Look, many of us have been there. Many of us have stared down a huge backlog and felt an apathetic, motivationless void. Many of us have burned ourselves out in loot shooters and ultra long RPGs. Many of us have failed to rekindle the flames of nostalgia and found modern offerings to be lacking substance, unable to move us. Many of us have wondered why we struggle to find joy in what was once a haven of escapism.

I see so many posts here of broken hearted individuals wondering what is wrong with them. Why can't I have fun playing games anymore? What am I doing wrong?

The answer? Nothing. You are doing nothing wrong.

Sometimes things change. Sometimes hobbies you used to love just grow cold in your heart for no reason at all except the passage of time and the ever shifting motivations and priorities as one grows older. It happens.

If this has happened to you and gaming is no longer what it used to be, if you stopped having fun and gaming now feels like an obligation, if you're grinding out games not because they bring you joy but because you feel like you owe it to yourself to finish what you started or whatever...

Just stop playing. Put the controller away for a while, find something that you do enjoy and pursue it. There are many more things in life than just video games, many far more important. Talk to friends you haven't talked to in a while, visit your grandparents, go experience the beauty of nature, read some books, exercise, whatever. Just put gaming on hold for a while. Because you aren't doing yourself any favors by forcing yourself to play.

And one more thing that I think is hugely important: if you are suddenly finding that many of the things in your life that once brought you joy aren't bringing you joy anymore, and that everything feels apathetic and motivation has left you? You might be struggling with depression, and you should seek help. Take it from someone who has lived in denial a long, long time... If it feels like it is crippling depression? It probably is. Get help. Don't wait. Don't put it off. Don't just accept it as a fact of life. Don't try and face it on your own.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. I hope you all continue to find joy in your hobbies and that these bouts of apathy towards gaming are temporary. It's a great hobby that can be satisfying in ways that no other medium can. But sometimes it's worth stepping away from the controller for a bit, ya know? Get some perspective, remind yourself that life is more than escapism.

If anyone here just needs someone to talk to, someone to listen, I'm here. PM me.

Incredibly Late Edit: Thank y'all so much for my first Reddit golds and all the support!