“Oh boy, am I happy.” -Every Professional KZreadr in Current Year

@CombatSportsNerd

3 жыл бұрын

*OOF*

I like how the message of this is actually that you can't fix burnout and you shouldn't deny yourself that feeling

@angelusnielson7135

3 жыл бұрын

It's OK to take a break, for sure. IT's generally best for everyone.

@adamwelch4336

3 жыл бұрын

It better to feel sad sometimes and it's ok to feel that way

@benjaminfrost2780

3 жыл бұрын

DM burnout can be avoided entirely by taking breaks between campaign endings and campaign starts, as well by not running too much D&D. Some people it means don't run more than one, others more than that. Find your sweet spot but it entirely can be avoided. Been DMing since 3.5 D&D so well over a decade and never had burn out as a DM by pacing myself to no more than 2 games ran congruently and by taking a minimum 2 - 3 month break but up to a full year break after finishing a campaign before starting a new one. As well having multiple people willing to DM to take turns REALLY HELPS a ton to have a rotation going.

I am DM 90 percent of the time. So I can totally relate. I like running games but sometimes I just want to play. I really like being a player. Just being responsible for one character instead of everything is super refreshing.

@friendlytalbot4050

3 жыл бұрын

I have this exact same issue. If I don't commit myself as a forever-DM, I will never see a session of D&D in my life. But damn do I love that once-in-a-while chance of just being a player.

@matthewvillanueva4420

3 жыл бұрын

@@friendlytalbot4050 same same

@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181

3 жыл бұрын

90%... those are rookie numbers. I've been in the shit for 14 YEARRRRSSSS! *Grizzled Nam-vet stare*

@nicholaslewis9845

3 жыл бұрын

Preach🙌🏼

@herman1francis

3 жыл бұрын

@@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181 Seth skorkowsky has an amazing video on having one of your players dm you and the rest of the group. I watch it from time to time to imagine what it would be to play the game for once.

Anybody else notice this kid just did a superb video on “burnout” overview? Like not just in context of gaming but business and project coordination.

@tacothecat1604

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah. I felt this way right before I left my last college because I realized that I did not want to make a career out of the major I was studying. It’s hard.

@CobaltContrast

3 жыл бұрын

Maybe the use of kid was introspective.

@nolanwest7281

3 жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t say “introspective” rather colloquial in usage. Lol

"The Sunk Cost fallacy had to kick in eventually." God, I felt that. I felt that so much, and I don't even get paid. I don't often comment in videos. But this, this I couldn't help. I never felt I would relate to a video this much. Thank you, Davvy.

As a writer. I find "DM burnout" and "Writer's Block" to go hand to hand... I think if you reached that limit...youre just beating a dead horse

"Ugh, I'm so sick of playing D&D, gonna go play videogames." *Booting up Baldur's Gate 3 yet again.*

This is a life lesson for multiple things. “Maybe I’ll stay home and not go to the party” *BAM!* now you’re socially burnt out and don’t wanna go out anymore. Love you Davvy and hope you get back on that horse

Why do I feel like you're breaking up with us? Did I just get dumped? Because if I just got dumped on KZread by a complete stranger, that is definitely a first! 😂

@Oniphire

3 жыл бұрын

He even used the "it's not you, it's me" line lol

Taking time off from DMing is great. Every time I have taken a break and been a player instead I have learned so much. It opens you up to different play stiles, settings, and rules that can change your perspective on gaming. That is not only going to be good fro you as a DM and player but as a Video Creator.

It's ok Davvy. We all need a vacation every now and then. Take your time you've earned it.

Im glad youre taking a break. You clearly were over exerting yourself and it was taking its toll on you. Find the time to enjoy yourself.

Thank you Davvy. I was running 2 homebrew games consistently and 3 more with erratic, "whenever the stars align" scheduling, while in school full time, for almost a year. I'm halfway through my two month break from DMing and my homebrew games are on hiatus indefinitely. It was really hard to make that call. I love being a DM but I could feel myself burning out. Hearing you talk about burnout has made it clear to me that I made the right choice. Sometimes you just need a break. Love you Davvy ❤️

"If you're a loyal Chappy fan and will watch anything I put out (except for vlogs)" hahahahah I feel called out

Thanks man. I'm in my first burnout after two years and needed to hear this.

