time to game

[wakenbake]

I recently moved my girlfriend into my house and what with all the dinner she keeps making me and the 'together-time' we keep having and the fact my workload at work recently got cranked-up, forcing me to do stuff at home, I'm finding it really difficult to get in some good gaming time.
Its pretty serious. Seriously. I'm still on Skyrim (kind of getting close to winding it up, but you know, an hour here and there makes NO inroads), I've got Arkham City installed but UNPLAYED (apart from the intro) and Mass Effect 3 WAITING TO BE INSTALLED!!! I mean, WTF????

Help me Escapist-Kenobi, you're my only hope.

 

[Averant]

...I'm sorry? Really, if you're too busy to game, you're too busy to game. There's not much more to it than that. Don't cut into your work, and DON'T cut into your time with your GF.

Life's not about play, bud.

[sub][sub]of course, I'm one to talk. God knows I try and do nothing BUT play.[/sub][/sub]

 

[Smooth Operator]

It is actually really simple, you can always make time for the things you want to...
So tell us why don't you want to make time for gaming? [sub](you monster)[/sub]

 

[NorthernStar]

I feel your pain.

I couldn't wait to start working fulltime, because more money meant more games.
However, working fulltime (and travelling back and forth and owning your own house) also means practically no free time so no time to game.

I think it's best, especially as you're living with someone, to just discuss with your partner and create some time for gaming. You know, just 2 hours on a week night or something.
Seriously though, once you settle into that rhythm it'll be fine and you'll find some time. (at least, that's what I keep telling myself)

 

[Cptntequila]

I'm with you on this one Wakenbake. I am stuck on Skyrim as well and have yet to play my unwrapped copy of ME3. I have been struggling with living with a non gamer for about a year and a half now.

What it boiled down to at first was me either staying up ridiculously late to play (after she fell asleep) or getting up early on weekends (boo). Although you do not want it to cut into your relationship she has to learn to respect the fact that gaming is something you are passionate about and make it clear to her its not going to replace her. I point out that its how I destress and forget about my day for a while. Now I don't play nightly (like I used to) but manage at least 1 or 2 good sessions of 2-4 hours during the week and on either Saturday or Sunday I can manage at least that much as well. What I do to make sure I can game unmolested is do some chores around the house before I start. If I wash the dishes, clean up a bit and take out the compost/trash then she has no reason to complain if I want to sit on my ass on Saturday or Sunday and build a new world on Civ 5. "Oh man you're such a push over" you may say or "damn man she owns your testicles!". But damnit there is nothing better than sitting down to play without any stress whether that be a moaning wife or a pile of dishes. I'm sure there are plenty of other gamers stuck in relationships like mine with a non gamer who can identify with this. And there are plenty of gamers who are with another gamer (damn you, you lucky bastards!) or are single and can play as much as they please. Of those I am jealous but for the rest of us we have to find a compromise.

Best of luck and remember to put her first.