RPGaDay 2020 Day 13 – “Rest” #RPGADAY2020

Today’s prompt is “Rest”.

I’m fairly familiar with this one.  Sometimes, you need a break from GMing.  Sometimes, one is thrust upon you unexpectedly (I’m looking at you, COVID).  Sometimes, no matter how passionate you are about the game, occasionally you need a rest.  COVID has really shaken up my game nights (in that they don’t happen presently).  The only games I can run are happening remotely and while they are enjoyable, they’re not the same as having your friends over, sharing the table and laughing together.

The last rest that I had a say over, I started myself.  I was running games as a service to my friends.  I wasn’t enjoying it and I was just going through the motions because I felt it was just expected of me.  So, I called off game nights entirely.  It occurred to me that the core reason I wasn’t enjoying myself is that I was allowing my players to steamroll me… they were effectively able to shout me down, so they were never in any peril and I never got to tell the story I wanted to tell.  It was one of those times where a rest and restructure was really required.

So, if you’re a GM who is finding your game prep to be a chore, perhaps it’s time for a hiatus, so you get a break and possibly shift the ship’s course to reinvigorate your passion for the game.

~ by 1nsomniac on August 13, 2020.