As a Roll20 DM running 2 games as time of posting, I'm really glad you posted this. I find running the two games REALLY hard especially hard because, while my players aren't expecting amazing combst or maps or stuff, the sessions have failed a lot. Players have gone inactive and in my first session two players left without a word, only 3 messages in. Nearly all the original players have left and I got more applicants, some of them leaving too. Only four of us are left in one of the game and the second campaign hasn't even started yet. Listening to this video has really been insightful. Thanks.

@somed655

3 жыл бұрын

Maybe you should focus on running one game that doesn' t suck instead of two that keep players running away?

I had a fight with a player who in process of talking with everyone about the issues and me trying to make it work just yelled “I really think it’s me!” and just quit the zoom discussion we had. I already had four players that quit because of work schedule change and life issues and had to kick one out who was very descriptive and especially having issues w the one that rage quit. All this in last 4 months or so. And all while I was creating and running in my own Japan based home brew setting I’m planning to publish. So, yeah, I’m feeling burned out and I’m taking a break with one of the player starting campaign in different setting. That player ego quit my campaign is in this one as a fellow player, which I’m little apprehensive about to be honest. The whole experience made me dislike D&D to a degree for creating conflicts with friends, though I do want to get back to it.

@christiantaylor3877

3 жыл бұрын

If that person is making you not want to play D&D then you don't have to it with them. There is no law that you must play D&D with them.

Stay strong! During covid I did that for 5 days a week too and after it I never wanted to even hear "dnd" again. I switched over the Monster of the Week and it was a bit easier for me to handle but still...gotta pace yourself. 5 days a week is brutal for this stuff

Super great video! Loved how true it rings to a lot of us.

Thank you for sharing! I honestly hit that point tonight and just joined as a player for the first time in years. Your videos have been great and have been one of my go to’s for quick insight on anything I’m not familiar with.

You have my support Davvy, Best wishes going forward.

another masterpiece. thank u davy, i hope ur happy. very similar experiences to my own, look after yourself

It's nice to see it "behind the screens" look at where you're at, and that you can embrace and teach acceptance around doing what's best for you. I appreciate that you expanded it beyond D&D. I'm glad you made this video.

Man as a forever dm running the same campaign the last 3 years and having doubted dming as of recently this has helped me alot thank you hopefully this will inspire onwards.

I'll watching anything you put out even the vlogs, you are an entertaining man

Glad you've got a positive attitude about this, mate. I went through the same thing recently. Hang in there.

I needed this like four months ago!

Davvy, you are amazing, important and inspiring, TY so SOOOO much

Loyal Chappy fan here, even watching the vlogs. You're pretty creative to be so eloquent even in a morass like burnout

Chappy this is exactly how I felt running my homebrew campaign. I appreciate this video it encompasses the feeling perfectly

It sucks that it got this bad but I'm glad that you're taking time for yourself. I hope you'd feel ok just walk away all together too - not that this would/should happen, but having a constant "WHEN I get back into DMing..." in the back of your head may just keep you down. If you go back next week, sure that's great, but if you don't come back at all, that's fine too. D&D will always be there for you when, or if, you want it again

Hey thanks for what you do Davvy, you're good people

Geezer here.... Great Vid on a much overlooked topic. For myself burn out lasted a number of years. Glad I got over it, but how times have changed. That was the big downside, lost time. The upside was a big change. Facing some truths about what being a "dm" really means. Mostly just saying it to myself. But honestly I spent about 3 months now working on a "new campaign/world" and will perhaps be another 3 before running it. NO regrets, it has been a blast. The pain in the patoot of finding new players that are willing to engage in a nontraditional setting (that is not another blatant dark future) and system does not even phase me. In short I think you touched on a real key. Play or not, take a break from behind the screen. Best wishes. Game On.

Man, I needed this video like 5 months ago lol

I am literally going through this right now. Thanks for this video.

This may be the best video you put out mate.

whew the mention of "What if I didn't run a session this week?", and the whole dm burnout is mostly felt in between sessions was intense., Im a forever DM and I have felt this, exp lately. To fellow forever DM's, Id suggest having a chat with a friend who cant play bc of their schedule and give them your big or burned out villian plot and ask howd they move forward.. Its amazingly invigorating just asking ppl unrelated to your game chime in with howd they run that NPC

Yep I will watch whatever you put out, you got me there.

