How much gaming is normal?
Hi all,
I am writing from my phone so please forgive any formatting issues. I (31F) have been married to my husband (41M) for 6 years and together 10 years total. I love him so much and we get along so well, we rarely even have spats and our communication is usually very good. One thing I have been having issues with over the past few years is how much time my husband spends playing videogames. I knew when we started dating that gaming was his #1 hobby and I really didn't think much of it, it's just like any other hobby. The thing is, I always felt like he had other hobbies, also, but that's not the case anymore. Over the years, he has played more and more. He doesn't do any household chores, doesn't want to go out and meet new friends, doesn't go outside unless he has to (aka I ask him to come with me somewhere). It recently occurred to me to track how much he plays and over the past four days he has played 6-8 hours every day. He logs off work and immediately plays one of a few online games he rotates through. Don't get me wrong, I have my own hobbies and enjoy my own time but I honestly feel like I live alone or am single sometimes. I cook and eat alone, clean alone, head to bed by myself most nights. I don't get it. He says he loves me and I do believe him, he says he's super happy and content but I worry for our future as a couple because I'm already starting to build interests and friendships without him because otherwise I'm stuck sitting at home alone. Is this amount of gaming normal for gamers? Am I being too needy? I feel badly because we do have a standing date every Friday night where we spend hours together and it's amazing, but during the week it's like we live separately (except I make us both dinner and do both our laundry lol). I don't want to pretend like I'm perfect, but this isn't what I thought marriage would be like at all. We spent more time together when we were dating tbh I guess I'm just looking for some advice, is this a normal amount of gaming and do others spend this much time separate from their spouse on average?
Posted Jun 3, 2025, 4:09 AM UTC