How to Spot Burnout Before It Chews Yer Bones

Mike’s Take

By Moradin’s cracked tankard, I’ve seen more GMs burn out than candles in a storm. Ye start bright-eyed, brimming with notes, maps, and ambition. But give it a few months, and yer sittin’ at the table lookin’ like a zombie that forgot its lines. Burnout don’t come all at once, lad. It creeps in, chewin’ at yer bones ‘til all that’s left is frustration.

A burnt-out GM ain’t fun for anyone. Yer world shrivels, yer NPCs sound the same, and every fight feels like a copy of the last. The trick? Spot it early, before it drains ya dry.

The Early Warning Signs

• Ye dread prep night instead of lookin’ forward to it.

• Yer players’ questions feel like interruptions, not opportunities.

• Every session ends with ya wonderin’ why ye even bother.

If this sounds familiar, grab yerself a pint — we’ve got some fixin’ to do.

Ways to Keep the Fire Lit

• Share the screen: Let a player run a one-shot. Aye, even if they’re green. It keeps ‘em engaged and gives ye a breather.

• Shorten arcs: Not every campaign has to run longer than an elf’s bedtime story. Keep it tight, finish strong, start fresh.

• Steal inspiration: Read a book, watch a fight scene, nick an idea from a bard’s ballad. Feed yer brain, or it’ll starve.

• Cut the dead weight: Got NPCs or side plots ye ain’t usin’? Toss ‘em. Simplify before yer notes strangle ya.

📌 Barkeep’s wisdom: Burnout thrives in silence. If ye’re strugglin’, tell yer table. More often than not, they’ll rally behind ya.

If Yer Beard’s Smokin’ With Burnout, Try These:

• When Yer Heart’s Givin’ Out but Yer Hands Keep Preppin’

• When You Can’t Tell If You’re Burnt Out — or Just Tired of Them

• When the Table’s Full — But It Feels Empty

• When You Gave Them Everything — and They Still Want More

• When You’re the Only One Who Cares If It All Falls Apart

• Loot Don’t Mean Leadership, Ya Gold-Grabbin’ Pebble Counter

FAQ

Q: Is it weak to tell players I’m burnt out?
A: Weak? Nay. It’s honest. Yer players can’t help if they don’t know.

Q: How long should I step away if I’m drained?
A: One session’s break often does wonders. If ye need longer, take it. Campaigns can wait.

Q: Can burnout kill a campaign for good?
A: Aye, if ignored. Better to pause and return refreshed than drag a corpse of a story no one enjoys.