Sunday 25 April 2010

Hobby Burnout!


I've reached that point again, I've spent the last two hours trying to get stuck into Harker's squad and instead, I've just been trying to find anything to distract me from it. I've realised that I've got hobby burnout, I've been here before, it's nothing new and I'll probably be here again at some point in the future.

I sometimes forget that this is a hobby, something that I do for enjoyment. Instead, I build up a list of things I need to get done, then I reach a point where I feel pressurised to get them done and finally it gets to me so much that I can't be bothered with it at all.

Luckily, I know I'll be fine, I'll give it a week or so and I'll be gagging to get stuck in again. In the meantime, I'm going to do a bit more work on my distraction project - Going on Campaign. I reckon I can get another section done in the next week or two, so expect to see stuff coming your way soon.

On the guard front, there's plenty of stuff I want to get finished and a few things I want to start, so once I've got my mojo back, expect to see some more interesting projects. In the meantime, it'll be a bit quiet here and a bit busier on GoC.

Stay tuned guys!

15 comments:

Big Jim said...

I feel you bro! Happened to me just recently and took me a few weeks to recover. I did just like you are planning I distracted myself with something that didn't involve painting.

Now I am back full steam ahead with a new perspective on things!

Good luck and I look forward to the return of the IG when you get back to them!

-Jim

TheKing Elessar said...

Be back soon, mojo!

I'm pretty close to that point, tbh - I keep wanting to switch on my XBox...but I REALLY need to rearrange my Carrier Cases to see how many more I need...it seems 7 Army Cases and 4 Small Cases simply isn't enough these days...I blame the models for assembling themselves and claiming extra room they haven't earned...

Col. Hessler said...

Take your time, friend. You can't force creativity. We'll all be waiting to welcome you back with open arms.

Just be sure to come back soon because we are all expecting a great deal from you in the future...LOL

Cheers mate!

WQRobb said...

The thing a friend of mine once said was "never obligate your fulfillment."

SC John said...

When it stops being fun, its break time, but still ok to blog about it, when I hit the wall, I switch to a different game, little planes or WWII to change it up, then back with a fresh outlook, see you back soon.

John
Santa Cruz Warhammer

Da Masta Cheef said...

Good to see that you heed your own advice there Colonel. Indeed as you told me when i hit burnout a ways back, just give it a few weeks, and withdrawals will set in & getcha back in the game!

Sidney Roundwood said...

Hey Colonel...it’s funny how The Burnout Block happens, isn’t it? You think you’re being all organised, with a list of hobby “to dos” and whatnot. And then you add a few dates in, just to be super targeted and hyper-efficient. And then, hey presto, the whole thing seems like you’re back at work. ARRRGGGHHH....and you don’t need the pressure on! LOL - I know I’ve been there as well !! Have a break, catch up on some DVDs, relax, miss a few hobby deadlines and come back stronger. Your site is truly inspirational and you’ll really be missed while you’re away....but enjoy the break !

CanolliCrusader said...

Ya dude, as soon as it feels like an obligation...I slow down.

obligation has a funny way of sucking the fun out of something. Take a breather, then come back better and fresher. Youd be surprised how some time can give you a fresh look on everything.

but dont stray too long, the 40k gods are vengeful in nature.... :P

Mordian7th said...

Completely understandable, Corbane! Army fatigue can strike without warning, and the best way to counter it I've found is to just take a break for a week or so, and/or work on a different project (that doesn't even need to be hobby related). I find that the more structure I try to put into my hobby time, the less interested I am when I'm actually sitting down spending the time, so more often than not I just work on whatever inspiration may dictate. I have some overarching goals but I find setting deadlines for myself is a near-guarantee that I'll burn out before I reach them. Nevertheless, I look forward to seeing what project grabs your interest next, your work never fails to inspire!

CylonDave said...

We all hit that point where we look at this hobby and feel it's more of a Job then something fun. That's when you need to put down the brush and step away from your work station. Maybe go to your local game store and actually put your models on the table to play sometimes helps. I've been there lots of times when I work on my various projects. I just stop and actually go play with the models I just finished, this pumps me up to work on more and get more stuff done to play with. Good Luck!

Col. Corbane said...

@Big Jim - It won't take long before I'm knocking out the guardsmen again mate.

@The King Elessar - When you start saying things like 'REALLY need', it's time to take a break matey.

@Col. Hessler - I sometimes forget this is a creative hobby and treat it like a factory line. I must try to find my muse again!

@WQRobb - Wise words!

@Scdarkangel - It won't be long mate, the hobby always drags me back. In the meantime, I've got my distraction project and Heroquest to keep me interest mate.

@Da Masta Cheef - If you don't take your own advice mate, who else is going to take it - lol. I'm already feeling better.

@Sidney Roundwood - I think the word deadlines should be banned from the hobby, and then we'd all be happier!

@CanolliCrusader - I don't think I could stray for long mate, I get withdrawals if I don't flick through a codex before bed - lol

@Mordian7TH - I really should try to through the structure out of the window and be a lot more organic with my hobby, but I probably won't, there's too much to do.

@CylonDave - Good advice mate although I normally prefer to write when I sick of painting, I struggle getting gaming time in with my family commitments. I need gaming buddies who live closer!

Dj Batman said...

Hey Col. I've been there myself for the past few weeks. I'm just starting to feel a drive for hobby once more after watching a WotR tourney. I've also got an Apoc game on friday that I'm looking forward to.

In the mean time I've been busy trying to sort life out and been playing a few games of Incursion and just hanging with mates which has been good. I found I couldn't force it and was just over it but I can feel the itch returning.

oni said...

I know what it's like to have hobby burn out. Currently life's hand of misfortune is smacking me around like a rag doll and it makes me not want to do much of anything hobby related. :(

Col. Corbane said...

@Dj Batman - It's amazing what gets you back interested again, I watch avatar a couple of nights ago and found myself thinking about converting a valk!

@Oni - Life gets like that mate, it'll sort itself out evenetually and the hobby is still going to be there for you when you're ready.

The 25mm Warrior said...

I'm about there too Sir! I just keep buying crap since I dig putting models together a lot more than painting em.

Maybe I should just do some terrain for a bit...