Lack of enthusiasm. Again.

[Dentonboy]

Just wanted to put this out there, as it is something I am going through, and others might be too.

 

I turned down the opportunity to skirmish last week, which would've been my first since last summer (which was in itself the first in six months) as I have completely lost the enthusiasm to play.

 

The thought of testing batteries after so long, hoping magazines are still gas tight and hauling it all out of the loft, let alone the prospect of potentially playing alongside players who become aggressive or argumentative just killed any desire to do this again.

 

I know I have felt similar in the past, and have got through it and played again, but I feel now that I am mentally tallying up my kit in prices and thinking what it would all fund.

[PopRocket123]

Maybe try going back to basics. Take the bare minimum kit, go with a few friends and just strip it back to the core experience. 

[heroshark]

It's common to most open skirmish sites and big games to some degree. I find small more personable games are often better like forum gatherings and the more niche games people organise. I haven't been to one yet but I'm booked in for the next western game at fireball for that very reason.

[Speedbird_666]

Same boat really. Not had any desire to play this year.

 

Tinkering, buying and making (since buying a 3D printer), yes. Hauling my fat arse over to an Airsoft site...nope.

 

It's my two boys (16 and 13) that make me go, and it's fine when I get there and actually play TBH, but I'm the one who preps all their kit, fills their mags, charges their batteries, sets their guns up etc. so it's a triple whammy of ball ache for me when I get to site.

 

 

 

 

[Lozart]

17 minutes ago, Dentonboy said:

Just wanted to put this out there, as it is something I am going through, and others might be too.

 

I turned down the opportunity to skirmish last week, which would've been my first since last summer (which was in itself the first in six months) as I have completely lost the enthusiasm to play.

 

The thought of testing batteries after so long, hoping magazines are still gas tight and hauling it all out of the loft, let alone the prospect of potentially playing alongside players who become aggressive or argumentative just killed any desire to do this again.

 

I know I have felt similar in the past, and have got through it and played again, but I feel now that I am mentally tallying up my kit in prices and thinking what it would all fund.

 

 

Is it just the airsoft or is something else driving this? I played on Sunday and to be brutally honest, Saturday night I just wasn't feeling it. Work is stressful right now, my Dad has dementia and has been getting worse, my new permanent working from home is driving me up the wall and it's all contributing to an overall lack of motivation. I went though with three good friends and a couple more of their regular crowd and had a blast. Different site for me, different bunch of faces, it can work wonders!

 

Nobody says you HAVE to play until you drop or how often you have to do it. You don't need to justify the money you've already spent as long as it isn't holding you back (NEVER go into debt just to play toy soldiers). 

 

Maybe you just need to find a different site or a new bunch of people with a similar mindset. God knows that I have fallen out of love with many a site thanks to one bad day but going back with a bunch of like minded mates has changed all that. At least when you get that one argumentative prick you can walk away and go chat with your buddies. Of course, if your buddies are the argumentative pricks...you may need to get new buddies.

 

 

[Rogerborg]

Same with most hobbies, really, and we're spoiled for choice in the decadent West.

 

16 minutes ago, PopRocket123 said:

Maybe try going back to basics. Take the bare minimum kit, go with a few friends and just strip it back to the core experience. 

 

I'd go with that.  Start flogging off what you don't need, but don't sell right out.  Try a different site, a pistol-and-shotgun only day, do a hoodie-high-cap day, something to give you a different perspective.

 

But I wouldn't force yourself to go, and especially I wouldn't go for anybody else's sake: that's what made me give up on historic re-enactment, when it became more about "supporting the group" than a pleasant day playing make believe.  I don't do group motorcycle rides any more for the same reason.

[Jacob Wright]

24 minutes ago, PopRocket123 said:

Maybe try going back to basics. Take the bare minimum kit, go with a few friends and just strip it back to the core experience. 

This. I felt the same way a few years back, so forgot all the Gucci kit abs guns, and started going with some mates who just wanted to have a decent day out. Haven’t looked back since!

[Dentonboy]

11 minutes ago, Lozart said:

 

 

Is it just the airsoft or is something else driving this? I played on Sunday and to be brutally honest, Saturday night I just wasn't feeling it. Work is stressful right now, my Dad has dementia and has been getting worse, my new permanent working from home is driving me up the wall and it's all contributing to an overall lack of motivation. I went though with three good friends and a couple more of their regular crowd and had a blast. Different site for me, different bunch of faces, it can work wonders!

 

Nobody says you HAVE to play until you drop or how often you have to do it. You don't need to justify the money you've already spent as long as it isn't holding you back (NEVER go into debt just to play toy soldiers). 

