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Made in sk
Neophyte Undergoing Surgeries




Slovakia

I think anyone can agree that sometimes, we feel burned out, or don´t want to continue in our hobby.
The classics are "i don´t want to paint right now" and " i have no time right now" or more usual " i can spend my time better".

The new rules are out, yet you don´t feel the spirit of it. Your precious army was nerfed, or you really, REALLY hate the new design of the models.

Some people can not even tell right away as to WHY they don´t want to continue. You would, like right now, but once you have the time, you spend it on something else.
Or you really hate that one dude that pops up in your gaming group and is just a pain in the ass, and kills your motivation.

So, what should you do ?

First of all, don´t pressure it. Do not FORCE yourself into this hobby. The results will be just as you, forced. And don´t say things like i need to paint this, and i need to go there. You do not need to do anything mate.This is something you love, and you do to relax.

Take some time off. Play a few games on your computer that you have purchased in the horrible steam sale, fix your car that carries you to work, spend your free time with your wife/husband/friend and go see that cool new movie in the cinemas, or read the fluff for your army to get into the spirit.

Motivation and inspiration comes from all sides, and will come on its own.

After two years of building my Salamanders Army, i had boxes at home, un-opened and though "hell i will never finish any of this crap". And i have yet to finish it. I did not even bother to look into them. I had to force myself to join a game once in a while, so i will not be left out. Still, the hobby felt more like work and less like leisure.

So how did i recover from this ?

Easy. I spent my time with my lovely girlfriend, reading books playing games and doing anything and everything. I was not even thinking about this whole hobby.
Then, on one evening, i was like "hey that Rhino could really get a paint-job". For info - the Rhino was built up, glued together, and i had it on my desk for a solid 5 months.

So, i took out my Airbrush, and did one hell of a paint-job. Not the best, i mean i do only a tabletop standard, but i was super happy with my work. I showed it to my GF, and she encouraged me to continue. Like do some fine detail work there and what not. So, after nearly half a year i have finally completed a model. And i am hyped for the new edition which i have yet to play, and the models that are lying around on my desk.

So for all you guys who lack motivation, and are burned out - take some time off. Do something else. Enjoy life and all the small things. Read the book Salamander by Nick Kyme, its really good. And do everything you can outside of the hobby.

When my buddy is demotivated to work on his models, he makes terrain for our club. That is a option too. Or even start a new army, to breath fresh air into the whole mix.

So, if i have helped just one person reading this crap, i am super glad.

Leave your tips down here for the community. What do you do, when the Motivation is gone, and you feel like gak ? Let me know, i am curious as a man building plastic soldiers can be.

With fire and flame,
Wrath of Vulkan 
   
Made in gb
The Last Chancer Who Survived




United Kingdom

Good points. Sometimes you can't just force the H-H-H-Hobby to happen. It's better to just let it come along of its own accord, like any good work of art.

Currently "midway" through painting some WG. I like the unit on the TT, but I hate making the things. It's just so... Bleh. But I've solved what I'm going to do with it and ran out of motivation at that.

Just waiting until I can be arsed to finish them.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/20 08:30:48


 
   
Made in de
Experienced Maneater






I also struggle with motivation.
I have given up on working on a single project and finishing it. Because that's not going to happen anytime soon or, as you said, it feels forced.
So now I have a lot of different stuff at home, in various states and for different armies/systems.

The new Primaris had me pretty hyped and I started bulding them. It did become a chore after a few nights of only a few hours working on them. Kids were restless at night, job burned me out, etc.
My wife and I watched TV three nights, yesterday I packed the unfinished sprues to one side, fixed unprimed parts of my Relicblade models and tried a crackling colour for cracked desert bases for the Primaris.
Now, we'll see if I actually start painting the models or the base tonight, or maybe I switch to a different stage of a different project again.

This may not be the best approach to finish a large Warhammer army, but it keeps the fun and motivation alive for me.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/20 08:35:42


   
Made in sk
Neophyte Undergoing Surgeries




Slovakia

Thank you guys for the reply !

I do switch out my projects too, from fairly easy models like the Rhino, to more complex models or conversions i am planning to do.

I am working on a idea in regards to a Deathwatch army, with Shoulder Pads and bitz from players from around the world. Quite a big plan, a not a cheap one too.
My job will not pay for all my ideas that i have, so i guess i will stomp that into the ground, to be honest. 40K ain´t cheap and my funds are quite limited.

