What I Think Lies Behind My DnD Burnout

[Andrew D. Gable]

You could make an argument for this going on Gen RPG but as it gets into some non-RPG topics, I stuck it here.

The last few months, for the last year or so really, I've been getting a lot of cases of DM burnout. Some may remember me posting about them. First I thought it was DM burnout, then that I was for some reason mad at my players... then I realized it was none of that. I was burned out on DnD. Here's why I think it may be.

Basically, DnD served a psychological purpose for me. It's not nice to say, but it was the same purpose as drinking and... the other activities in the latter part of college. I was insecure about myself. It was a way of withdrawing, gaining acceptance from certain people... and now that I'm becoming more and more self-confident this last year, and especially these last few months, I'm beginning to... not feel the need for DnD anymore, really. It's odd.

Plus, I was realizing I spent *way* too much money on it.

I still really love fantasy, I'm still gonna hang out and post here, I'm still going to DM the games I'm already running in PbP and play other RPG systems.

 

[Treebore]

I think you are just realizing D&D isn't a crutch for you anymore. That you can stand on your own without it. Its called growing up. Most people feel they can only go out drinking with their buddies to be accepted. You used to feel you could only be accepted based on your gaming. Now you are becoming mature enough to realize people can/should/must accept you as you.

As long as you also realize you can keep on gaming and still be a "man" or "adult" you will stay a gamer.

 

[jester47]

Now you can play D&D JUST to play D&D. Its far more enjoyable that way...

A.