Vacation in the Matrix

Thirty-two days. Thirty-two days seventeen hours and forty-three minutes. That's how much time my main character had logged in World of Warcraft. 785 hours I could have used to learn piano, to play sports, to get six-pack abs if commercials are to be believed. I did not neglect school, I didn't neglect friends, I didn't even neglect my family. What I neglected was the opportunity to live. So many people, adults and kids, are in the same position I found myself in. They vacate reality in favor of a fantasy devoid of meaning. Happiness is not easy, but escapism will not fill the same hole that social interaction fills. People need people. Relaxing with video games now and then is fine, but if not balanced with something meaningful video games can lead to a sad life empty and unfulfilled.