Reached My Limit: A Necessary Break
Hello everyone...
I suffered a mental breakdown and feel very depressed. My productivity went way down. I never thought I would get burned out, but it happened, and I think it has been for the last three months. I had numerous bad experiences, both personal and professional. I've had to deal with a lot of personal problems along the way, but I haven't stopped working for a moment. In this niche, the key is to produce consistent content that is fun. I haven't had time for myself, to seek professional help, and now I feel I need it more than ever.
I feel like I need to stop, at least for a week. I need to clear my head and regain the strength to keep going. I have been in a brutal routine for years, even working weekends. Even when my mother died last year, I barely allowed myself two days off.
I have lost all motivation, and it could be dangerous to continue like this. When one hits such an emotional low point, dark thoughts recur. I know some of you have had similar experiences, and I know that a post like this could hurt support on Patreon, which, in the end, helps me survive and pay for development costs. I don't blame you guys, most of you are here to receive a product. But I need a break, I really do, I'm sorry, I need to regain strength and my motivation, because otherwise I won't be able to give you the quality content you deserve.
Sorry to disappoint you. I wish I didn't have to do a post like this; I want to get on with the development as soon as possible to bring you the continuation of Charlotte's story, (which was the winner of the last community vote), but now I simply feel overtaken.
Stawer
Comments (65)
take it easy bro. you really dont have to apologize or anything. I dont know about the others but I dont mind if you take your time with the game and take some vacations here and there. btw the game is awesome and I have enjoyed it so far or still enjoying it even to this point.
Godspeed!!
Everyone is entitled to vacation time. Take yours.
Since I've become a patron, I don't ever recall you asking for a break, or mentioning anything about personal issues; I think I can confidently say you've been a brilliant and reliable developer from my beginning, here. That said, I believe it is not only overdue, but wholly necessary for the further development of LP. You should feel free to take breaks when you need, and let your spirit replenish. You deliver a beautiful story, with depth and breadth... that requires a clear mind, and able body, and a wellspring of creativity. Therefore, it is absolutely vital you take the time and resources available to keep these things in the best shape, and working harmoniously! Do as you must; we've waited this long, and you've always delivered... We Believe In You. We would not be here, otherwise... take heart in this, and take the time to take care of yourself. Feel better soon, Stawer!
Yes, I think it's been 5 years non-stop, tbh LP is 6 years old now (as time goes by), but during the first year and a half it was LP, my job and also the university, so I couldn't dedicate much time to it. Thanks for supporting me during all this time, and I hope to be back soon to continue creating the content I love so much.
Yes, I know how you feel. Take the time you need, and when you feel better, do what's right for you, even if it's difficult. I, for one, will wait and keep my fingers crossed that you'll be well again soon.
Thank u for all your comment! Love u all!
You created something as you can see many of us enjoy and I thank you for the amazing work.
As a fellow developer : take a good rest, don鈥檛 stretch yourself until you break, take some time off and take care of yourself
it's hard when you depend on this as your job. I love what I do, but sometimes negativity and other things can hurt you over time
Please take your time off. Recover and recharge. Take as much as you need.
ill try
Take a month off and talk to either a trusted friend or a professionnal, problems get worse when you ignore them
it's impossible to take so much time when u need to work on more content
Please, ABSOLUTELY take a break if you feel you need to. We are here for you. We love you.
thank you Doctor, I always appreciate your comments
Stawer, it's Heavy. I know I haven't been around the Discord in something like a year+, and I haven't even logged in to Discord in that time. I know exactly what you mean with needing a break. Take the time off, take MORE than a week, you need it and a single week is nothing. I haven't stopped my support even though I've been absent and I'm not about to stop my support because you're taking seriously needed time off. Take care of YOU first. Burnout and mental health are serious things, please, do what you need to do to get yourself in a better place. - Heavy
Hey Heavy! So glad to hear from you again, it's been a long time and I was worried. Thanks for your unconditional support, I hope you are feeling better now.
Mr S, first thank you for your imagination and talent for making this great story. I would like you to take care of yourself please because Life can be a challenge and I want you to be well and happy.
the intensity has affected my heart, which in the end is what worries me most, and I have not been feeling well
we're here for you, no matter what; i echo what the others are saying: take all the time you like.
thank u <3
Please take your time and get help and rest. I have plenty of games that take months to get new updates out but I stay loyal. There will be some who drop off but they will be back.
a pause brings a lot of negativity, like a hiatus, many will lose interest, but it was necessary.
