Why Do I Play? Making Sure You Play For The Right Reasons...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- This one gets into some personal territory: talking about relationships with family, mental health issues, and using social activities on demand to cope with the latter at the risk of harming the former.
It won't be for everybody, but it may be for somebody.
I have been there, taking on distractions and passions as an avoidance. It takes a lot to put yourself out there, and sometimes that is all another person needs to hear.
Literally had the same realization this Thursday and am currently taking a break from the discord. This is really important stuff to talk about, thanks for putting it out there!
You bet, man. Though I'll miss seeing you on there! Looking forward to our next conversation.
Hey! Welcome back
Many thanks, Stephen! 😁
I hear you about going a little overboard... I am running 4 games, and playing in a few... in addition to working on my channel it's a wonder I haven't gone totally mad... well, moreseo.
But ultimately D&D has been a sanctuary for me - especially as a lost teenager back in the day, trying to figure things out. Now D&D helps me as a lost middle-ager!
Definitely. I think that all of that can be fine as long as you aren't leaving stuff out in the cold. That was my issue. RPGs are a really damn powerful for helping us nerds unite, though, especially introverts like myself.
@@AaronthePedantic Introverts unite! Separately, in our own homes! :P
@@Merlinstergandaldore hahaha yes!
I play for the hot nerdy chic's! 😉
This is a valid reason. 🤣
I'm totally kidding, but that's from an Old Gamer perspective.
In all seriousness, I wish I could make the mistake of gaming too much. But the Satanic Panic stopped my groups gaming in 1981. Being bullied for gaming was a thing, & when I went to college I never gamed because of it, I was occasionally reminded as those who would persecute gamers would mentione thieir hatred of gamers. I always just kept reading & collecting for decades. I haven't gotten to game again since before COVID showed up. I actually envy you. But I'm painting terrain. So there's that. My Roommate got COVID, so no chance for in person gaming again. I'm a Luddite as far as tech & as someone with a head injury, I prefer in person with miniatures.& terrain.
@@calvanoni5443 I hope you get to play again soon, man, but you laying down your thoughts is incredibly beneficial for people like me who need counter perspectives from time to time. You're doing your part! And my terrain/mini game is weak as hell, so I envy that you've got that down!
Yep, good advice which a lot of gamers would benefit from at least hearing. You've got kids? Big factor, that.
I'm impressed that you've apparently broken through and out of the industry of it all.
... I'm in a situation where I've been turning to gaming online to attach myself to real people from Western cultures. I know that it isn't like actually having my feet/roots in a non-virtual community and participating, which is more meaningful, but otherwise there's too often actually nothing comparable available for me otherwise. Usually the more time I spend in TH-cam comments, on the other hand, or hanging out in stream chats, is a sign that things aren't going so well for me; not gaming and instead listening to videos about gaming? Not a good path. Hopefully things will straighten out in my situation soon.
I think all we can do is try to check in with ourselves and see what we're getting for our time we put in. Though all of my RPG discourse was me trying to cope with stuff, there were periods where that was just about all I could do and it really helped me develop my gaming philosophy. Nothing wrong with that as long as you're taking care of what you need to, and even then we can't always be perfect.
Hang in there, bud.
Regardless of what the hobby is, people find these enjoyable pastimes to balance the stresses of their lives. When the stresses increase, so to can the compensating relief through a hobby. That's why it's a balancing act. We need to always watch the balance and if it tips too much in one direction we need to tip it back. True Neutral. Multiple games in a week? I can manage running one a week on discord and I love my Friday nights because of it. Anything more would be an injustice to the other responsibilities in my life...no matter how tempting it might be.
Good on you for being so forthcoming about such a personal issue!
In the early months of the pandemic, I was running 6 games per week. It was fun, but after a few months I burned myself out and needed to take a break.
RPGs have always been a wonderful escape for me. I started playing when I was 5 years old, so basically games have been in my life for almost all of my life. But, escapism can turn into a negative when you neglect real life, real world, and real relationships. I have found that balance is the key; a pursuit which I must now keep in my mind at all times.
Hell yeah, Bill. Balance is everything. For me, I think I've got too much to fix for me to have any more than one night a week. But people who have their heads on a little straighter could definitely handle more.
@@AaronthePedantic Well, I wish older me could warn younger me about how much harder life is when you have a full-time job and 2 kids. But, I regret nothing, especially not the thousands of hours of role playing games. So, keep your chin up and stay focused my friend.
Thank you for restoring the videos, Aaron. Even if you don't make any more, what you've made is so valuable.
There will be more coming! Thanks for the kind words.
He’s back!
Yep! When I've got something to say, I am! 😅
I have a similar obsessive personality. I'm about a year and half into the hobby and have purchased too much. I joined too many games and left them as I found I was dissatisfied with most online play. Tried to run too many different things. I've cut down to just focusing on making my one campaign for people I know more fun. With side games when people can't make it. I am now in "reject FOMO" mode and my obsessive personality makes me want to buy into a different hobby lol! Thanks for sharing. I enjoy and am often entertained by the discord too.
I feel ya, Jon. I'm glad you sound like you're also in a better place on all this!
Hey bro, sent you some things on discord, private.
Please don’t take this the wrong way but I’m kinda relieved. I was thinking “Jesus I coulda gone to highschool with this guy and he’s managing a gaming community, kids, wife, job etc” when I could barely find time for one weekly game? 🤣 In all seriousness good luck gonna miss the regular videos but I’m glad for, you balance is hard to figure out.
I don't take that in a bad way at all, man. We've all only got 24 hours in a day, and unfortunately I do have to sleep. Lol. So I was cutting the wrong corners.
Good time to pull back, reevaluate, and prioritize, hoss!
I play because Aaron was a fun GM who put up with my shanagins and tried to kill me every game and arron is just a good person
You're the best, man. If you were out in my area, you'd be welcome at my table game in a heartbeat.
@@AaronthePedantic same
Even though it was obviously tough on you and somewhat unhealthy, your whirlwind exposure to so many aspects of gaming DID give an interesting perspective.
I know that, I for one, benefited from you sharing the journey.
Do what is best for You Aaron.
I like Oscar Wilde's take on this sort of thing..."Everything in moderation, including moderation".
@@JamesEck9095 Damn, I love that quote. I appreciate the kind words! I'm of the belief that there's always a silver lining. I may need to clean up after myself, but there were good things in the process as well.