What keeps you playing?

[Illmaeran]

Hi folks. Been off the game for a while after a massive bit of burn out. I'm finding it hard to go back. I'm just curious... What keeps you playing the game? Maybe I can find a new reason to enjoy. Thanks!

A couple things.

1. Taking breaks. Stepping way to refresh things keeps me playing in the long-term even if I'm not playing in the short-term.

2. Going back to past MMOs and realizing how much better XIV is for me than all the others combined.

3. Doing whatever I feel like doing in the moment and not worrying about I HAZ TO GIT ALL TEH THINGZ! Giving yourself permission to enjoy what it is you feel like doing at any particular time goes a long way toward avoiding burnout.

4. Logging out when I'm no longer in the mood to play. I normally play every day, but sometimes that's only to send the retainers out again and maybe do a roulette. Other times it's a full-day session. The trick is not forcing yourself to play. That's just not healthy and leads to burn out.

5. "Stupid little goals". I define this as something that requires time to accomplish, but has no material impact on the character's progression. It may be an achievement or getting enough Skybuilder's Scrips for a particular emote. The trick is having something low pressure that's not "important" to the character that you can do here and there or binge if you desire. This game is full of these so there's never not something to work on.

6. RP. This is a big one for me. Visting a cool venue and chatting with folks when I want to log in but don't really want to do anything does wonders for continuing to enjoy being in game.