DM Burnout - Any Remedies?

[+5 Keyboard!]

This topic has been brought up before, but I'm hoping that in this thread I can solicit advice from this community for how to combat or curtail DM Burnout.

I've been fighting it for about a year and about 2 weeks ago was one step from announcing that my campaign was done and I would not be doing any gaming any more for quite some time, if ever.

My own reasons for DM burnout are, to me, not really relavent for the discussion. I think that a broad array of advice should cover some or all of my own issues.

So what say you? Any tips or advice to avoid or defeat DM burnout when it rears its ugly head?

 

[fusangite]

Yeah -- listen to your burnout and take a break.

Either that or play very different games for a while.

 

[DragonLancer]

If you need a break, then take a break. It really is as simple as that. Don't give up on gaming though.

 

[Slife]

Change your DM's oil every three thousand miles, but more importantly, make sure you rotate the players every ten thousand or so. Otherwise, the front players will wear down more than the back players, which can cause skidding and end up with a complete blowout/disintegration.

If excessive wear is evident, replacing the DM entirely is a good idea. There's a reason you're supposed to have a spare.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

I listen to the Cure.... What? I like the Cure.

 

[Ry]

Make your weekly rpg night boardgame and movie night for a couple of months. Keeps the social connection there but also solves your burnout. By the end of it you'll be itching to run again.

 

[Oryan77]

Post here about your burnout. Listen to everyone turn the tables on you and call you a bad DM. Then tell us we're idiots and you're not that bad of a DM. Then prove it to your players at the next session. Afterwards you'll probably thank your lucky stars that you don't have to DM any of us. That's my plan anyway

 

[bento]

Here's some ideas:

* Have someone else GM for a while and play in their game.
* Pack some or most of your RPG books away. Read something that has nothing to do with gaming for a while
* If no one else will GM, play other kinds of games
* If you get the creative bug, write a short story or two
* Indulge another hobby for a while
* Catch up on your movie watching
* Go on long walks
* Take a bubble bath
* Make a nice dinner and eat by candle-light
(oops, getting a little off track, aren't I?)

* If you want to run a game, run a one-shot of something you always wanted to run before but never got the chance because you were wrapped up in your campaign.

How's that?

 

[+5 Keyboard!]

Dude! How'd you know my secret love of bubble baths?! They're the cure for EVERYTHING!

Good advice so far. I also like the suggestion of just switching the type of games you play for a few weeks. The group still gets to meet and socialize and it seems like a good way to switch gears.

Also, I couldn't agree more with switching out players every so often. Of course, minus the car maintenance jargon. A steady flow of new blood seems to do wonders to reinvigorate the group AND the DM. We haven't had any new players come through in a while. Hopefully we can get some more and that helps me get more excited about my game.

 

[+5 Keyboard!]

Post here about your burnout. Listen to everyone turn the tables on you and call you a bad DM. Then tell us we're idiots and you're not that bad of a DM. Then prove it to your players at the next session. Afterwards you'll probably thank your lucky stars that you don't have to DM any of us. That's my plan anyway

QFT