SL Burnout

Indulge me for a few paragraphs.

Second Life is a fantastic idea. LL has done a wonderful job. Creativity abounds.

So why, after 1 years and 7 1/2 months, do I find myself burnt out on SL? What has happened? Why can't I find something to do that draws me in.

Some possible ingredients to my stew are listed below:

1. I got involved in semi-serious relationships right out of the gate. I'm still friends with all of those that I was involved with. (I'm talking like 3-5 people, not hundreds..sheesh.)

2. I built alot. Not great. Not wonderful. Not as well as I wanted. But folks always enjoyed my builds.

3. I made no money in SL, nor did I try to. I opposed the commercialism and land barons. I fought aginst greed and big business. Yet now I see the attraction because it's something to strive for.

4. I love many of the folks in SL, yet I am a crappy friend and seldom talk to them. As tempting as it is to name names, I will hold off and just say that I am in awe of some folks personalities and creativity.

5. I created a club, (not a dance club), and it became very successful for it's niche, and later got involved in building everything on a private sim. That took some time, and got me re-involved. But after completion, I find myself with a hundred little details to add, and no gumption to add them.

5.a. I forget to add this. I and another (Alana Monde) created, and worked so very hard, on a very innovative magazine for SL, though it was sexual in nature. Along with some other folks (Taggy and Erin) we created something unique and as yet, unequaled in SL. But it was soooo much work, and was so niche. But I still am proud of the Erogenous Zone.

6. The community can be wonderful, but for some odd reason I avoid it at times. It seems like work.

7. Thank you to all those that know me and have been so kind to me over this time. (Had to put that in cause it's the most important part.)

So why the burnout? Why the spiral to seldom logging on for more than 30 minutes?

Possible reasons:

1. The cost of doing what you want in SL. It's gone up. And I'm not sure if it's justified.

2. A much bigger world than when i started. Shit, I am lost out there these days. It used to be so easy to keep tabs of builds and many of my favorites have vanished.

3. The actual, and honest need and desire to sit down and get to know someone. I'm sure it's still out there, but it's been shoved to the side to make L$ and to gain attention.

4. I don't drink as much rum as I should. In fact, I'm drinking vodka and orange juice tonight. The shame...

Anyway. I miss the world. I miss SL. But I don't miss it enough. I want to sit down and shoot the shit with a Linden. I want to dance naked at Darko's house., with Cyrus being all wierd next to me.

I want to hug Pendari, and laugh with Hosequeen, and love wench and April and giggle with the Aimee and Coco. I want to be in awe of Marak's builds, and fall into Jaxion's pit, and shake my head in Stroker's direction. I want to dress formal for Cris, and informal for BJ. I guess I want it to be life, but it's not.

And so I fade, slowly for sure, but I fade.

It happens to the best of us. I hit burnout a couple months ago. Tired of the relationship drama, tired of doing the same thing over and over and over. Tired of being copied. Tired of dealing with humans. ( I can't claim exemption from the big business thing, so I'm evil there ) Just tired.


It's almost too big these days. It's hard to meet people. It's hard not to get lost or feel like a statistic. :/


(whine)

Wow.

Amazing how much that echoes my own experiences here...

*smoooch David*

Don't fade completely away
Our hearts beat in endless time
The sheep flock what can we say?

My smiles for you always will be
To love and laugh it isnt a crime
Look through my eyes and you will see

Perhaps new vistas to warm your heart
Something funny and crazy and cool
Come full circle from where you did start

Dance in the grass, swim in my Lake
Cartwheel and cavort like nobody's fool
Just don't fade for gonness sake!

Wubs you darlin
I do
HUGGSSSS

Yup, likewise.. I found it less and less appealing for a while, then I took a break for nearly 4 months..

Tell the truth, I really didn't miss it much while I was gone... I found taking a walk away from everything was refreshing.. got me back on track doing things that I love doing.

Refreshed my brain so I could come up with bigger and better ideas..

No doubt in 5 months I'll get burnt out on it again and have another break..

