06/09/2025

When the Hobby You Love Starts Feeling Like Work

I’ve been there — sitting at my desk, paintbrush in hand, staring at a half-finished miniature I should be excited about, and… nothing. No spark. No joy. Just a nagging voice saying, “You need to finish this.” That, my friends, is the phenomenon of hobby burnout. And if you’re reading this, you’ve probably felt it too.

Whether it’s painting miniatures, crafting terrain, or running tabletop RPGs, our hobbies are supposed to bring us joy. They’re our creative outlets, our escape, our little slice of magic. But sometimes, that magic fizzles out.

If you’ve felt stuck, uninspired, or even a bit resentful toward your once-favorite pastime, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about what hobby burnout really looks like, why it happens, and most importantly, how to get through it.

What Hobby Burnout Feels Like

Hobby burnout isn’t always obvious. It can sneak up on you slowly. For me, it started with avoiding my workbench. Then I’d open YouTube and feel worse seeing all the “perfect” paint jobs. Eventually, the thought of painting or DMing made me feel tired, not excited.

Here are some common signs:

• You don’t feel motivated to start or finish projects
• You get frustrated more easily, even with small things
• Your hobby feels like a to-do list, not a fun escape
• You keep putting it off, even though you “have time”
• You’re just… not enjoying it anymore

Sound familiar?

Why Burnout Happens (And It’s Not Just You)

Burnout is more common than people think. Creative hobbies are personal, emotional, and sometimes mentally draining. Some reasons it happens:

• Perfectionism: You want everything to be flawless, and that pressure steals the fun.
• Overcommitting: You take on too many projects or say yes to too many game nights or commissions.
• Repetition: Doing the same kind of work over and over (another batch of goblins, anyone?) can wear you down.
• Deadline stress: Especially if you’re making content, painting for others, or prepping games on a schedule.
• Lack of connection: It can feel isolating, especially if you’re creating alone without community or feedback.

How I’ve Fought Back Against Burnout (And You Can Too)

Here are a few things that genuinely helped me reconnect with my love for the hobby — maybe they’ll help you too:

1. Take a break — seriously.
Step away for a bit. No guilt. No pressure. I once took a whole month off painting — and came back more refreshed than I expected.

2. Change things up.
If I’m tired of painting, I build custom terrain. If I’m tired of that, I film YouTube videos or create maps.

3. Set small, achievable goals.
Instead of telling myself, “I have to finish this army,” I go with, “I’ll do one figure today — just the basecoat,” or I will just say “I will just do something for 15 minutes and then stop.” And I celebrate the heck out of that.

4. Find your people.
Join a painting group, hop into a Discord server, or just share a photo online. Getting feedback or just chatting with folks who get it can be surprisingly energizing. One of the reasons that I created this website was to show off my work and get feedback. It helps me get back into the hobby mindset if I see people commenting on my miniatures.

5. Mute the comparison trap.
Social media is a highlight reel. You don’t see the messy desks, the scrapped projects, the mini that got dropped and shattered. Focus on your journey, not someone else’s finish line.

6. Create a space that invites you in.
Even a small, tidy desk with good lighting can feel like a creative haven. When my space is inviting, I’m more likely to sit down and enjoy it. I spend an hour every Saturday morning straightening up my hobby space. When it is all nice and clean, it makes me want to sit down and do something.

Final Thoughts

Burnout doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re human. The passion you had for your hobby isn’t gone forever — it’s just resting. Give yourself some grace, slow down, and let that spark return in its own time.

And remember: your hobby is supposed to bring you joy. You don’t owe it to anyone else. Make it yours again.

Keep on gaming!