I’ve been feeling something that might be a kind of burnout, even though I haven’t been able to play in a long time — about five months now. I used to play every week, sometimes running three to five games at once. But now, because of work and… well, life, I just can’t.
The sad part is that I want to feel excited like before. I want to go through the new content, but I can’t seem to. Maybe it’s because I know I won’t even get to play, or maybe it’s just plain depression. I don’t mean to bum anyone out, but it kind of sucks to routinely type “dndbeyond” into my search bar, click a few links, and then close the window.
I devoured the lore for months and then I finally decided to try DMing. I ran my first game on Roll20 in 2017, with zero experience, and it was great. We almost finished Tomb of Annihilation, but then December came — reunions, holiday parties — and we lost track. As many know, keeping an online game going with strangers is a hurdle in itself.
I want to start something new, but knowing I might not even make it past three sessions just stops me from trying. I’ve run games in the PbP section too, only to cancel them later because life got in the way again.
Some friends I made through the game aren’t excited about the new books or the 2024 updates anymore. And honestly, a lot of content creators have bummed me out with all the WotC drama over the past few years. It got to the point where I can’t even watch their videos anymore.
I want to talk to people. I want to play. But the effort it takes — and the fear of letting others down again — keeps me from doing it. It’s a strange place to be in, and honestly, I almost didn’t even post this because a part of me keeps saying, who cares?
Anyway, this might not even be the right place to post this, but I wasn’t sure. I think I just needed to vent a little — and now that I have, I might feel a bit better.
I'm sorry to hear that but if you don't mind a bit of blunt advice it sounds more like you're burnt out or depressed with life as much as with the game. Is it just D&D you're strugging with and you still feel passionate about other things or is it general? If it's just D&D then it's actually a good thing, we can deal with that, but if it's deeper you might need more help than we can offer here.
Assuming it is just D&D: It's sad when you can't muster the enthusiasm for for something you previously loved but totally understandable, especially if it's been a long time since you had a game. It's hard to feel passionate about an abstract so it's no surprise that reading books of rules you won't use isn't sparking joy. If you're worried about DMing have you tried finding a game you could play in? I'd have burnt out as a DM quickly if I wasn't also playing, a change is as good as a rest after all. I also totally get what you mean about D&D YouTube, there's a lot of toxic content creators out there who just destroy your passion if you let them so try doing what I did and curate a list of just creators who are positive and passionate. People like Ginny Di, Mike Shay at Sly Flourish or Mystic Arts are all people who love D&D specifically and their love comes across. There's people like Bob World Builder who can take or leave D&D but is enthusiastic about other systems and what they offer. No matter how often YouTube tries to offer certain other channels I just don't watch them or block them entirely because I know it'll be 10 minutes of being told I'm wrong for the hobby I've chosen.
And eventually if nothing works there's always the option to just walk away. People and circumstances change and sometimes that means a hobby just isn't for you anymore. I recently gave up a martial art I'd been doing three times a week for almost a decade because it just wasn't sparking joy anymore. I was dreading going and wasn't happy when I was there. Now I've made a clean break I've got spare time and spare money to put towards something that does spark joy
You phase in and out of passion for a game. Because life happens, phasing in and out of D&D happens. Considering this has been around for 50 years, chances are it will be still around when you come back. I started in late 70s, the left when I was in the military. Went to college found a wife a and a dog, then got back into it for a few years, but the babies became toddlers, and all that is involved dropped out at the turn of the century. Just got back in when one of the kids got into D&D.
So leave for now, enjoy life and assume at some point D&D will pull you back in either during the 2030s or even the 2040s.
It's a shame. D&D is going to attract criticism simply because it's the market leader and so will be compared to other products - and that's fine. If I want to show what TOR is like, I have to compare it to D&D because most people will understand that benchmark. But people are trying to make money from these vids, and that's creating a negative and toxic atmosphere because people have more time for negativity than positivity.
I stay away from the videos unless I get recommendations. Speaking of which, Dungeon Dudes are pretty good. Just finished their Dungeons/Shadows/Fate of Drakkenheim Actual Plays, and they were awesome - positive as well, for the most part. It really helped me through a rough patch. Obviously not in a counselling way, but just being able to listen to them, laugh along with them, and enjoy the interactions. It helped me have a something nice to spend my time listening to while I painted. They do other videos on YT that has a look at aspects of the game (like Subclasses, monsters, etc) and has a good and constructive discussion of them. At least in my experience - I've not spent so much time with those parts on their content, so I can't guarantee all of it. But I generally enjoy their content.
Anyway, I don't have a lot to say other than what's already been said...just thought I'd chip a bit in.