But maybe, someday, when i win the lottery, i may give it a shot. For now, the models are way too expensive, when i need to take care of my family. And not to mention paying people fees for sending me some bitz. Would be a cool army, sure, but hell that ain´t happening any time soon, if ever Sure i am not the first one to come up with a international deathwatch army, but yeah. still. i kinda dig that.

So, there is the opposite - motivation, but lack of bucks. Brings me back to being a student...


With fire and flame,
Wrath of Vulkan 
   
Made in us
Terminator with Assault Cannon





40k and GW in general is terrible.

Not worth the motivation.
   
Made in gb
The Last Chancer Who Survived




United Kingdom

 Traditio wrote:
40k and GW in general is terrible.

Not worth the motivation.
Hurray for the most useless post on Dakka!

"Your hobby is bad and you should feel bad. Which is why I stick around GW-themed forums. To make you all feel guilty for letting me spend my pocket money."
   
Made in no
Longtime Dakkanaut






Normaly it is not the game that burns me out unless there are new dex/core rules but the actual painting.

I only do basic tabletop quality so for now i am looking for models that looks good using only basecoat and then washes/glazes/drybrush.
However i have a mutch higer spirit for skirmish games as they usualy dont require duplicate models or large number of models. i rather do a good job on 1 single model then tabeltop on 10+.

I tryed airbrush in the past to speed up my painting but i cant work whit double action(too many settings) and i dont know if single action brushes are even usable whit a compressor.
But i have a good feeling that if i could get airbrush to work atleast i could get a little bit more joy from painting.
it is just figuring out how to get it to work for me........

I can sit 4H non stop assembly or convert, but i can barly sit 10 min to paint....

Allso it realy dont help me to have a lot of boxes for future projects laying around.
Now i buy 1 box and set a personal requirment that i will NOT buy a new box before im done painting the stuff inside box nr 1.

This approach realy helped my aos army to get going.(and it helps my wallet too =P)

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/20 11:20:03


darkswordminiatures.com
gamersgrass.com
Collects: Wild West Exodus, SW Armada/Legion. Adeptus Titanicus, Dust1947. 
   
Made in de
Longtime Dakkanaut





You feel demotivated because of endless rows of unpainted minis on your desk? There is an easy solution to your problem: Outsmart yourself.

Instead of piling on a lot of sprues on your desk, you should just place five minis on your table. Heaps of troopers to be painted is an intimidating prospect. But a couple of grey guys should be possible to paint.
There is also the aspect of your age that influences your painting morale. I could paint a lot of stuff twenty years ago in a short amount of time. But nowadays I have to force myself to paint stuff.
Another factor are upcoming battles. They function as a deadline to get your troopers painted. Without a gaming community you might become less inclined to pick up the brush.
   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User





 Traditio wrote:
40k and GW in general is terrible.

Not worth the motivation.


Just go away already.
   
Made in gb
The Last Chancer Who Survived




United Kingdom

 Suicidal.Simian wrote:
 Traditio wrote:
40k and GW in general is terrible.

Not worth the motivation.


Just go away already.
I think he got another ban this morning after 2 or 3 threadlocks.
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






Springfield, VA

 Traditio wrote:
40k and GW in general is terrible.

Not worth the motivation.


   
Made in us
Horrific Howling Banshee






 Selym wrote:
 Suicidal.Simian wrote:
 Traditio wrote:
40k and GW in general is terrible.

Not worth the motivation.


Just go away already.
I think he got another ban this morning after 2 or 3 threadlocks.


More than likely. No idea how he's not permabanned yet. My hypothesis is that almost everyone has 'ignored' him at this point. Personally, I reveiw how many IQ points I'd like to lose today before clicking the "Ignored post by tradtio" button.

 Badablack wrote:
40k starts with the question, “Who is worse, Satan or the Nazis?” And goes from there. It’s a big colorful ball pit full of horrible people screaming and shooting each other.
PenitentJake wrote:
It doesn't matter if you're not dominating the game; if you have 3-4 x as many models and options than the rest of us and you're still getting new kits, we're still gonna rip on the faction. If I had 100 + Drukhari kits all in plastic to choose from, or 100 + Sisters kits, I think I'd be more likely to be receptive to Space Marine player's complaints about anything.
chromedog wrote:From the Fuggly DEldar of the time, before they let Jes goodwin have his good and proper way with the entire faction design.
HoundsofDemos wrote:
The game doesn't need super space marines, it needs more variety.
I don't want the best army, just one that isn't an exercise in picking up my models by turn 3.