Best advice I can give is never let Second Life become Second Job.. When you start telling yourself 'Oh man I *HAVE* to log in rather than I *WANT* to log in.. its time to take a break.

Because you don't NEED Second Life.. You don't HAVE to log in, and if you feel you do - it's time to get back to First Life to get some priorities worked out..

Siggy.

Well Siggy, you were one of my early hero's and I'm still in awe of your quick wit. What brings you back? What, when hitting the logon button, do you look forward to? I miss erotic poetry and Limericks.

Awww...love you darlin. You are one of the great ones *hugs you tight* Oh! Did you say sheep?

I sure did.



I know what you like

Oh...forgot to mention (I know..it's a name), Flipper, for the kiss during T or D, and for honestly talking, and being concerned on the morning after me leaving Indigo. I left you in a bind, and you handled it with style, compassion and grace. You are a gem bud. Thanks again for the $ texture.

I am also burned out with sl I don't really like clubs and shopping is boring anymore the lag makes any of the games unsatisfying and I don't want a love relationship in sl the only reason I do come in is to work on textures but I like the work I do so that’s all that keeps me coming in now.

Hope you can find what your looking for.

Mr. Valentino, you echo the sentiments of all the members of society that have been here for whatever time deemed fit for each individual to hit that wall. I, for one, am a casualty of several burnout periods.

I have no great words to share with you of how to overcome it or how to get back the initial feelings. I will simply share with you, as the others have, that you are not alone in these feelings.

If you will indulge me but a moment I will tell you how I have dealt with these times and feelings...I have reconnected with those that have always held a special place in my heart from day one, two, three, etc. I have started to explore again, as I did as a noob, trying to see things with fresh eyes. I have taken time to "drop in" on groups of people that I've never known before and made friendships anew. I have looked for the old things and found new things in their places to admire and enjoy. I have taken "breaks" to persue other interests on and offline.

I hope that you will reconnect and find again new and interesting things that will keep you with us in the community. Although we have not spent much time ingame other than a passing hello, I hope that you will rekindle the true love for SL you've always had and you may even look me up one day in passing for a simple chat.

Peace be with you, David Valentino. You are a special part of SL and may you never stray from the fold for long.

With honesty and admiration,

Trinity Serpentine

aww David,

I hate to see you fade, always a joy to see you.

I remember the night we first met. Four of us on a roof playing truth or dare LOL
By the time I had to leave, the roof was full of ppl and the fun was going strong.

Those are the times I remind myself of when the glow dims.

I know how it is when you start burning out, I've been there myself. What usually brings me back is finding a new direction and something totally different to focus on.

I hope to see you back soon. And know that there will be many open arms when you get back.

*Hugs*
P

What brings me back? All the things I haven't done.. all the things I'm not sure CAN be done, but I wanna try.

Just as it's ultimately me that drives me away, it's also me that brings me back. I'm sure the medium (building, scripting, socializing) is different - but the drive is still the same.. creation.. 'wouldn't it be cool if.....'

When I'm off the game is when nothing really inspires me - when I'm on the game I wake up in the middle of the night unable to sleep till I try a new idea.

Sorta like Ice Cream... I love ice cream, but I couldn't eat it 24/7 forever...

Siggy.

It's funny, I have found myself in the same situation lately. Over the past few months, I have spent less and less time in SL. I spend more time developing stuff for SL than I actually spend in Sl these days. When I am in SL, I find I am often anxious to go do other things off of SL. On the contrary, I can stay in World of Warcraft for 8 hours at a time (omg did I say that out loud? ), but for some reason SL is a chore.

One thing I have found it is actually the little things in SL right now that I enjoy the most. I am afraid to admit it, but I am loving my little bunny avatar. Just watching it waddle around makes me happy in a n odd way. So does the little boat I boat for it lol. I suppose I will get bored and move on to something else, but it does not take much at least to entertain me.

