I think I'm coming down with shooting ennui

[Mike OTDP]

I fear I'm coming down with a bit of shooting ennui. Oh, I'm shooting, but more and more I'm losing interest in all but the biggest matches. And I keep looking at firearms I'm interested in, and can afford...and don't bother buying. Which is very unusual for me. I'm a single professional, I can afford quite a bit. About the only thing stopping me from selling off items is my pack-rat tendencies.

Part of it has been work. I'd held a very high-stress position from late 2013 through the middle of this year. As in ~50 hours/week, 10-15 days travel/month, and high responsibility. The last few months, my workload and responsibilities have dropped dramatically due to a reassignment (not a demotion)...but I find myself burned out.

And it shows in my shooting. Scores are down, motivation is noticeably lower (by my standards), and has been for about a year. It's worrying...my job ate most of my life over the years, but I've kept it from devouring my shooting until now.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

[Bullspit]

Yes.

Without going into too many details it happened to me because of a variety of work and life situations that caused me to be a bit busier and the shooting range farther away. When I had time, I didn't have access to the range or my guns, when I had the guns and access to the range I didn't have time.

I'm hoping that things pick up for you after you adjust to the less stressful work situation.

[BDK]

Try taking up some other form of exercise.

Sometimes you need to reset.

[skb12172]

What they said. Don't sell or give away anything until you are in a better frame of mind. No reason to add later regret to current burnout.

[Netpackrat]

Maybe you just need to do something different for a while. Whether it's taking up a new style of shooting, or some other unrelated pursuit.

[Cobar]

My dad just retired.

He was telling me how he was advised not to try to get everything done he was putting off right away. He just told me that it worked. He feels recovered now and gets up looking for something to get done without feeling burned out. Maybe just take as much of a brake as you can with the lower stress position and sort of recharge a little and it will come back.

[Denis]

Shooting ennui? I though the season for those didn't start until December. They do make nice fur coats, though

It sounds like you need a break and a rest in general. If you need to make a break from high-level shooting part of that for it to be effective, then so be it. Hold onto your stuff, and come back refreshed. Otherwise, can you vary your shooting a bit? Do something that isn't on your ordinary schedule - shoot a few clays, or long distance rifle, or teach someone new to shoot; I get a lot of invigorating feedback from that...

Best wishes!

[Weetabix]

I've had periods of ennui. About lots of things. Peel some stuff off, and come back to it later, but don't get rid of anything.

And don't quit coming here.

[PawPaw]

Sometimes it helps just to change focus. I shot competition skeet for several years, then went to riflery, then to handgun. Stayed with handgun for a lot of years, but got jaded on it. Too many egos, too much emphasis on things other than fun. When it quits being fun, I quit going.

Take a break, consider your options, find something you like.

[BDK]

Also, if it seems more general, get your testosterone levels checked.