RP "Fatigue"

[Nytem4re]

I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this, but I feel after guildfall I've just lost a lot of motivation/interest. It's not because of the new people coming in, or the old people leaving, it's just.... me.

RP feels very tiring for me at this point. No, I am not writing a page of the finest literary work known to man in my posts, but I've been finding it difficult to write more than 1-2 paragraphs. But I feel I've grown more self conscious of my writing, fearing what others might think. Back then, when my writing was utter bullshit I hardly cared what people thought, but it seems with improvement I've grown this fear of judgement.

I've been lurking more than rping nowadays, which depresses me slightly. I've been trying to find an reason for this, such as my preference for the free section pre guildfall, to guildfall itself, which I've come to realize is a faulty assumption to make.

I suppose I have RP "Fatigue", and I wanted to ask people if taking a break would really make it better or if trying to continue rping is the better option to make. Don't get me wrong, I will always love RPG. Imo no other site compares, but my motivation/interest has waned.

Any advice on how to get past this slump?

[Undine]

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[Kelewen]

I've been there... frequently. Just take a break until you miss it, then jump back in! In the meantime, other forms of role play might be enjoyable and get the creative juices flowing again (maybe a table top RPG or even a LARP?)

[NuttsnBolts]

I usually watch an anime when I'm in a slump. I find they tend to spark ideas and inspire me with character designs. Also, make a little bit of a plan for yourself. Think about the character you want to design, the triumphs they can experience, and the down falls they will have to endure. Characters that struggle are a lot more interesting than more powerful ones. Music is also a good choice. It can get those creative ideas flowing and start to help you out of the slump.

Pretty much, put yourself out of your comfort zone and see how that goes. RPing should never become a chore but if you're enjoying it, then keep it up.

As for people. Pfth... you can't expect that comfort bubble to stick around your whole life. If people leave then look at others and try to get to know them. I've been on so many forums before, met people I like, and people I hate, but after being here for a few months I can say that I have a group of friends that I can really appreciate. That's the whole reason why people join a forum, to meet others. The role playing is just a common interest that connects us. Once you forget that you've essentially forgotten the key reason why people role play.

[DruSM157]

Writing slumps can be the worst, whether it be normal solo writing or in a RP. It's scary falling into a creative slump in RP because you tend to have people depending or waiting on you to post, and that doesn't help the anxiety, the stress or the motivation to post. And honestly, it's a mixed bag when it comes to dealing with slumps. Everyone deals with it differently, and it'll take some time to figure out what works best for you.

Me? I usually take a day for myself and relax or find other enjoyable activities. This works especially well when i'm doing long form writing, where I can waste hours on a word doc and feel like my soul is slowly being drained out of my body. It sucks. Doing something fun also helps, whether it's going out for a nice brisk nature walk, watching a few episodes of your favorite TV series or just sitting down to play a game.

Sparking the creativity is also a good way of reinvigorating yourself-though be wary as you can burn out twice as fast if you keep pushing yourself to write/post/etc. Hitting a slump is one thing, but completely burning yourself out is another (and it can be bad pulling yourself up after that).

Find things that inspire you, make you happy, or just relax you. If you don't have any pressing RPs going on right now-even better. You can take as much time as needed to relax and let yourself rest before jumping back into RP. If you need to take a break while in the middle of a RP, it might be good to contact the GM and other writers, and let them know what's up as well.

I hope you can get some rest in and feel reinvigorated for writing! It's one of the most demanding, draining and mentally exhausting hobbies out there, but I wouldn't trade writing for anything in the world!

[Ellri]

Did your RL situation change significantly pre-guildfall and post-guildfall? (say changing school, finishing school, etc)

If so, that could affect things.

If you were rather young prior to guildfall, it could also be a part of growing up? That also affects patterns.

[Sypherkhode822]

@Nytem4re, I've been in a similar situation as you. I had a bunch of stuff going on IRL, and so I had to drop most of my Rps I was in, keeping up with only one or two Rps that I felt were critical for my involvement and I genuinely cared about.

The RL stuff has finally wrapped up, but I'm still reluctant to join any new Rps.

If you're tired of Rping, just stop. (Well, at least tell the Gms and everyone else that you plan to quit!) Most people are understanding, and the ones who aren't are dongers, so who cares what they think.

Come back to us when you feel the urge. There will always be somebody here willing to have you.

No matter how long it's been since you've been on last.

[Rica]

If I find myself staring at a post unsure what to write, I put it off. Give it a few hours or a day, maybe two. Focus on other things, probably gaming for me. (though lately it's been lugging stuff from old apartment to new apartment) Or sometimes I play around on Tumblr. Eventually I go back, re-read a few posts to refresh the events in my head and usually by that point I can get a good post going.

If not I talk to my RP partner about what I can do next, usually that at least gets the juices flowing and communicates to my partner I'm hitting a small snag creativity wise. Two birds with one stone. :P

[Dolerman]

I like to have some music on as I write, usually a theme that will help me get inside the roleplay or look at images and pictures that are relevant to the roleplay to get my imagination in the setting. Ive definately had fatigue before. But when I really go to that place in my imagination I almost forget I'm writing I just get taken there.

[Vilageidiotx]

Like @Undine said, don't write if you don't enjoy it. Everybody has a hobby, and our interests certainly change with time. For all I know, in ten years time I might drop writing for bull riding or some shit like that.

But if the problem is mostly that you feel as if you are being judged, don't worry about it. Nobody here is completely perfect (except maybe me but i don't know), just learn to take any critiques as an opportunity to improve yourself. Writing is like any other art, if you want to be good at it you need to seek chances to improve instead of seek evidence that you don't need improvement.

[A Man Is No One]

Greetings,

You are not alone in your feelings of fatigue. I too have felt the pain of rust caress my joints. It often takes the form of writer's block but perhaps you may simply be overtaken by apathy towards this particular writing medium. When I had this feeling it was with a thought that my time writing would be better spent if I was working on a novel or something that was more definitive. With role playing so often do we put so much work into it only to have the thread go unfinished that it can be frustrating just to leave a character on the side lines. But I think what is important is that role playing should not be seen as a complete replacement for individual writings but instead a means to maintain a growing understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and experience as a writer during our collaborations. There is something to be said for accuracy, brevity, and clarity, which is what I would assume is happening within your two paragraphs. The elaborate, descriptive paragraphs you may desire are not always a necessity. I would suggest finding a medium that exploits such lengths or quality and subsequently wait until such writing becomes questionable and perhaps pushes you into a higher level of quality or pushes you towards a notebook.

As always concerns, criticism, and questions are welcome.

[Ether]

It's just burnout. It happens to any activity that requires dedication. After a while you lost interest and given enough time, you may forgot about it or you come back to it.

[ArenaSnow]

It's hit me pretty hard as of late... I'll probably refrain from IC posting altogether until I regain the "Spark".