SL is a buffet of riches, and sometimes honestly you can just get overfull and lose your appetite. I have been burnt out before, and have taken a break and come back. The SL I fell in love with is still there - I just have to spend some time, regroup, and reconnect with it in new ways. Maybe do something crazy like close all my animation stores and make tiny furniture. Who knows

I'm with you. 10.5 months after I first joined SL, I'm nearly out of steam.

I have projects that I'd like to do, but it's so hard to find the help to do them. Stuff I started, but can't find the energy to finish.

But, I think I'm on my way out of my slump. I recently joined a really cool group of like-minded people and have now gotten my hands dirty helping to flesh out a pretty big build. Nothing commercial right now, just fun and fancy. Still supporting my products, still developing new ones.

Eh, but I hear your malaise. The world has gotten so huge since I joined. I can't imagine what the change is like for the folks with 2+ years on the grid.

Funny, you have driven me away too

Actually I didn't see your stores listed in the "Find" menu when looking for poses Christiano. Long time no see.

But like Tina Turner you just keep comin back for more... (notes new store location)

C'mon baby.. I only does it coz you drive me so crazy.. you know I loves you...

I've been kind of burning out too.

*

I truly wonder if this is all due to the fact that there has been -- undeniably -- a change in the mood regarding Second Life.

You see, I am not that old, and I have heard stories about how SL used to be like a small town and all that. Nowadays you can go for ages without seeing a familiar face.

When I joined, everyone was so excited about Second Life. There weren't enough good things to say about it. People would go on and on about its wonderful possibilities. I got caught up in the excitement. I still think it's a wonderful idea.

I do not like pointing fingers at someone.

But there is someone. Someone who has dedicated their entire SL existence to dividing the Second Life community, someone who has brought upon us irreparable damage. Now that it's here, what are we to do?

Why are we less inclined to meet new people?

Why are we less inclined to show off our neat builds and neat clothing?

Why are there less events dedicated to helping and teaching newbies? Why are there more complaints about dumb stuff? Why are we more quick to point a finger at someone? And why can't we move on, ignore the bad seeds, and try to repair our society and community as a whole?

Nobody cares anymore, that's why. The only people who care enough seem bent on destroying any sense of community we might have once had. YES -- I agree that Second Life can be anything you want it to be. But once you're done creating your own world, what then? What better way to enjoy your world than to show it off to other people? Isn't that partly why you joined the damn game and why you pay large amounts of money to play it?

We've become complacent, folks, and that's why we're not passionate about the game anymore. Your mileage may vary. But isn't it odd that so many people feel the same way at the same time?

i hear this loud and clear. i am suffering these same symptoms.

i can't list accomplishments like you can. i have just sort of managed to be almost adequate at being a social player. the world has gotten so big i am lost in it.
i ponder just not logging in any more every day. well, i did win the forums.

marilyn

First dibs on Gallinas land!

There's something so gratifying about the tiny creature avatars. I see them scampering about and I have to smile stupidly. Maybe I should go and buy one.

I currently have several projects I am supposed to be working on in SL but I just can't make myself stay logged in more than 60 minutes at a time and 30 minutes is hard on most days. SL used to fill a certain void that I had with my last job, and now that I no longer have that job, I no longer have that void that needs to be filled. I love SL, but when you take on too many projects in SL and your time in SL seems like slow torture, it is time to step back. I am taking a break. I spend my time in games where I can kill things and stripping paint in my dining room. One day soon, hopefully my passion for SL will return

LOL! I have to admit that my squirrel Av gives me the giggles. I made buck teeth for him. And bout a lovely formal dinner outfit. Now i just need to grab some nuts!

I am playing SWG of all things again. New combat system, still beautiful, but it's just a grind with no one I know to group with.

I see all the possibilitiews of SL. I admire LL very much but at the same time rebel against some of their decisions.

I intended to go down to SF for the informal gethering, and still may, but I am so anti-corporate, that I don't want to bring that part with me.

The best feelings I've ever had in SL were helping folks, for no reason other than to help them, and to accomplish something, even if simple, that make folks happy. But maybe that's a reason too these days. I'm outgunned and under qualified?