Time to hang it up?

[NoOneofConsequence]

Betcha thought this was going to be a "Oh I am done with this game." post

Not quite, but I do want to reach out to some players who may find themselves stuck.
This also takes into account that feedback has been provided.

Ask yourself this question. "Am I logging on because I want to, or because I have to." And I mean it truly; sit down in a quiet area away from screens and social media, and ask the question. If you answered the latter option, or you feel like you may still be in a rut, ask these follow-up questions to yourself.

"Does FF14 provide the satisfaction that myself as a player needs?"
If no : "Is Square Enix working to remedy this problem I am having? (If possible)"
If no: "Do I think that Square Enix may start working to resolve this problem (If possible)"
If no: Should I support a company who no longer supports me as a player?

And finally, "Am I Hate-Playing FF14?" Are you playing the game despite not enjoying it?

Now, if you went through those questions and answered no for the first four and still find yourself compelled to log in, consider the next two options.

You may be stuck in loss aversion or the sunk cost fallacy. Possibly both.
Loss aversion refers to the psychological impact of loss being greater than the pleasure of gaining.
The Sunk Cost Fallacy refers to continuing a course of action due to substantial investment, even when it is clear abandonment is more beneficial.

"I've put in this amount of time, if I stop, I wasted the time"
Or
"The thought of your character in digital limbo."

Do those phrases cause an emotional response inside?

If so,
Seriously, just take a break. Miss the game for a while, play another MMO and remind yourself why you enjoy FF14 to begin with. Or just do something else entirely. And this isn't the "If you don't like it leave" defence of DT or BS like that. My DT review is mixed at best.

This is a, don't waste your time on something that does not provide some manner of satisfaction to you. Because at the end of the day, the time is being spent either way, and wouldn't you want to spend it doing something that provides you with pleasure rather than dread? FF14 is going to be around for the foreseeable future.

Some might be asking, why post this? Who cares?

Because there will come a time when all of us will be left behind by FF14.

I am a 5.35 baby, but I have loved the journey that my character and I have been on, good and bad. And it is possible due to life changes that my WoL journey may be approaching a conclusion.
And I would rather leave on terms where I can look back and say "Nyx'x Sye and I had a good ride. I hope to be back again to see how Eorzea has evolved" rather than have dread attached to it like "Well I am unsubbing because SE ruined the game and blah blah blah"

Let go of that negativity, it's not worth it.

[Ayalu]

Not quite the situation but for privat reasons i also had basicly a half year break of the game and after that and the DT Start i was able to enjoy it again.
So yeah, i support this here. Take breaks from the game for how long its needet. For your own mental health and potential future enjoyment.

[koko-on-da-forumz]

I also took a six month break, came back in Dawntrail to play with my friends.

Game's still bad. w(ﾟДﾟ)w

[Raim]

Game is good but they need to get all the new content started by 7.1 instead of 7.2 or 7.3. I don't want to have to wait for the new foray.

[CamuiKushi]

I would like to step away from the game for a bit but they turned demolition back on lol

[lolnotacat]

I would like to step away from the game for a bit but they turned demolition back on lol

I'd be very sad if I lost my medium house.

[EdwinChucklenuts]

Definitely a lot of hate players on these forums. I think people trying out other games/MMOs would be a good thing too, at worst you find a game you vibe with more than what you keep *hoping* 14 will be, at best you realize nothing else really scratches that itch and you come back with a better appreciation for the game.

[Volgia]

I usually take a break after clearing savage, try out the new Ultimate (and never clear it cuz I can't get bothered to) and wait for the x.2 and x.4 patches, there's definetly a time where it feels like the game is just kind of a waste of time because it no longer engages me.

The house thing is a trap. That's why I never invested in one.

[Jojoya]

The house thing is a trap. That's why I never invested in one.

It's only a trap for those who let it be one.

I'm debating taking a break partially for financial reasons, partially because the latter half of the MSQ didn't appeal to me but seems to be the way going forward for the game. I've got a personal house of each size plus a FC medium. I've got no problem letting go of my personal houses, or the medium if my friends with alts in the FC aren't interested in keeping it (they don't play those alts often).

The houses are just pixels. If I do take a break and then come back, I'll have the fun of restarting my housing adventures. And I do mean fun in the real sense, not a sarcastic sense. For me part of the fun in RPGs is starting from nothing and building my way up.

[Morphiana]

OP raises an important question regardless of how much you enjoy the game.

A strong sign of addiction is when you take part in something when you feel you "have to", even if you do not like it (work does not count) or like it but do not want it to take priority over other important things in your life such as time with family.

WoW's dailies in WOTLK were built for this purpose. If you didn't log in every day to complete them, you fell behind. FFXIV did the same with books in ARR's relic. Even if you loved the game, you would feel like you had to log in when you were supposed to be out enjoying events, working, being with family, etc.

Regardless of how much you like the game, if you find yourself logging in because you feel you "have to", that means it is time to take a break for your own mental health and for the well being off those around you.