Thank you.. seeing this really helped me a lot. It’s tiring for me to constantly DM, have been running an 8-12h a week for more than half a year now. My campaign is almost ending and I feel incredibly tired

Hey Davvy! Love your vids, great content! You mentioned West Marches.... I would love to hear your experiences and knowledge on The West Marches kind of game! Thanks brother, and keep rolling dat 20 on these vids! :D

As a dm, i need this Edit: really nice sentiment. Thanks

I have mad respect for DM’s. I can’t imagine the patience, creativity and time it takes to do what they do.

You're doing a great job, man

Davvy, seriously, ur like, such a great person.

I love your videos, man.

Take the longest rest you need! Also if it helps just know that after years of watching your dnd videos, I took the leap and actually played my 1st game of dnd......i was knocked unconscious 3 times our druid was killed and we lost to 4 goblins....but I'm happy I did it and happy your videos helped me take the leap :D

This video really helped me realize I needed to take a break. I was stressing so much about if my players would enjoy my sessions that I would stay up all night before the day of the session re writing what I had planned over and over. I'm going to take a break for a while and just enjoy this game of make believe as a player. Thanks for helping me realize I can just tell my players what is happening and that I need to take a break.

Damn son. Appreciate this

I LOVED YOUR VLOGS!

Im currently in a burnout. Been dming a nonstop campaign every sunday for 2 years and man its tough. Think I'm gonna go back soon! Thanks davvy!

I hope that you can recover from your burn out Davvy, I really enjoy you and your content but I would never want you to keep going with anything if you aren't enjoying it anymore. You are a bright ray of sun shine and I don't want you to ever dim your light.

Do whatever you need, Davvy. I've been watching your vids for almost a year and a half, you're videos are entertaining and informative. Please, take this time to do whatever you want or need. We'll be waiting for the return of the King. But, that'll about do it. You've probably gotten a bunch of comments like this

Giving myself permission to fall in and out of love with my hobbies has been incredibly liberating. I'm happy to see others giving it a try.

Pretty good insights into burnout in general I think!

Just a loyal fan and will watch everything.

Thanks for the advice

around the time quarriteen hit i had serious burnout and my group moved to online sessions. the burnout was real. at the time i was working a 9-5 5 days a week, my Saturdays were all setup and Sunday was chalked full of before session prep. ive been doing that straight with no breaks for 2 years. the times i wasn't playing dnd i was content but i felt guilty for not thinking of plot hooks and character arch's. and when i sat down to write my mind was then blank. about 3 sessions into the online dnd i talked to my players that i was feeling burnt out and thus we were about to have a boss encounter, thankfully my players understood and we took a break. 6 months went by before i started to feel the itch to play again, so i messaged all my players telling them that hey i was ready to play again, and the first session back was amazing! it was like a breath of fresh air. idk if anyone will read this text wall but thanks davey for making a vid that described hat i was feeling that i couldn't put into words :)

Great video!!

This spoke to me spiritually.

Two of my brothers and I have a rotating DM chair that we change onna weekly basis. It has drastically helpped with the burnout.

This is super well-timed for me. I was running two games and occasionally writing and planning live shows (when that was a thing), and now I'm playing in a podcast actual play. I also 3D print, paint minis and craft. I also write comedy (again, used to perform). I got to where I was becoming an adversarial DM and even bickering with people on r/dndnext for no good reason. Now my main game is switching to Blades in the Dark for a bit, and a buddy is taking over my second game and I'm switching to player. I feel a million times better without so much pressure on me.

Throughout lockdown, I was running 8 or so games per week, or at least two games per day (one morning, one evening). It was certainly busy, but fun seeing as each group played the same story and had different outcomes. With nothing else for people to do during the big lockdown, it kept people happy, entertained and excited for the next session. The only thing that smashed it was returning to work and trying to juggle game dates, or the odd group who just murder hoboed their way without a care or concentration. I love DMing, but naturally it helps when you get to actually play once in a while.

Ever done that thing where you cancel but do the whole "We'll come back to it later" which just makes the burnout longer? It's even worse when players ask over and over again when your starting back because it brings up the dread again.

@KrodaStagg

3 жыл бұрын

I feel like not saying anything for months on end really conveys that the DM just doesn't want to do it anymore.