 
   
Made in gb
The Last Chancer Who Survived




United Kingdom

I almost always feed a troll, once identified. I just have too much fun. I locate the troll, search his posts from his profile, and then tail him around the forum until either he gives up or I've caused enough of a ruckuss to get him banned temporarily.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/20 20:08:17


 
   
Made in gb
Member of a Lodge? I Can't Say






I do exactly as you have suggested when I'm not feeling it; I play computer games, watch some TV, or work on a different project. I eventually get back into whatever I was originally working on. It's like a cycle of projects (I currently have 6 projects on the go)

“Because we couldn’t be trusted. The Emperor needed a weapon that would never obey its own desires before those of the Imperium. He needed a weapon that would never bite the hand that feeds. The World Eaters were not that weapon. We’ve all drawn blades purely for the sake of shedding blood, and we’ve all felt the exultation of winning a war that never even needed to happen. We are not the tame, reliable pets that the Emperor wanted. The Wolves obey, when we would not. The Wolves can be trusted, when we never could. They have a discipline we lack, because their passions are not aflame with the Butcher’s Nails buzzing in the back of their skulls.
The Wolves will always come to heel when called. In that regard, it is a mystery why they name themselves wolves. They are tame, collared by the Emperor, obeying his every whim. But a wolf doesn’t behave that way. Only a dog does.
That is why we are the Eaters of Worlds, and the War Hounds no longer."
– Eighth Captain, Khârn 
   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut





UK

I've got Splatoon tomorrow, that will help burn off fatigue
.
I mean it's still painting, but it's fun painting!

YMDC = nightmare 
   
Made in ca
Longtime Dakkanaut





I'm feeling burned out for the first time in two and a half years. I took my just weeks ago complete Ta'unar to my game this past weekend and it got accidentally dropped on the floor and smashed but some of my other army got taken out with it.

My taunar took me two and a half weeks of painting to get done over 6 months and it was almost lost. Thankfully I magnetized it. Still the shock tot he system has burned me out on 40k for now.

The Ta'unar was recovered with only one permanent small scratch. I still need to do some painting to fix it.

Only two drones were unrecoverable.
   
Made in us
Screaming Shining Spear





USA

I am a deadline player myself. I wont use unpainted models 90% of the time.

So I Paint to get ready for a tournament or one of my big weekend games. I half built my Exodite army in 2 weeks, painted my 6 wave serpents from 2001, custom built a deathwind droppod and regular droppod between weekends, finished my Eldar Destroyer Knight Titan, etc etc.

Not everyone is like that. Procrastinators can be

Years ago I would spend my breaks to paint squads of 5 or 10 for my PDF and Dark Eldar armies. I would complete a squad in a week and by the fall tournaments I would reveal a new army. I never had enough motivation to do that to my elder since I have 75% painted and just chose the lazy way and use my painted pieces.

 koooaei wrote:
We are rolling so many dice to have less time to realise that there is not much else to the game other than rolling so many dice.
 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut




I barely put together most of my Necron models due to work killing me, and 7th being a drag.

However, with the news of the new Space Marine codex, I found motivation to start getting my MK. III army started. HQ is most important to me, of course, because I can always acquire regular Marines for games. However your own commanders are always a cool thing.
Right now I'm planning my own Asterion using a Power Armor guy with "void hardened armor" that drops from the sky, and I plan to somehow make a Melta part of a Combi Weapon look nice on a Grey Knight spear. I still haven't found an ideal shield or helmet yet either, but I'm actually LOOKING is the important thing now.

CaptainStabby wrote:
If Tyberos falls and needs to catch himself it's because the ground needed killing.

 jy2 wrote:
BTW, I can't wait to run Double-D-thirsters! Man, just thinking about it gets me Khorney.

 vipoid wrote:
Indeed - what sort of bastard would want to use their codex?

 MarsNZ wrote:
ITT: SoB players upset that they're receiving the same condescending treatment that they've doled out in every CSM thread ever.
 
