Addictions, Part 2

(I may be writing spasmodically for the next few weeks, but I will return on a regular basis toward the end of November.)

I recently asked at the dinner table, “When does a harmless activity become an addiction?” The consensus was when it interfered with the more important events in life. According to Encarta, one of the definitions of the word is “great interest in a particular thing to which a lot of time is devoted.” Not as strong as the other definition: “a state of physiological or psychological dependence on a potentially harmful drug.” My latest addiction falls somewhere in between the two.

Interestingly enough, the first definition, which I think is a little weak, gives an example in Encarta of internet addiction. I’m not saying that I’m addicted to the internet even though I enjoy being online; no, my obsession or compulsion is fixed on what I get from the internet: computer games. I LOVE to play all kinds of games like Snood, Atlantis Quest, Amazonia, Magic Match, you name it. I can and do sit for hours playing all types of games -- action, word games, card games, trivia, etc. And I plead guilty to staying and playing these things when I should be cleaning house, cooking, or any other unpleasant but necessary endeavor.

But, unfortunately, this is not my only addiction. There’s also reading. I can get into a good novel and be so fixed on it that I’m just “not much account” as my mother used to say, until I finish it. Almost certainly, the beds don’t get made right away while I’m caught up with characters and plot, etc.

And shopping. I can get such a high from buying a new outfit! And now that I’ve discovered shopping online, that’s a whole new ball game. I can spend hours going over catalogues and then ordering or just going to the website and browsing. This is one that is fading, however, because now that I’ve retired, I can’t afford to buy much.

I’m happy to say that I’m NOT addicted to TV. In fact, I rarely ever watch it or read a newspaper. Most of my news comes from the internet.

So all this is to say (or write) that I’m still not sure that any of these leisure activities are addictions per se. It could more readily be argued that I just don’t like to do housework. When I taught school, my job was my first priority; I didn’t spend hours playing games on the computer when I had classes to prepare or papers to grade. It’s only since I have free time that I might be found pursuing pastimes I enjoy.

And isn’t that what retirement is all about? Haven’t I earned the right after all those years of working and housewifery and mothering to relax and enjoy life? Answer: If it doesn’t interfere with the more important things of life.