After being introduced to gaming in 1977, I haven’t played since...2016? 2017? No significant gaps besides this current dry spell.
The why? Well, I sort of had a falling out with my game group of 20 or so years about communication. There were other factors as well, but that was the proverbial straw. I haven’t seen any of them in person since December or January.
And for a variety of reasons, I really haven’t felt like finding new players to game with. I know some, but I don’t think I would be a good mix with them, again, for many reasons.
I don’t consider myself as having given up the hobby, though. I’m just waiting...
As to finding another group or something, I simply haven’t tried looking for anything at all. It’s not like getting back into dating after breaking up with a girlfriend, but there is an analogous lack of inclination to get back into that social situation. The effort. The uncertainty.
Plus, I do have a lot to do right now. The inertia of an ongoing, active group was a key factor in letting me continue gaming.
What cause me to stop is going to college. I got together with some gamers maybe one or twice in my freshman year, but most of my new friends were not gamers and school, work, and other activities took focus and ended up selling all my gaming material.