Somewhat burned out

[Zanniej]

I'm going to be frank here. Lately I've been a bit burned out.

My work is really hectic and I'm a person short,. Added to that, we're merging with a 1500 people company, which also gives quite some uncertainty. I'm also in the process of buying my first house, which, in the current market is absolute hell.

Mainly because of that, I've noticed that I'm having trouble doing stuff, which also accounts for lesser activity here, for which my apology.

While I really aim for a community where everybody has their say, and their own possibilities to make the changes they want to see in this community, I do realize that some things fall to me. But, I also try to keep that to an absolute minimum. Not because I don't want to put the effort in, but because I feel that this community should be shaped and created by the community. Not by 1 central person. That is also why we have staff groups. Each staff group a specialist in their field, and they can achieve so much more together, than I ever could on my own (they're also much smarter than me).

I've created a bit of a backlog for myself to work through, and will try to do so in the coming days. Apologies for those who are waiting for me.
I figured I'd let you guys know. I still have some things on the backburner, that I wanted to open the discussion on with you all, but that too fell into the category of stuff I'm having trouble with doing.

Do not be too alarmed by the above. I've been going through life with a persistent trouble to get things done. How I ever achieved anything in life still amazes me to this day
There's just been some more things in my private life lately, that have demanded more attention from me than usual.

I'm still busy with ya'll daily. I just don't get around going through all my forum PMs as often lately.

I'll try to catch up as soon as I can!

Best,
Z

[[DM] Grinning Death]

Don't worry about it, Z. We'll pick up whatever slack; you focus on the stuff that actually matters!

[yyj]

Zannie you're amazing at what you do and I always felt you have my back, as a player I always know that you will be there to help out.

Life is always first and the videogames are just a distraction from it, never let a videogame distract you from the real beautiful and important things in the world, buying a house is a big achievement and a lot of work.

Take it easy and be well.

[TheKai]

Thank you for all you do! Even God rested on the 7th day!

Congrats on the new home! Such an exciting time.

[Steve]

Real Life before BG Life.

I think everyone who appreciates you "keeping the lights on" BGTSCC, also supports you taking vacation from the Role, at times. To recharge.

But, not too long mate!!!

[MrSmith]

Go easy on yourself... You make the server a wonderful place to spend time and one that so many people enjoy. Thank you for everything.

Cheers!

[Lockonnow]

Any warrior know the mark of Z all the energy for you make the mark of Z

[tankteddy]

We got your back, we can wait try not to sweat it to much mate!

[Zanniej]

Thanks everybody for your kind words!

Speaking out helps, as you can also see here.

[DM Gixustrat]

You’re a treasure for what you already do for all us DnD nuts. Take all the time you need bud.

[Hydros]

Take all the time you need Zannie, you do a great job from what I've seen regardless of what's been happening away from the server. Look after yourself!~

[Zanniej]

I thought I'd take the time to actually give a little update here for those interested. I'm not normally one who shares a lot of my private life (I'm not opposed, mind you... I just don't share easily) so I'm a bit out of my comfort zone here.

I'm currently in the middle of buying a house. It's my first house, and apparently a lot of paperwork is involved. I don't really mind that too much, but I don't always know what exactly needs to be done, so at times we (my girlfriend and I) are a bit late in handling stuff that we apparently had to do ourselves. (we don't know where our mortgage advisor stops, and our work starts)
That gives a bit of stress at times. It's doable, but it's a bit much. After we get the key, a lot of work needs to be done as well, since no maintenance was done in the 30 years the previous owner lived there.

What doesn't help is that the company I work has been taken over in the meantime. That in itself isn't bad at all (it's actually really great!). However, this has been a hectic time, in which some people also left the company, and in which my role as lead of my team has become a bit heavier. Apart from being lead, I'm also still a full time part of that very same team. That means that I'm doing the job that takes a full timer to do, next to my responsibilities as lead. I was just about to convince my own manager that I needed someone else in my team to take over that full time job I'm doing next to being lead. And then my manager said "I'm selling the company, and will not be working in this part of the company anymore. These people from another company are now your manager. Good luck!".

Long story short, they are also amazing people, but had to get acquainted with how we worked. The good news is that, now that they know how we work, they said "Yeah, you'll need a lot more capacity! So we'll start recruiting more people!". That's amazing, so july 1st I should have someone to take over part of my job, and we'll be looking to add more as well. So I've got a very bright prospect in that regard.

I'm not as burned out as I was a couple of weeks ago, but for my own mental health I'm still taking it a bit slower on the forums. I'm not out of the woods yet, but I have found a trail!

[Anrilor]

What doesn't help is that the company I work has been taken over in the meantime. That in itself isn't bad at all (it's actually really great!). However, this has been a hectic time, in which some people also left the company, and in which my role as lead of my team has become a bit heavier. Apart from being lead, I'm also still a full time part of that very same team. That means that I'm doing the job that takes a full timer to do, next to my responsibilities as lead. I was just about to convince my own manager that I needed someone else in my team to take over that full time job I'm doing next to being lead. And then my manager said "I'm selling the company, and will not be working in this part of the company anymore. These people from another company are now your manager. Good luck!".

Long story short, they are also amazing people, but had to get acquainted with how we worked. The good news is that, now that they know how we work, they said "Yeah, you'll need a lot more capacity! So we'll start recruiting more people!". That's amazing, so july 1st I should have someone to take over part of my job, and we'll be looking to add more as well. So I've got a very bright prospect in that regard.

I'm not as burned out as I was a couple of weeks ago, but for my own mental health I'm still taking it a bit slower on the forums. I'm not out of the woods yet, but I have found a trail!

I have been having staffing issues at my own work and completely understand what it is like to work with extra work because you don't have the team you need to get all the work that needs to be done, done.

Glad to hear things are getting better for you, keep an eye on yourself first, and come back when you feel like you can breathe!

[Arn]

I bought a house last year, and was also a first-time homebuyer. It is definitely a stressful process. And doing maintenance around the place can also take up time.

I fully support anyone taking a break from BG for their own mental health. No one should feel bad for stepping back from the server. As a certain fictional monk might say, "It's not heavy if you don't pick it up." BG is just a hobby; RL always comes first!

(That having been said, 100% RCR period is going to have me relapsing so hard )