BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Bowl_Freak on September 08, 2017, 03:25:34 PM
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Its not that i need a break, its just bowling isn't fun to me anymore. When do you guys know when to take a season or more off? Im going to be 40 and haven't taken any considerable time of, ever. But we just started this season and i dont have the motivation to go bowling anymore. What should i do?
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Take 2 weeks, then... Well, you know the rest.
Honestly, I haven't bowled in leagues in 5 years and really don't miss the house hackery. After the twins were born, just wanted to see them. Take time off and get unburnt. The urge will come back after a while. I'm trying to gear up to actually start again in really any capacity.
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-You think of any reason NOT to go to league
-You are instantly irritated the second you step foot into the center
-2 minutes into practice you say to yourself "I shouldve stayed home"
-At the conclusion of bowling the ink isnt even dry on the recap sheet and youre peeling out the parking lot
If you suffer from one of these, take a few weeks off. Two or more, a couple of months. 3 or more and youre like me, quit league altogether.
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If you have to ask it is time to step away. Come back to it when you get the urge. If you find something else to do you may never come back, or you may be back in a month.
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All good advise above ^^ ; The crazy part is I've played this game for many years straight all year long (No break at any period) and I've also asked myself 'Should I take some time off, and let the itch come back?
Are of us as being competitors, and wanting to be the best we can be also lose site of what's really important in life. I just got back from a date with my wife, and has a hellava time and just also thought 'Wow this is more fun than bowling'.
I'm going to reaccess my own goals for this game, and not let it be 2 jobs anymore. OP, if your heart says to walk away, then all be it, do what's best for you; if thought about it many times myself; it's plenty of things to do in life to make us happy.
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I used to bowl all year around but no more, it got to be to much.
Now I do NO bowling at all in the summer, don't even look at my balls.
I found if I didn't take a break, it was easy for me to get burnt out, and I don't want that as I do enjoy bowling, it works for me.
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Varies by person I guess but the bowling has always been a shed load more important to me than the competition. Love of the game even if kicking back rolling some games with my little one open bowling with after birthday party like conditions. As long as the lights are on I'm good.
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If you have to ask it is time to step away. Come back to it when you get the urge. If you find something else to do you may never come back, or you may be back in a month.
This pretty much nails it. For me it was a 10 year hiatus when the kids were young. I never regretted it. The problem is that you've already committed to a team. You don't want to leave them high and dry. Figure out a way to get a replacement, and then move on with your life. The future will take care of itself.
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league bowling is such a commitment. I haven't done a winter lead in like 15 years.
Stopped bowling when went back to school, then when got back into it did sport shot league in summer. Find that with that at 13 week, plus practice sessions every week, labor day tournament - plus additional practice, I sort of need a break just after summer. Everyone seems to think I'm also crazy just bowling in summer.
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If you are wondering if you need time away from it, then you probably do.
I bowled for years, never missing a league. Sumer, fall, all year round, and multiple leagues many times.
But, as I've gotten older, the desire has waned. I still love it, and our fall league starts tonight, but I haven't bowled a summer league in several years, and only bowl in this one league now. I've lost nearly all desire to bowl in a competitive environment, and bowl purely for recreational reasons now. I still want to do good, but I got tired of feeling I HAD to do good. That helped quite a bit.
I was getting totally burned out, but now, I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of it.
If you can make it fun again, it will help. If not, step away until it DOES sound like fun again. When it does, don't overload on it, keep it as a fun thing to do, and don't spend countless time worrying about the small stuff. That's what burned me out and made it seem almost like having a second job.
When bowling becomes a chore, it ceases to be fun.
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I knew it was time for me to step away when it became less fun than going to work. My game had been going downhill fast and my pride told me that I should be better than it was, so I lost the fun of bowling. I planned to take off a season but ended up taking off nearly five years (bowling only ONE game in that time), returning to bowling in 2011. I came back refreshed and now appreciate and enjoy the game as much as ever.
So, I recommend taking the time off and then returning once you miss it too much.
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I bowled continuous (winter/summer) for many/many years. In most years multiple leagues. Didn't cut back for any reason other then it was getting to costly.
Finally settled for one league both winter and summer. Just this year I've had to miss some weeks for health reasons .. mainly my legs prevent me from throwing where I'm aiming!
As long as your pride doesn't get in the way and your health holds up .. keep bowling. There will come a time when your health will let you know 'it's time to stop' .. good luck!
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As others have mentioned, take a few weeks off and reevaluate things. Bowling should be fun, which is why I choose my teammates not by how great a bowler they are, but if they are good guys on and off the lanes. On those nights when my game isn't as sharp, and I'm frustrated at one thing or another, at least I'm with good people.
If you've done it year around then take summers off to recharge the desire to bowl. Whenever you quit doing something you're accustomed to doing every week then you should try to "replace" it with something else so you will stay busy instead of becoming a coach potato. If you don't find something else you may slowly sink into a depression, which can set you back quite a bit (until you discover what's happening and take corrective action).
If you normally bowl two (or more) leagues then cut back to one so you have time for other things in your life.
A happy life is one that usually has some balance to it. When bowling dominates your every waking moment, even mentally, it can become a chore rather than something to look forward to. Is there something you feel you've neglected because of bowling? If so, it's never too late to change direction, and then bowling can be a healthy diversion rather than a "ball and chain".
I don't believe in quitting something cold turkey that has been an important part of your life for years. Just get things back closer to a balance and your perspective will change for the better. Good luck to you. There are some really good people here with good advice. Chances are we've all been there...
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I don't believe in quitting something cold turkey that has been an important part of your life for years. Just get things back closer to a balance and your perspective will change for the better. Good luck to you. There are some really good people here with good advice. Chances are we've all been there...
Cold Turkey is not the right decision in many situations. But sometimes it actually is. I've had a few bowling friends that got so burnt out, disinterested and bitter that walking away for at least a season was the only realistic path.
Bowling will still be here if he decides to come back.
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simple when it stops being fun time to step away for a while and enjoy something else you will miss nothing when away from the sport. If you come back all the same things will be there. new balls,10 pins, or 7 s if your left handed cold beer lots or excuses and complaints from the players and house owners.
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I don't really know the answer to your question. I stopped bowling league about 2 years ago and don't miss it what so ever. I do enjoy my time bowling with friends as a recreational sport tho & try to make it 2 times a week, although the 40 mile round trip does take a toll on me, especially @ night. I actually look forward to being and bowling with friends on a mostly non competitive level. Just having fun and juking around, but also trying to do one's best as I expect my friend to do also. No more pressure to be better, or doing your utmost for the team. I do bowl as a sub to get my 21 games in for average to bowl tournaments, but usually being a sub puts me off as well. Good luck in your decision. I love to bowl, been doing it for decades, but league leaves me upset with the jabbering, pressures, sandbagging, smoking, drunkenness (getting high & silly on alcohol) and just general BS malarkey. ::) Old & set in my ways I suppose. ;)