I Learn About Myself
Some time ago I reviewed some of the activities I had been involved in in my life and noticed that when I left them, I left them completely and with somewhat of an attitude as I did. As I deal with my withdrawal from caching, I am finding that this is very much the case.
Caching is a fun activity, but it has taken quite a bit of my free time, not to mention not-free time. After the initial start to my game, I quickly became a prominent player in my area, meaning only that I found lots of caches and therefore was a recognized name in the game. As time marched on, I set a few goals for myself (which I achieved). Once accomplished, however, there wasn’t much left motivating me. I had cleared a huge area. I could always clear a larger area, but that wasn’t really doing it for me, although I began to clear the edges and move in, but seriously, that was just frivolous. Then there was the idea of hitting just the known caches, the must-do caches. That looked promising, but I really had to travel far to get to those and after a couple, it looked as though this wasn’t going to be too promising. There was always the thought of clearing Delaware. But that never was a spark. I looked at it several times, but I just wasn’t into it. The numbers game, which I never was into, was another way of sparking the motivation. But really, it was just so damned subjective that “winning” that meant nothing.
And if I wasn’t motivated to go out caching, why do it? Without a doubt, I was addicted. I didn’t want to let go of having cleared South Jersey. Yet, more and more, I realized I would need to let go of that to get beyond the addiction. And when I stopped caching for a month, what did I see? I only needed 30-35 caches to clear the area. Then came the plan. I had about six caching days left before June. If I planned them right, I could clear those caches, hide the caches I wanted to get out, and maybe find some time here or there to keep on top of whatever came out after June. Yes, very addicted.
As I squandered most of those six caching days, with a little help from Gert, I realized I needed to let go. The web site went through many different incarnations. It may still change. I began this site, somewhat as a place to concentrate on that would give me reason not to attend to geocaching. But now I am scheming to get my caches and other placements adopted or archived so I can be officially done with it. I have my logs still and I will keep up the stats end of things for a while until I truly know I am done. If I can get my caches accounted for prior to the baby’s birth, I am certain the stats will go quickly. If my caches linger for a while, I imagine the stats will too. My posts seem to be pissing off everyone, so it will be even easier to leave when the time comes.
I am trying to clear my involvement in this game. It is time to move on. The next activity I won’t be able to give up. I like it that way!
Also blogged on this date . . .
- Screaming Fans - 2008
- Gert's Gift to Me - 2007
Tags: Bob, Geocaching, GPS Games