All DMs deserve to be players sometimes too

This helped, Hopefully my own dm burnout will end soon, Cheers davvy

Wow! What a great video.

I watch every video you put out, including vlogs

Take care of yourself Davvy, you've got a lot on your plate. Take the time you need, especially with KZread.

Im a DM in a Curse of Strahd campaign, and have been the 'main DM' for a weekly group for about a year now, which is absolutely crazy to me because I usually hit burnout after just a few sessions. I think part of what has helped is learning that I *can* cancel a session, even two or three in a row (even during the Corona lockdowns lol), as well as some of my friends picking up some games as DMs/GMs and us rotating. I'm now the CoS campaign DM, but one of my players is a GM for a MoTW Zombie apocalypse game we play infriquently, and we have another friend DMing a pirate game for us. On top of that I am in a Wildemount campaign, as a player, with completely different people. All of them are going strong, and I play with my friends multiple times a month!

I've had days where I didn't feel like playing but I procrastinated on telling the group until it was game day. I've made a policy that the last possible moment I will allow myself to cancel for anything but an emergency, is 24 hours before a session. After that, its set in stone. We. Are. Playing. So when I procrastinate, I more often then not end up forcing myself to play. Now that's not as bad as it sounds. Some of the best session I have ever DM'd came as a complete surprise happened as a forced session. But I also completely understand the thought process behind taking an extended break for a bit. Everyone just needs to do what they think is best for their own mental health. Maybe even ask a player if they want to run a few sessions if all it is, is you not wanting to dm. Nobody should ever feel down on themselves for needing a break. I am 72 4 hour long sessions into Curse of Strahd and we may break 100 or more by the time its done. Anybody would be kidding themselves if they thought they could do that without needing a few breaks now and then.

This dropped at the right time, I just started a month break after 2 years

I always ensure that for every game that I am a DM, I also play another game as a player. It's been a long time since I've had burnout, and I'm glad I found something that works for me.

Take care of yourself, that's the most important part

You are loved.

I experienced it recently on my homebrew campaign and kinda hit the wall so I started a prewritten book Waterdeep Heist and it really helped to not have to think so much but still have fun

I've enjoyed all your videos even the vlogs. I definitely know the feeling of burnout. I just want to drop all my games and go read books for fun dn play board games

I’ve been having the opposite of dm burnout, my players have been flaking and fizzling over and over on game! We switched during the pandemic to online, one player up and left in the middle of a session because he was unhappy with the casual style of the rest of the group and I had stopped bothering to try to make him happy at the expense of the rest of the group’s play. But now, we’ve had a few stoppages due to life circumstances and I’m basically GAGGING to run dnd and my players keep on having to miss sessions! That’s why I want to run a west marches campaign, so definitely get your video out so I can see it.

I totally identified myself. I was feeling that DM burnout. I was always an open person so it was easy for me to talk to them about it. Today i am focusing on studies and some other stuff. But my love for DMing will never die!

I have been a dm for about 3 years now and I completed about 7 campiegns. I found that running campiegns around 15-20 sessions long helps with burnout, since around the time the campiegn is ending Im getting bored of the setting and my players want to try another class, so everyone is happy. I get to make a new setting with new themes and my players get to experiment with new toys. Hi rubes

Yeah i have felt that

I needed to see that video. due to some circumstances i started DM'ing, but what burned me out is that my players were extremely greedy. they were asking day n night for a session and me being a dumbass, who just started to figure out what to do as a DM had to BS my way on each of them, since preparation is not my forte. all that and other things not only made me DM burned out, it mayde me tabletop RPG burned out. what was my favourite hobby, became a job... except i get paid in more job to do. So i followed the rule of "do literally anything else" and the dice finally start to sing their siren song, like they used to. But it's nice to know that I'm not a dirtbag for throwing in the towel, when i couldn't keep going.

One of the best things to happen to me as a DM was when one of my players said he wanted to DM, and we alternate campaigns. It has given me time to prepare my game without feeling rushed, and I get the chance to play the game from the other side of the screen, which itself has helped me in my DMing. My DND campaign was, sadly, forced to conclude after a player's abrupt and messy exit kind of soured the experience for everyone else, but I've recently started running a Monster Of The Week game with them, and while the lack of codified rules for every situation is tricky, it's a system that allows a lot of narrative flexibility and a minimum of math. It's kind of made to be fun and stupid, like a 90's sf action show, which takes a surprising amount of pressure off.

