taking a break from comping

RatGirl

I've just come back from taking over a year off as it was stressing me out, and very frustrating in the lower amount of wins, have come back afreshed but still frustrated with low amount of wins, but will keep going x

StrayCat

I've just had a two - three week break, I think it's good - comping is so time consuming and it can soon eat away the hours from your day. When the summer comes I'll be comping less too, I don't mind spending winter locked away with my computer but no way am I missing out on any sunny days! I do win a lot less now that I've started having regular breaks but it's worth it :j

TheMoneypit

A break can only be a good thing for you start feeling pressured. If I don't feel like doing much then the first thing to go is the dailies. I never comp on holiday and I get nagged of an evening if I sit for too long doing this. It can really take over if you let it.

There are so many more people comping these days that the number of wins we each get must start going down. I now only get a couple of wins a month and they are usually very small.

zer01

I agree with what has been said above. If it has gotten to the point where it is no fun for you then I would Take A Break! (Ah, competition humor. It never gets old). The times it has become mundane for me I have tried to give them a rest for a while but I only get about 2 days in, get twitchy, and come back for more. I think I need to go to "meetings".

Blulu

Hi Tinks, I agree with what you and everyone else has said. I'm slowing coming back after having had a couple of months or so break. For me it was because of moving to a new area, and there has been so much to do. Also because, like you, I was finding that I was not doing other things that I wanted to do.

I just started back a few days ago, but I am determined not to do as much as I used to. Re the magazine dailies, I have done them once so far, and then only did a few that I really, really wanted. It didn't take that long.

I'm doing the same thing as I'm going through the main board comps. Just doing the 'creme de la menth' comps. I only go back one day, and if I miss a day, it's fine. If I find myself with a little extra time, I'll do some end date comping - but that hasn't happened yet.

It feels more manageable that way.

So, my suggestion is DO take a break and find your mojo again. When you're ready come back to us (please come back to us) and perhaps do your own plan, or a similar one to me, so you do less comping.

Love n blue skies

Blu X

One-Eye

Hi tinks,

The enthusiasm does come and go, but if you think a break is needed then go for it. You could also do some of the following - most of which I have done at some time.

1) Pass on some of the comps you post regularly - there are plenty of newer members who are willing and capable. Compared to a year ago there are far less sites where I am the main poster, but they all still get posted.

2) Have one or two days a week totally off (or just do the essential dailies) and go back to some of your other hobbies. Saturday's are probably the easiest to miss as they are quiet and it's easy to catch up on Sundays. You just have to decide whether to do SueMaggie's Times hourly comps when they crop up.

3) Pick an entire class of comps and just ignore them. For example, don't enter any comps for DVDs/CDs, or totally ignore FB and/or twitter and/or rafflecopter. I know a lot of people are ignoring the "mag dailies" due to the time they take to enter which is out of all proportion to the chance of winning and the prizes on offer, especially since you can typically enter 217 times for each comp (7 mags x 31 days)

4) Leave comps that are less than one or two hours old. It may seem a little bit selfish, but after two hours the vast majority of dupes, problems with answers and links etc. have been sorted, and the third party sites are not as slow after the first rush of MSE compers has been and gone. Your comping will be noticeably quicker.

paadzer

I have been comping online for over a decade and I had a break for a few years in 2005, not planned I was just busy and had a lot of things going on (e.g. relocation to another area, looking for a new job, doing temporary work, making new friends, moving then moving again because I didn't like the neighbours and then moving yet again because my flatmate became an alcoholic and couldn't pay rent or bills as he was fired for not going to work as he was passed out every morning. Living in three different places in 1 calendar year was not fun and also involved flat hunting, packing, unpacking and periods with no internet access as it always takes a while to arrange when you move).

I tend to comp more in the colder months as I don't tend to go out at lunchtime at work or during evenings when it's dark and cold. In the summer (when it's not raining) I tend to be out more at lunchtimes and evenings (even if it's just sitting outside reading a book after work).

My laptop has died so my comping will be limited until it's fixed but there's nothing I can do about that so if I miss some comps then it's fine but I can enter my faves during lunchtimes).

Marg2k8

I been comping for over 30 years, but in that time, I have taken breaks for weeks, months and even years.

I think sometimes you do need to reassess how important comping is compared with other things in life.

wonderwallet

Two years ago I decided I'd had enough as I had no decent wins for over a year, and would stop for a while. I didn't comp for a week and then I got a phone call from ITV telling me I'd won a holiday to Las Vegas! Needless to say I'm still comping!!!

HurdyGurdy

Seriously, if it's taking over your life to that extent, then yes - time for a break away. For your own sanity, if nothing else. Maybe enter fewer competitions, but only for those things that you really would like to have/do.

I see on people's signatures the number of wins they have had, and often think to myself "did you *really* want that item, or are you just entering every competition that you come across?"

For me, personally, it's not a "oh wow. yes!!" win unless it's something I actually wanted, so I am very selective as to what competitions I will enter.

I don't get very many wins, but at least I am not cluttering up the house and thinking "jeez - what am I mean to do with *this*" :D

I am sure you don't need telling - but the work that you put into posting competitions and answers has been very much appreciated. But everyone will understand why you step down, if that's what you decide to do.