   
Made in us
Charing Cold One Knight





Sticksville, Texas

Shoot, I have been "burnt out" of GW games for years. After selling off all my stuff I am recently coming back to it. What got me motivated was collecting oddball models for my armies. One army is all Tallarn (except for Yarrick, I just love him too much), and the other is the whole 3rd Company of Blood Angels, like 90% made up of old metal Death Company models. It's been tons of fun building armies I always dreamed of collecting as a kid.

When I hit a slump in model building, I just put some battle reports on in the background while I do stuff. After selling few of those, shaving the mould lines off of every model no longer seems like a chore, and the excitement of finally playing a game of 8th kicks in. Or, I will go down to the local store on the 40k night and build models there. Hearing people play makes me want to join in so badly. Blurry picture of the progress made since I started building the BA recently!
[Thumb - 20170720_223953.jpg]

[Thumb - 20170720_184332.jpg]

   
Made in gb
Combat Jumping Rasyat




East of England

 Strg Alt wrote:
You feel demotivated because of endless rows of unpainted minis on your desk? There is an easy solution to your problem: Outsmart yourself.

Instead of piling on a lot of sprues on your desk, you should just place five minis on your table. Heaps of troopers to be painted is an intimidating prospect. But a couple of grey guys should be possible to paint.


This is exactly my strategy too. I also try and limit my purchases so that I never have more than four boxes sitting there making puppy eyes at me. Something feels right about starting from the sprue, and going right through to the matt varnish all in one go

This also means that if you want to field a unit, you have to get it to at least undercoated level.
   
Made in sk
Neophyte Undergoing Surgeries




Slovakia

Well my goal is to finish any models that i have left before i go on to the primaris marines.
So that means around 1000 points of marines that are left. Transports and Tanks mainly, which are my favorite to do.

I have most of the models assembled already, some undercoated, as i hate to play with grey models. I am one of those few who believe that painted models to better on the battleground then grey models. I know its purely luck but my throws are better on the painted ones, really. The emperor protects those who represent him the most i guess...

I totally agree with the statement that tournaments are a great deadline. I did complete two assault squads just for a small tournament, so i will have a fully painted army. The problem is - after almost 10 games in three days, i am quite down as to playing. To be honest i never played so many games in 2017 in total. I am more of a builder than player i guess.

Since i am not a veteran player and lack experience, i do get my ass kicked most of the time when playing. But the occasional win is more rewarding then anything else. I even placed fifth with a buddy of mine in a small tournament, so that is quite the win for me. Being in the middle ground fits me just fine. Not the best in a long shot, but not the worst either.

With the new codex and campaign incoming, i am looking forward to better times. Keeps me hyped.

Life and work and the real world do get in the way of the hobby itself. My work especially drags me down. I mean i love my job, and the company i work in, but sometimes i feel like i need more sleep, then work on models.

And sorry for my grammar, not a native speaker, i learned English via World of Warcraft. And yes, that is a horrible thing to say indeed. Not proud of myself

With fire and flame,
Wrath of Vulkan 
   
Made in gb
Tough-as-Nails Ork Boy





London



 Wrath_of_Vulkan wrote:
And sorry for my grammar, not a native speaker, i learned English via World of Warcraft. And yes, that is a horrible thing to say indeed. Not proud of myself


You've learnt a highly valued, difficult to master, transferable skill by enjoying a game... you're winning at life... Be proud. I've spent years spending money on lessons and dedicating huge amounts of time to be half as good at Italian as you are at English. =)

On topic though. After painting 3000pts of orks hordes and 1500 pts of blood angels as well as miniatures for some board games over 2 years I was burnt out around Feb this year. My painting was becoming more and more rushed due to my impatience and quality was slipping frustrating me even more. So I took a break for 2 months and I played video games, organised board game nights or read books. Last week the painting bug bit again and I'm about to finish a squad of death company, bought a toy dinosaur to convert to a squiggoth and I'm running a fluffy 40k campaign running through each of the rule book missions in order. Take break now and then and enjoy it =)
   
Made in is
Angered Reaver Arena Champion





I usually lose motivation when I feel like the miniatures are taking over my life. Currently I have GW boxes and miniatures littered across my office(it's a huge mess) and I am just: "Why do I bother? Is this the only thing to life?"

At these moments it is best to clean your desk, pack the models you don't foresee painting any time soon and just tidy up. Have just a few models to work on on your desk/shelf, but not so much that it clutters your desk or work area.

