From Farmville to IRL: How to Give Up Your Favorite Facebook Games Without Actually Giving Them Up (part 2 of 4)

Hello! Welcome to part 2 of "From Farmville to IRL." Today's topic is Petville. 

Confession time: I've never actually played this game. However, I gather that you feed, play games with, and clean up after a cartoon pet. It's a bit like real pet ownership, except without any of the long walks, wrestling matches or belly rubs.

 Why is this game so popular, anyway?

Replacement Activities:

-Play with your pet.

This one should seem obvious, but I'm throwing it in anyway. Has real-life Muffy grown increasingly jealous of her virtual counterpart? Give your cat a massage, take your dog for a jog around the block, or teach your parrot how to swear in Klingon.

-Volunteer at an animal shelter.

Although this option eats up nearly as much time as Petville does, the warm, fuzzy feeling obtained from bottle-feeding an orphaned puppy, playing fetch with frisbee with a grateful golden retriever, or saving an abandoned kitten's life goes way beyond the high of reaching Level 21. (Plus, it looks great on your college applications!)

-Clean your room.

Hey, if you're willing to clean your pet's room...

Do you plan on trying any of these strategies? Do you think they'll work? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments!

Up next: Sorority Life.

From Farmville to IRL: How to Give Up Your Favorite Facebook Games Without Actually Giving Them Up (part 1 of 4)

As a former Sorority Life "addict," (Hello, my name is Kayla, and I've been sober for more than three months), I know how addicting these games can be. However, I've also played a game with better graphics, more minigames, and cooler rewards than any Facebook game will ever have (at least in our lifetimes).

It's called real life.

Now, I'm not just saying this. I know how it feels to dance that happy mental meringue when your perfect, pouty avatar flaunts a brand new strapless gown, or sit back with a satisfied sigh after Petville has flashed the "All Clean."

Nevertheless, I can't help finding these games somewhat… pointless. Captivating, yeah, but still sort of pointless. So, do you want to give up your drug of choice, but don't know where to start? Help, as always, is (relatively and figuratively)close at hand!

I've compiled a short list of popular Facebook games and the activities that can replace them. (It's like nicotine gum for someone attempting to quit smoking.) My ideas might sound crazy (Kayla, what could possibly be more fun than Farmville?) but try them anyway. You might surprise yourself!

First up: Farmville. Stay tuned...