Eat. Sleep. Fortnite. Repeat. One true thing about me is that I have a crippling addiction to the video game Fortnite. In my free time, I can’t help but stay away from my Xbox. It’s as if it is calling my name. When I walk into my room, it speaks to me. At first, it was just a game; it was an escape, but now, it has taken control of my life.
Back in 2018, all my friends would get on Fortnite after a long day of school, everybody felt joy and excitement of the new seasons and getting our first wins. Eventually, we would all quit Fortnite. Well, not all of us. I couldn’t stop, all the money I spent on my mom’s credit card for what? I had to keep playing. Eventually, I couldn’t function without Fortnite. My grades slipped, my life crumbled, my room got messier and messier, and even today, I can’t manage without it.
After school, I often have work, and you would think I wouldn’t have time for Fortnite. However, it always finds a way to make it into my day. Day and night, I dream about it. The game has found new ways to stay in my life constantly. Constant updates to the game keep me entertained. One game turns into two, two turns into three, and it continually grows. The cycle constantly goes like this: winning games, leveling up the battle pass, and trying to improve. Fortnite is designed to keep people playing. The interesting, different games constantly keep me playing, and it can be draining. Constant gaming can hurt my eyes, keep me from doing homework, and keep me from being focused. Despite all of this, Fortnite isn’t purely negative. It keeps me close to my friends and gives me motivation to get me through the day. Maybe the problem isn’t Fortnite, it’s the addiction to it. Buying new skins and checking the item shop makes me spend more and more money. Just recently, I purchased SpongeBob for $20. I could’ve gotten my girlfriend a meal. I work a job to spend it all on Fortnite, but now I accept my issue.
At the end of the day, addiction is a serious issue that needs to be addressed with proper help. Many struggle with addictions other than Fortnite and feel the same way. They feel helpless or lost, but it can be overcome. I shall overcome, and Fortnite can be healthily balanced in my life for the great purpose of personal health.