This will make it so that you don't feel overwhelmed and when you feel up to it again you can finish those handful of models you left on your desk.
   
Made in sk
Neophyte Undergoing Surgeries




Slovakia

Darn, so many responses ! I just love the warhammer community.

So i am not the only one who crash-and-burned indeed. We are on to something here guys.

I guess i will have to rewrite the original post in a few days, as it seems that we really cover all holes here.

Keep it coming guys, uncover some pressure and leave your frustration here. It can help other players and enthusiasts to figure out something we all have to face sometimes.

Paint for the Paint God, Sprues for the Sprue Throne !!

With fire and flame,
Wrath of Vulkan 
   
Made in au
Anti-Armour Swiss Guard






Newcastle, OZ

I saw it happen at my club time after time.

The kids were playing 40k 3-4 times a week, week-in and week-out. After 12 solid months of this, they were showing the signs of burn out (I know the signs, I've been there, too. ).

when it hits, take a break.
ANY hobby done for too long without a break will burn you out, just like a job will. I just change hobbies or do something else. Go bushwalking, cycling, anything else.
(When mine hit, I was in my mid 20s - but I didn't start gaming until my very late teens, so 7-8 years in) - I veered towards chasing women and going clubbing for a few years.
It just so happened, that quite a few of my gaming mates were also into the same music and clubs, so although I didn't game much, I still kept in touch.

Fortunately for them, this time coincided with their "coming of age" where booze, women and other non-gaming activities vie for their attention, and gaming usually loses out.

A handful came back to the hobby. Those that didn't, only ever gamed because their mates were in it - and when they stopped, they had no more reason to do so.

One got married, and his mrs didn't abide that daemon spawn gaming thing (she had him burn it all). The others found other hobbies that rewarded their "investment" more. One went into music, one into motorcycle racing.

I'm OVER 50 (and so far over everyone's BS, too).
Old enough to know better, young enough to not give a ****.

That is not dead which can eternal lie ...

... and yet, with strange aeons, even death may die.
 
   
Made in gb
[DCM]
Moustache-twirling Princeps





Gone-to-ground in the craters of Coventry

I potter along, painting a unit or model to try it out.
I have a couple of models that I have not painted yet, but still regularly, use. These need to get done.
But, I bought some Scions when they came out, and I heard they're good in the 8th. So, I painted a boss and enough models for a small unit.
The same with a Primaris Psyker. Bought ages ago, and painted last month to try out.

Having the shelf of unused boxes over my painting table doesn't help.

So, I have not burned out at any time in the past 6 years or so.
And painting a few models during the slump makes coming back up again easier.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/21 11:16:53


6000 pts - 4000 pts - Harlies: 1000 pts - 1000 ptsDS:70+S+G++MB+IPw40k86/f+D++A++/cWD64R+T(T)DM+
IG/AM force nearly-finished pieces: http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-38888-41159_Armies%20-%20Imperial%20Guard.html
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw (probably)
Clubs around Coventry, UK 
   
Made in au
Ultramarine Scout with Sniper Rifle





Ulladulla

Hi members. A great way to clear your mind, body and soul is to get away for awhile. weekend or a day doing something out of the ordinary. for example I was away for 3 month, came home, commissioned two pieces and repainted all the miniatures in the next 5 weeks. since being a home body again I've bought, built, based and block colored. but nothings to a finished standard, which is blolics. I can only manage a couple of hours at most now. And that's getting straight into it when I get home. So that's what I've found works sort of hyping up and then focusing or channeling the energy.
   
Made in au
Kinebrach-Knobbling Xeno Interrogator





But... I need to paint that Evesor. Don't force me not to force me to do things!
   
Made in ca
Commander of the Mysterious 2nd Legion





I take a break, and don't push too hard, I definatly agree with those who say paint in batches. 5 tac marines is easy, 25 is a nightmare

Opinions are not facts please don't confuse the two 
   
Made in sk
Neophyte Undergoing Surgeries




Slovakia

MrPyro wrote:
But... I need to paint that Evesor. Don't force me not to force me to do things!


I am not forcing you to not force it ! I force you to THINK about not forcing yourself to paint a forced Eversor ! Or maybe i force you to not paint so i will feel forced to paint my minis ? I was going somewhere with this, i just forgot where...

So deep and edgy, yet still not funny. God darn it...

With fire and flame,
Wrath of Vulkan 
   
 
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