 

Maybe you just need to find a different site or a new bunch of people with a similar mindset. God knows that I have fallen out of love with many a site thanks to one bad day but going back with a bunch of like minded mates has changed all that. At least when you get that one argumentative prick you can walk away and go chat with your buddies. Of course, if your buddies are the argumentative pricks...you may need to get new buddies.

 

 

 

I don't think the current climate of a pandemic has helped. I think it is more the concern that we are playing with toys, they can break, and it can be expensive to fix doesn't help my thinking. I have started to collect pieces that I want to use but don't want to break - TM Uzi, TM PSG-1 for example - and while I am not in debt and can afford to have this stuff in my loft, knowing that it is unlikely to depreciate, I do think at any moment one law change could render them all as wall hangers and the hobby could go. Which is reason enough to play whilst I can, I know...I know...

[Lozart]

3 minutes ago, Dentonboy said:

 

I don't think the current climate of a pandemic has helped. I think it is more the concern that we are playing with toys, they can break, and it can be expensive to fix doesn't help my thinking. I have started to collect pieces that I want to use but don't want to break - TM Uzi, TM PSG-1 for example - and while I am not in debt and can afford to have this stuff in my loft, knowing that it is unlikely to depreciate, I do think at any moment one law change could render them all as wall hangers and the hobby could go. Which is reason enough to play whilst I can, I know...I know...

 

Running costs are a concern for any past time worth doing. If you're buying stuff because you want them and can afford them, that's fine. If you don't want to run them for fear of breaking them, that's fine too (just look at Negative Airsofts collection for a good illustration of that!). Forget about the law changing though, that's out of your control. Deal with it if it happens, don't fret about it now.

 

Maybe pick up a couple of reasonably cheap guns and run about with them so you don't worry about them breaking? Thing is though, it's just stuff at the end of the day. I have a bunch of guitars, some of which are quite expensive now. One of them is a US Gibson Explorer that I've had for 30 years. It's been gigged, it has dings and scratches all over it and if it breaks it'll be expensive to fix but is it hanging on a wall or sat in a case? No, because it was made to be used. Same with those airsoft toys, unless you buy one that is specifically designed to be a wall hanger, go use it. Get some joy from pwning noobs with that creaky as fuck PSG-1, soak up the admiration of all around as you majestically light up a bunch of folks with the Uzi (with obligatory Austrian accent while doing it). If you have a gun that works reliably and you just prefer the ergonomics of, use that and let the others sit on the wall, it just doesn't matter!

 

And if you're ever around the north Hampshire kind of area, give me a shout and come airsofting with us. We take very little too seriously!

[GeorgePlaysAirsoft]

airsoft is so much bigger and better then one's local site. quite simply get out more! disrupt your homeostatis, raise the bar and jump over it. im sure you'll get the spark back. life is too short to think 'what if'. its too short to do the same old same old too. having fun is hard work. any dickhead can load up a game, stick the tv on or get a round in.  

 

bit cringe but i agree with mr damon here: 

edit to explain myself:

"This type of impatience is usually accompanied by the Number 1 Error as well. It is due to the failure to appreciate the fundamental process by which strength accumulates. Stress is that which disrupts homeostasis – the current level of physiological adaptation. Stress is a change in an organism’s environment sufficient to cause the organism to adapt to the new requirements imposed by the change. Whether it is a mosquito population adapting to an insecticide or a weightlifter adapting to 5 pounds added to last week’s deadlift, adaptation is the process we manipulate in order to get stronger."

Edited August 17, 2021 by GeorgePlaysAirsoft

[Cr0-Magnon]

For me airsoft is like going on holiday. Yes it can severely dent the bank balance, yes it's can be an arse ache to get all your stuff sorted (although now I just stick some music on, have a beer and do it at a leisurely pace a good few days before). Then you need to get up early and load the car etc. However most of the time I enjoy the destination, so feel it's worth pushing through all the other crap. 

I can then play a half-day and be home for lunch, already feeling like I've done something with my day. Whereas otherwise I'd still be scratching my arse on the sofa.

[Dentonboy]

36 minutes ago, Lozart said:

 

Running costs are a concern for any past time worth doing. If you're buying stuff because you want them and can afford them, that's fine. If you don't want to run them for fear of breaking them, that's fine too (just look at Negative Airsofts collection for a good illustration of that!). Forget about the law changing though, that's out of your control. Deal with it if it happens, don't fret about it now.