One thing to keep in mind as well is that you could also just have DMs Writer Block, which is different from DM Burnout. For Writer Block, the one thing you should never do is stop having your sessions. Even if you let someone else run a oneshot or even if you are playing cards, or some board game or whatever, just the mere fact that you still meet up and follow your schedule is important to fix writer's block. Authors fix their writer's block by just writing down SOMETHING.

Right now me and my friend are both dming with alternating weeks. It’s been great so far because we both have our own styles and it keeps the campaign feeling fresher.

I have been the sonsistent dm for my groups for 2 years now as well. Now what really burned me out was the fact that my first campaign the group just stopped coming. I picked sit back up on a whim got a consistent group together, and now have more players then I've ever dreamed of! But unfortunately it was on a whim and that means I wasn't as prepared as I should have been. So I asked a good buddy if he could run a campaign so I could get a week of break to write and fix the setting I had broken. And now I get excited for both sessions his and mine every week it's something new and the group gets to experience two styles of dming. And I get to learn from another style adding on to my skill.

@scottkalkouli2242

3 жыл бұрын

I would also like to point out I started 2 years ago and took the deep dive into dming rather than playing so me playing a character is a brand new experience

Holy shit Davvy plays Chronicles of Darkness!

Home brew yes, but in stead of beer...METH! Waaaay more exciting. Adam

As a dm aspiring to make a westmarches...Im excited for that westmarches episode

CHANGELING!!!!

Love you guy. Take a break. See you when you get back

I know burnout all too well, and my group found a solution that works for us. I run a game every other week and my other friend runs the other weeks. We've been going strong with it and I think it's genuinely something more groups should try. It might not be for everyone, but if this helps at least one other group, then it's all worth it.

Ayyyyyyyyyye welcome to the changeling fan-club I'll inform the other 3 people who know what the game is

Nice thumbnail art

I will say this, a solid pause can sometimes be just what you need, also sometimes a change of pace can really work wonders. I felt like trash for about 2 months and hated the Saturday game I was running it has been going on for 3 years now. We ran one session and then I let everyone know I wasn't going to be running next Saturday and probably not the week after. People seemed alarmed, they've all had at least one game just dropping off the face of the earth and never bounce back. We took 2 weeks off during that time they worked on making up a brand new character a few levels above their current level (around level 11) We did a 1 shot, 7 hours of a Ravnica themed adventure revolving around the Golgari invading and trying to reclaim and consume a section of the city. The funny thing was everyone randomly decided they wanted to be Izzet league, I didn't prompt any of it, they all insisted it was random. Legit had 2 Wizards (Conjuration and Evocation), 1 Fighter EKnight, 1 Tempest Cleric and a Ranger Horizon Walker. Without any measure of doubt it was a blast and I kind of think I know what the problem was. We had all just fallen into a rut. A high stakes, mutant rot infested, roller coaster ride with a half lich half druid at the end of it all. It was fun and it kicked everything back into gear for our regular campaign. I was relieved to feel that it wasn't just me, the players were having a bit of a lame time also, with fresh eyes 3 weeks later things came back to us quickly.

I've been fighting with Burnout by putting games to once every other weeks this helps with burnout because I have a weekend back and can relax and do other shit, also got rid of some toxic players which have made things a lot better for me. Still haven't really questioned if I'll stop, but anytime I have needed a weekend off I just tell my players straight up "I feel like garbage and don't want you guys to have an unenjoyable session, so we can run a short maintenance/shopping one with minor RP on my end and you guys chatting and tossing out subtle hooks for me to expand on with your back stories coming to light, or we can skip this week and pick back up next session when I WILL have my shit together for +6 hours" And the cool non-toxic ones went with it, understood, and didn't hassle me..The Toxic ones..Well they're not in my table anymore so that doesn't matter.

watching dnd videos while waiting for dnd

I am sad to see one of my favorite content creators throw in the towel for a little while. Hope to see you back soon. Have a great time and take it easy.

Video hitting a little too close to home considering I'm a GM who just missed a session today

@slerpasaur

3 жыл бұрын

that's me rn as well :^)

"Fear of a Campaign fading when a DM quits" is the main proponent for troupe-style play.

This video isn't just for D&D, this is great for GMing in general, for any game.