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.