 

Maybe pick up a couple of reasonably cheap guns and run about with them so you don't worry about them breaking? Thing is though, it's just stuff at the end of the day. I have a bunch of guitars, some of which are quite expensive now. One of them is a US Gibson Explorer that I've had for 30 years. It's been gigged, it has dings and scratches all over it and if it breaks it'll be expensive to fix but is it hanging on a wall or sat in a case? No, because it was made to be used. Same with those airsoft toys, unless you buy one that is specifically designed to be a wall hanger, go use it. Get some joy from pwning noobs with that creaky as fuck PSG-1, soak up the admiration of all around as you majestically light up a bunch of folks with the Uzi (with obligatory Austrian accent while doing it). If you have a gun that works reliably and you just prefer the ergonomics of, use that and let the others sit on the wall, it just doesn't matter!

 

And if you're ever around the north Hampshire kind of area, give me a shout and come airsofting with us. We take very little too seriously!

Cheers pal. Appreciate the invite.

[Wavey_Gravey]

Do you go to game days on your own?

 

I found going it alone was ok, I could act all tacticool and not worry about anybody ‘not playing along’.

 

Since going with some mates it’s more relaxed, it can be a laugh or as competitive as you feel on the day.

 

I totally understand why agro players are mentioned, nothing ruins a day quicker than a hothead.

[Dentonboy]

28 minutes ago, Wavey_Gravey said:

Do you go to game days on your own?

 

I found going it alone was ok, I could act all tacticool and not worry about anybody ‘not playing along’.

 

Since going with some mates it’s more relaxed, it can be a laugh or as competitive as you feel on the day.

 

I totally understand why agro players are mentioned, nothing ruins a day quicker than a hothead.

 

Sometimes with friends, sometimes on my own. I know going helps my physical and mental health, but at the moment, I have no real desire to do it again. It is good to hear other people have felt likewise.

[Adolf Hamster]

I get the feeling.

 

haven't been in months now and it might not have escaped the notice of some that i'm going through the process of flogging gear.

 

originally i'd planned to just drop down to one gun, one rig etc, the bare minimum. but even changed my mind about that and everything's going on the list.

 

 

i think what killed it for me was coming back after lockdown and running into the same old shit, the non hit takers, the chrono dodgers, the aggressive players and thought to myself "why am i doing this?", it's never going to change, no site is immune, it's just human nature.

 

it's such a lottery, at least for the sites i have access to, as to whether or not a game is going to be enjoyable. you get a good crowd on a good day it's an amazing experience but it doesn't take many assholes to ruin things.

 

which ultimately means you can't guarantee that if you've had a shit week at work, or whatever that going pewing is going to lift your spirits or push them further down.

 

 

ofc i haven't figured out what i'm gonna do instead, airsoft did strike a beautiful balance as a hobby where kit isn't the hardest to store and transport (compared to say a car or a boat), is affordable (again, compared to say buying a classic car), and combines social, exercise, and nerdy tinkering together (compared to say rc models which round here is pretty much a solo endeavour).

[ImTriggerHappy]

I reckon this will be a common situation for a lot of people as the covid situation calms down. After over a year of less rushing around to do stuff and just concentrating on the core part of life I think lots of us have become apathetic to all the stuff we surrounded ourselves with before. I was an anti social bastard before but I have even less will to go out and put up with life's bullshit now.  Kind of realised all the rushing blurred the rest of life too much and I am enjoying concentrating on the important bits again like family and sleep.

 

I would guess for most the laziness will wear off but some will stick with the comfy insular slower pace as they will have learnt to enjoy actually stopping for 5 minutes.

[Stratton Oakmont]

Take up Ukpsa action air 

 

 

[Adolf Hamster]

59 minutes ago, ImTriggerHappy said:

I reckon this will be a common situation for a lot of people as the covid situation calms down. After over a year of less rushing around to do stuff and just concentrating on the core part of life I think lots of us have become apathetic to all the stuff we surrounded ourselves with before. I was an anti social bastard before but I have even less will to go out and put up with life's bullshit now.  Kind of realised all the rushing blurred the rest of life too much and I am enjoying concentrating on the important bits again like family and sleep.

 

an accurate summation.

 

certainly for me i think it was the catalyst that set everything going.

 

ofc doesn't help that life is getting rather fluid at the moment, work is getting very heavy at the minute and the prospect of having to move for work is coming up, so having some extra pennies in the bank and less stuff to worry about is reassuring.

 

maybe once the chaos subsides i'll come back, or maybe i'll move on to pastures new.

[Sneaky]

I love going airsofting but sometimes I go through that phase. I would ramp up the warhammering or get back to finishing some games on the Xbox.