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I’ve been feeling something that might be a kind of burnout, even though I haven’t been able to play in a long time — about five months now. I used to play every week, sometimes running three to five games at once. But now, because of work and… well, life, I just can’t.
The sad part is that I want to feel excited like before. I want to go through the new content, but I can’t seem to. Maybe it’s because I know I won’t even get to play, or maybe it’s just plain depression. I don’t mean to bum anyone out, but it kind of sucks to routinely type “dndbeyond” into my search bar, click a few links, and then close the window.
I devoured the lore for months and then I finally decided to try DMing. I ran my first game on Roll20 in 2017, with zero experience, and it was great. We almost finished Tomb of Annihilation, but then December came — reunions, holiday parties — and we lost track. As many know, keeping an online game going with strangers is a hurdle in itself.
I want to start something new, but knowing I might not even make it past three sessions just stops me from trying. I’ve run games in the PbP section too, only to cancel them later because life got in the way again.
Some friends I made through the game aren’t excited about the new books or the 2024 updates anymore. And honestly, a lot of content creators have bummed me out with all the WotC drama over the past few years. It got to the point where I can’t even watch their videos anymore.
I want to talk to people. I want to play. But the effort it takes — and the fear of letting others down again — keeps me from doing it. It’s a strange place to be in, and honestly, I almost didn’t even post this because a part of me keeps saying, who cares?
Anyway, this might not even be the right place to post this, but I wasn’t sure. I think I just needed to vent a little — and now that I have, I might feel a bit better.
I'm sorry to hear that but if you don't mind a bit of blunt advice it sounds more like you're burnt out or depressed with life as much as with the game. Is it just D&D you're strugging with and you still feel passionate about other things or is it general? If it's just D&D then it's actually a good thing, we can deal with that, but if it's deeper you might need more help than we can offer here.
Assuming it is just D&D: It's sad when you can't muster the enthusiasm for for something you previously loved but totally understandable, especially if it's been a long time since you had a game. It's hard to feel passionate about an abstract so it's no surprise that reading books of rules you won't use isn't sparking joy. If you're worried about DMing have you tried finding a game you could play in? I'd have burnt out as a DM quickly if I wasn't also playing, a change is as good as a rest after all. I also totally get what you mean about D&D YouTube, there's a lot of toxic content creators out there who just destroy your passion if you let them so try doing what I did and curate a list of just creators who are positive and passionate. People like Ginny Di, Mike Shay at Sly Flourish or Mystic Arts are all people who love D&D specifically and their love comes across. There's people like Bob World Builder who can take or leave D&D but is enthusiastic about other systems and what they offer. No matter how often YouTube tries to offer certain other channels I just don't watch them or block them entirely because I know it'll be 10 minutes of being told I'm wrong for the hobby I've chosen.
And eventually if nothing works there's always the option to just walk away. People and circumstances change and sometimes that means a hobby just isn't for you anymore. I recently gave up a martial art I'd been doing three times a week for almost a decade because it just wasn't sparking joy anymore. I was dreading going and wasn't happy when I was there. Now I've made a clean break I've got spare time and spare money to put towards something that does spark joy
You phase in and out of passion for a game. Because life happens, phasing in and out of D&D happens. Considering this has been around for 50 years, chances are it will be still around when you come back. I started in late 70s, the left when I was in the military. Went to college found a wife a and a dog, then got back into it for a few years, but the babies became toddlers, and all that is involved dropped out at the turn of the century. Just got back in when one of the kids got into D&D.
So leave for now, enjoy life and assume at some point D&D will pull you back in either during the 2030s or even the 2040s.
Yeah, want to second what CunningSmile said.
It's a shame. D&D is going to attract criticism simply because it's the market leader and so will be compared to other products - and that's fine. If I want to show what TOR is like, I have to compare it to D&D because most people will understand that benchmark. But people are trying to make money from these vids, and that's creating a negative and toxic atmosphere because people have more time for negativity than positivity.
I stay away from the videos unless I get recommendations. Speaking of which, Dungeon Dudes are pretty good. Just finished their Dungeons/Shadows/Fate of Drakkenheim Actual Plays, and they were awesome - positive as well, for the most part. It really helped me through a rough patch. Obviously not in a counselling way, but just being able to listen to them, laugh along with them, and enjoy the interactions. It helped me have a something nice to spend my time listening to while I painted. They do other videos on YT that has a look at aspects of the game (like Subclasses, monsters, etc) and has a good and constructive discussion of them. At least in my experience - I've not spent so much time with those parts on their content, so I can't guarantee all of it. But I generally enjoy their content.
Anyway, I don't have a lot to say other than what's already been said...just thought I'd chip a bit in.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.