Off-Topic: So I Think I’ve Been a Bit Burnt Out

Getting Back On One of These...
Getting Back On One of These…

After my staycation back in January, I was feeling pretty damned good about things around here. Then, I got sick…then, work really picked up…then, I had medical crap to deal with (high blood pressure, such a joy). I just realized, for the last couple of months, I’ve felt kinda burnt out…not just in general, but on spacey games. I’ve just felt “meh” toward playing just about anything. I realized this when I looked back at the content I’ve done for the site lately and realized all I’d really been playing is TIE Fighter. Now, TIE Fighter is freaking awesome, don’t get me wrong, but I have a whole queue of stuff I need to get to, and I don’t wanna be “that guy” that devs give their games to and never hear from again.

Once I realized I was burnt out sometime last week, I started dealing with it so as to change the feelings that have kept me feeling down and burnt out would change, and finally, FINALLY, I’m starting to feel positive again, and now feel ready to get back on the horse. I know I go through these phases where I do a bunch of content and then get distracted with something, whether it’s Skyrim or Driver: San Francisco or just life in general, then I always apologize for it, come back for a while, and fall back into it again like I did for the last two months. One would think I could power through it, but I don’t think I’m there yet. Even when I was a professional full-time gaming journalist, I never felt the love and passion for what I’m doing as much as I do for this site (oh, if I could only do this full time), but since I ask more of myself for this blog, I think it takes more out of me as well.

That being said, I always want to be transparent with you guys and let you know what’s going on, which is why I’m writing this post. I’m also writing it to be accountable, and to thank you all for visiting and continuing to visit even during slow times like these. I’m always striving to balance out this blog with the rest of my life, and I think this is just part of the process. It’s kind of like group therapy, methinks. :) Anyway, thanks for reading my ramblings, and stay tuned for a resumption of content soon! Yay! Thanks guys!! :)

Author: Brian Rubin

22 thoughts on “Off-Topic: So I Think I’ve Been a Bit Burnt Out

  1. Time to get outside and enjoy the weather? I know I despise you California people who enjoy good weather year ’round :-

    1. I’ve actually been outside more than usual due to taking up walking here and there. Should help with the overall healthiness. :) Where do you live?

      1. Chicago area. Visited Napa wine country last fall and loved it. I thought you mentioned somewhere (Qt3?) you lived in the Bay Area, right?

        1. I live in Los Angeles my own self, but I do visit Frisco not often enough (love it up there, have wonderful friends in the area). Been to Chicago once, last April. Loved it.

  2. You are not the only one :). My HOTAS Cougar is gathering dust at the moment!!!! (A couple of GTA San Andreas or GTA Vice City sessions, just driving around, and that’s it !!!).

    1. I just tried San Andreas recently, couldn’t get into it. And I hear ya, if it weren’t for TIE Fighter, my Saitek HOTAS would also be a dust collector. ;)

      1. I really liked the GTA Vice City setting. (I grew up wathing “Miami Vice”, back in the 80’s.) But the missions were unbalanced and quite hard!!! I do not like this “Hip Hop culture” setting of GTA San Andreas (Classic Rock FTW), but I think is a far better game!!

        1. Yeah, I’ve heard San Andreas is the best of the bunch, but I’ll be honest, none of them fully clicked with me since they went 3D. I LOVED 1 and 2 so much. Weird, I know.

          1. Not so much. It’s just different games!!! I will get to them someday !!!! :)

  3. Kick back where you can Brian – take it steady – I daresay us SGJ’s can forego a lack of updates for a while ;)

  4. Space games are the best, but there’s nothing wrong with playing other great games! Borderlands 2 and Bioshock Infinite have been getting the most played time on my Steam list lately.

    You’ll circle back to space games. We’ll still be here.

    1. I played a bit of B2 late last year, it was fun. I should get back to it someday. It just got some new content didn’t it?

      1. If you have the season pass it’s free, otherwise the upgrade to level 61 costs $5. Be warned levels 50-61 are MUCH harder.

  5. I know how you feel!
    I can’t do anything specific for more than a week or two without feeling like I’m being burned.
    What you might consider doing, is “scheduling” what to do next.. not the time, but the order.
    So like first is 2-3 tie fighter videos (you have what… 8?) then switch to two or three something else… then another thing… so that there is a nice mixup of different things you need to do… and then don’t hesitate to swap the order once in a while if something just seems seriously “mehhhhhh why?” And if you start feeling that way bout a subject, ask yourself why.

    but anyway, good luck with your burnouts.

    1. Yeah, I’ve actually begun to set aside time specifically for this blog. Before Nicole moved in, I had several nights a week to myself that I would use to work on this. I’ve now set several nights aside to work on the blog whether she’s home or not, so that should help out quite a bit. :)

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