[Encore]

Everyone goes through this regardless of hobby I believe. I find with this kind of feeling, there are two categories: 1) Temporary and 2) Permanent. 

 

Temporary

This is the most common, in my opinion. Eventually you just feel tired, bored, burned out, etc and that all leads to a lack of motivation to take part in a hobby you once really enjoyed. Regardless of the cause, it usually best to take a step back and see if a break is all you need, no matter how long. Whether you sell your gear or hang on to it in the mean time is a personal choice. What usually ends in regret is selling your gear because you want the cash for something else that isn't necessary. Duration of this phase can vary wildly - just take it a day at a time would be my advice here. 

 

 

Permanent

This category is one you'll only know you're in with hindsight, either you're taking that break an realize you have zero desire to ever try the hobby again or you've sold up and something makes you remember the former hobby and you know you're never going back in that moment. I'm made this realisation with gaming a few years back. I used to be an avid gamer, could spend all day every day playing. Especially competitive games but I just don't care for it anymore. At least not in the way I once did, now I play single player RPG games, not for the game but for the stories. Which considering the state of gaming is far and few between these days.

 

I know I'm trending towards no longer gaming at all but I'm comfortable in the knowledge that I just find different things take my interest now. Its not something external to the hobby bringing me down like depression or stress. Usually when its an outside factor, you need to resolve that issue before you start throwing stuff out because once it passes you'll just regret your clouded decision.

 

Either way, there's nothing wrong with feeling like this unless it some outside factor causing it. Time changes everything and everyone, and your interest and hobbies are no different. Take a step back and see if you just need to let it sit until the spark comes back or if something external is smothering that spark that needs addressing.  Most importantly, remember that your friends won't change because of this. Even if what initially started the friendship was a common hobby like airsoft. Those mates will still be down for going to the pub or whatever alternative works for you to socialise and hangout. Those who do disappear were never your friend to begin with but a hobby based colleague. You'd chat around the table in the safe area and rush objectives together like work colleagues on a break or working on a project together but once you move to a new job, you don't talk to them anymore.

[Druid799]

This sounds so much like me at the moment, after the fiasco of being banned from my ‘home’ site I really felt like binning the whole thing for good but luckily I’ve got a couple of amazing friends I’ve made through the game and they’ve kept my head above the stormy waters of giving up(they both said off their own backs even after I said they should still play there due to the ease of getting there they’ll never go back to black ops after the way I’ve been treated , one even quoted the musketeers  “one for all and all for one” at me ! Proper friends) 

any whoo we tried out ‘Spartan woodland’ on Sunday having never been there before nice site(pine woodland) , friendly staff really good gameplay ‘BUT’ you have to use their own bio ammo (not a problem) only thing is it’s pale brown and you can’t see it for shit in the gloom of the woods ! So you really don’t know where your rounds are going no matter how good your sights are dialed in . Now point of this ramble is I ditched all my specific loadouts and matching guns and just took a couple of different AK’s and a few high-caps and even though I think I only got three kills the whole day I did still enjoy the day to an extent simply for running ‘ultra’ light by my standards . So I’d say give it a try before you bail completely .👍

[MiK]

I actually thought about selling up after foobarring my shoulder but the wife actually talked me out of it “You might hurt now but who knows next year all is fixed and you’ll miss it and I won’t let you spend all that money a second time!!” That kinda made my mind up 

[Shamal]

Haha. See they do sometimes talk sense 😆

[Guest Mr. No_Face]

8 hours ago, heroshark said:

It's common to most open skirmish sites and big games to some degree. I find small more personable games are often better like forum gatherings and the more niche games people organise. I haven't been to one yet but I'm booked in for the next western game at fireball for that very reason.

 

This. I often attend smaller games, including even private 5 on 5 speedQB games. Some times I just can't be arsed to get up for a day's skirmish and prefer airsoft in smaller doses. Hell even bunker 51 is sometimes an option for a sneaky 1-2 hour airsoft session to get that quick fix.

 

[Druid799]

55 minutes ago, MiK said:

I actually thought about selling up after foobarring my shoulder but the wife actually talked me out of it “You might hurt now but who knows next year all is fixed and you’ll miss it and I won’t let you spend all that money a second time!!” That kinda made my mind up 

Sorry my friend but this simple comment shows your well and truly f**ked mate ! 😱😱😱If the mrs is telling you to hang on to your kit ‘just in case’ and not sell it all off for beer tokens that she can then purloin of you in the first place then yea she’s got something even bigger planned for your poor old bones . ☠️⚰️☠️