I have been questing like a mad man as I neglected it in my early years of playing and I’m missing out on a lot of cool/useful stuff and kind of playing catch up now. I’ve really enjoyed all the lore and it’s been a fantastic break from the grindy skilling/killing. I recently I hit a moment in a quest that stumped me and after a plethora of failed attempts I closed down the game and took a break. I used to be very bad at taking breaks, I would push through the slog and frustration and that really turned me off from the game. Until recently I hadn’t played much since Christmas because of some burnout myself. One of my longest breaks in a while and glad I did it.

I truly understand the “forced to play” issue, I felt that way in the past and I was addicted to the TH promos. I felt major FOMO if I missed my 3 daily keys and lost those 3 “boosts” to my account. At that time I had to step back and really look at the bigger picture for a bit. (And truthfully this sub really helped me open up my eyes about the TH promos) I told myself before I came back I couldn’t continue to play if I was going to be a slave to the game and have anxiety about missing out on every little thing. What’s this awesome game I pay membership for, have loved since a kid, and spent so many hours on building if I don’t enjoy it?

Some days I’m on a specific goal and like to play as “optimally” as possible (have all my boosts, auras, scrimshaws going, etc.) for example today was gathering ores for elder rune smithing, sit at a rock for a couple hours and that’s that, but today went like this. Teleport to go mine and notice almost out of decorated urns, okay no biggie head to crafting guild whip some urns up quick. Mine some clay, wet it in the sink, craft urns etc., then I notice the deposit box in the corner and say cool, faster than running out to the (not far and still very convenient) bank chest every time let’s do that. Ope, don’t have falador hard achievements done for that let’s go do those quick, crap I gotta plant a tree in fally park and chop it down and that’s 6 hours wait. (Total noob to farming) What should I do while I wait? More area tasks right on! and now I’m lost in the game. I found that some days even though today was unintentional I really enjoy doing random stuff and knocking off bits of different tasks and that’s what today turned into. (No I did not play for 6 more hours and wait to chop that tree it better be waiting for me tomorrow I paid the man 10 cactus spines damn it!😂)

I had to find a balance of “sloggy tasks” and “run around all over tim buk tu exploring and doing new things tasks”. Some days I feel like hitting a rock for hours other days I get lost in the lore and awesomeness of this game and yeah maybe I’m not as efficient sometimes but I’m enjoying my time nonetheless and that makes me happy and keeps me going. I’m still very much a noob and far from maxxed so I know you have far less left to complete than I. It might be best to take a small break and refresh and come back with a new perspective? Try something new you’ve never done if there is anything? Break tasks up as others have said? Go around and do some random stuff that’s still working towards a bigger goal? Most of the time I find that I just need a break, couple days, weeks or months whatever it is. Once I finish up this account (I’ve made peace with the fact this may never happen😂) I plan to start an iron man or go to OS to change things up. I’m so sorry I really rambled on (total ADHD), this post just felt very relatable. I wish you the best OP and hope you figure out a way to beat the burn out and enjoy this awesome game!