Article:
Burnout: Diagnosing and Treating It

LARPs are different in many different ways, but there is one thing that appears to be consistant amongst LARPs, as well as pretty much any game that you might play.

I'm talking about Burnout.

Burnout can, and given enough time will, happen to everyone. Organizers and plot members might be more prone to burnout, but every single one of us could experience less and less fun as we head to events, until we decide we simply do not want to do it anymore.

Burnout can have a serious effect on everyone around you. That's why friends don't let friends burnout violently.*

Signs of Burnout

If you think you or a loved one might be experiencing burnout, look for these signs.

- Not taking RP seriously
- Focusing on faults of the game instead of the good
- Consistantly missing events or deadlines without sufficient reason
- Disinterest in previous interests
- Chronic boredom

If you can identify two or more of these symptoms, that person might be on the verge of Burnout. Don't worry! Burnout is completely natural when a person has put in sufficient effort over a long period of time.

So what should I do when I see the onset of Burnout?

1. Talk to Someone
For whatever reason, we are compelled to keep our discontent to ourselves. Unfortunately, this doesn't help fix the problem. Sometimes, verbalizing the problem with someone else is enough to work through whatever's bothering you, averting the crisis. Grab a friend and let them know what's up. At the very least, it helps you identify this problem and deal with it.

2. Change your game
This could actually mean one of two things. First, you can simply try to change how you play the game. If you're used to doing heavy RP, try picking up some fighting skills. If you're a hardcore fighter, play a roleplaying role. Force yourself out of your comfort zone. The brain craves challenges and this will give you a chance to excel at something else for a change.

The second thing you can do is try another game altogether. There are many games out there to try, and playing something new and exciting could be enough to break you out of a LARPing funk.