You might be familiar with this sensation: you launch your Steam library, scroll through numerous, possibly hundreds of games – and none of them ignite even the faintest flicker of enthusiasm.
This is precisely how a Reddit user articulates it in the Steam subreddit: despite a library overflowing, he simply can’t spot a game that captivates him anymore.
Everything has turned dull, he mentions – and evidently resonates with others: Over 5,000 upvotes and nearly 1,200 comments indicate how many of you relate to this issue.
When your extensive Steam collection becomes a hassle
For a lot of people, the golden era when every new game felt like a celebration has ended. Thanks to sales, Humble Bundles, and free giveaways, your collection accumulates quicker than you could ever manage to play through it.
What was once a source of excitement has now morphed into a burden: the next game is already queued up, the backlog is expanding, and the decision on what to play turns into a challenge. Instead of thrill, you feel inundated, and your urge to play fades away.
The notorious “pile of shame” particularly quickly induces a feeling of guilt. What should be enjoyable transforms into a to-do list, where each new title merely adds to the heap of unmet tasks.
The community’s suggestions for gaming fatigue
Within the thread, Reddit users not only expressed empathy for the issue, but also exchanged plenty of practical tips on how to escape gaming inertia.
Here are the key recommendations.
1. Step back from gaming
Perhaps the most prevalent suggestion:Don’t pressure yourself! If gaming is no longer enjoyable, it’s completely acceptable to take a hiatus for a few days or weeks.
Explore different hobbies, read a book, watch films or shows, go outdoors, or try something entirely new. According to users, the motivation to play games often reinstates itself naturally if you refrain from pressuring yourself.
It sounds like you may need to step back from gaming. There are numerous reasons why a hobby might lose its luster, but don’t push yourself to enjoy it if you’re not feeling it.
This could result in you abandoning the hobby altogether… I suggest stepping away from gaming and delving into other hobbies that bring you more joy. It’s perfectly fine to take a break from pastimes. Before long, you’ll likely feel eager to jump back into [the game], fire it up, and proceed with renewed enthusiasm. – salad_tongs_1
2. Increased activity and outdoor time
Exercise and physical activity are frequently mentioned as mood enhancers.
Whether hitting the gym, cycling, or simply maneuvering a yo-yo, individuals who engage in physical activity often feel more balanced and become more enthusiastic about gaming afterward.
People generally don’t get enough movement. I attend the gym every other day for intense workouts. Afterwards, I’m guaranteed to feel great when I game.– Conscious_leave_19561
I experienced this issue years ago, and the hobby that ultimately benefited me was experimenting with a yo-yo and mastering yo-yo tricks. It could be similar for you, or it could vary entirely! – TheBestPercy1
Exercise is one of the quickest and most effective ways to uplift your mood, no question about it. You can even make it enjoyable – there was an app called Fitocracy that gamified weightlifting as quests.– UberDrive
3. Embark on a digital detox
Many also attribute persistent distraction from bite-sized content such as YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikToks as a contributing factor to gaming fatigue.