Absolutely take the time you need. We've got your back.
thanks, I hope I can rest for a few days and refuel to continue
hey man, don't make yourself sick about this game. Take care of yourself. I don't want to get too into politics but I think a lot more creative people would be able to make more work if they didn't have to worry about having the ability to take care of their mental and physical health because they can't afford it. You're actively working on the game, I think the game is making you and a lot of people happy.
It has been affecting my heart too and I have not been feeling well. I want to feel better to continue as soon as possible, but I have learned to always keep my expectations low.
Take the time you need to recover and continue to take my money!
Thanks Jeffri, but I don't want to take advantage of yourtrust.
I've certainly been there. There's zero reason to apologize - we'll be here when you get back. The neat thing about building a community is that we actually care about you. Please take as much time as you need.
My main motivation is the community, I couldn't wish for a better one. Thank you
It's good you have recognised the problem and decided to stop for a while. Most creative people hit that wall at some point, so don't beat yourself up about letting people down. People here love your work, but that doesn't mean you have to destroy your well-being to keep other people happy. A lot of game devs on Patreon go on hiatus for a while, so you are not alone. Find someone you trust to talk things through with, and you'll be out the other side before you know it.
I know of cases of creators that when they hit the wall they just go to an eternal radio silence, but I don't want to be like that, I want to be transparent with the whole development process, even if it hurts the numbers. I owe you for all the time you have helped me to do this.
Take the time you need man
thank u <3
Take the time off.
I hope to be back as soon as possible
Please take all the time you need We're not going anywhere. Seek help for how you feel. I agree with the others take the whole month off because these problems only get worse.
A month would be unthinkable given my context, but I need to recover some energy, I'm hopeful that it won't get worse over time, but you never know
i would recommend 2 weeks, better even three and then frequent brakes at least one day a week. the human neesa brakes or it will rather sooner then later, not work anymore.
Yes, I think the first thing is to work on a more realistic and not so destructive schedule
Take a break the game and we will still be here when you get back. I think Maxi would agree 馃憤
I need to recover my passion
Everyone needs time off and those of us that support you understand. Don't break yourself just trying to please people.
Please take the time you need, and don't look at a date on the calendar for you to "return". Just get the rest you need and come back when you are ready.
Take yout time Off.
Bro don't hurt yourself for us. We want you to be well. Do what you need to stay mentally and physically well stay safe my guy.
As someone who needed five years to get back from overwork, trust me when I say this - take care of yourself. Your product is amazing, but your health is always more important. Take a week off and see how you feel, and don't decide when to start working again until after that week. 鉂わ笍
That is my intention, I don't want to burst more and damage the development for which you have supported me so much
Disappointed? On what ? You being a human ? No man,I'm actually worried about you, I'm in the "two week rest for Stawer" team, we will wait, so please take your time.
Thank u, I hope to return sooner, but I will evaluate as time progresses, u never know.
traquilo bebe tomate todo el tiempo que necesites para que sigas mejorando esta incre铆ble historia, te estaremos apoyando en todas tus decisiones y espero que te sientas mejor. te queremos mucho stawer
Gracias Luis, necesitaba un poco de tiempo para analizar mi situaci贸n actual y ver como proceder
You're not disappointing us. you taking care of yourself is the most important thing. I'd wait another 5 years for this. take all the time you need and I hope you get the help you need and deserve
I want you to know, you鈥檙e truly one of my favorite creators. I believe in you and the work you do and I know all too well how burnout can drag you down. Do what you need to and don鈥檛 be ashamed if you need to take 2 weeks instead to clear your mind and figure out just what it is you want to do whether it鈥檚 this or living your life and enjoying the time you have in this earth. Love you and remember to drink water and take care of yourself 馃挏
Thanks Kyuujin, I always like to read your comment and have a laugh with your profile picture, but yeah, rn i need to recover or I will not be able to continue
Who said you're disappointing us. If you need a break, take it and take care of yourself
Oy! Rest, there's time for work when you're better. Those of us that understand which I hope is most of us will wait patiently.
In my industry, we have a saying: schedule maintenance for the machine, or it will schedule it for you. Our body and mind are machines too. Take a break, get your maintenance, and be better.
Yes, it's time to grease the machine, I hope it's worth it :)
Health will always come before all else. If you are not in a good condition it will always reflect in all aspects of life. Wish you the best possible recovery and take your time, I am sure people that enjoy your work will be waiting for it nonetheless
The last thing I want is for my mental state to affect the development of the story, now I am focused on recovering and being able to continue.
Look after yourself before anything else. It's the most important thing you can do. Everything else can wait.
thank u