SoloRPGs and Overcoming FOMO (i.e. spending a Saturday night alone)

[@DesertDwellerSoloGaming]

Video 42 of me liking and then commenting on every new upload to tell the viewers that the Man Alone Podcast is absolutely some of that sweet, unhinged audio/vocal-honey. Psssst. What’s your hot take on something that is subjectively overrated? I’ll start. Those waffle bowls that are dipped in chocolate that you can get your ice cream in. They really aren’t practical and the chocolate usually tastes more like plastic anyways.

[@carolinelabbott2451]

Have to agree with you there about the choc bowls. My hot take is for pharmaceuticals to stop attempting to mask foul tasting medicine with something that is supposed to be nice, it never works and in my opinion makes the medicine taste worse.

[@mick19]

Video 1 of me agreeing with you that Man Alone podcast is da best.

[@amanisalone]

Can't stand things that fall apart as I eat them. Makes me feel like I am cursed. Let's see...I think adding bacon to things isn't *that* good. I also think it doesn't work as well as people like to think on burgers. During the downward bite, I end up breaking the bun and meat before I break the bacon, which is more stringy/sinewy. So then I'm like wiggling my burger back and forth and I just feel like a dog who had a piece of raw steak thrown at his face. Did this make me lose my man card?

[@DesertDwellerSoloGaming]

@amanisalone MAN CARDS. That’s one of those overrated things. You don’t lose yours. I don’t even like meat with bones every much anyways. I will always take the glorified chicken nuggets over the bone-in traditional wings.

[@amanisalone]

@@DesertDwellerSoloGaming I sometimes agree but when it comes to wings I sometimes feel like boneless are a rip off. However as I'm typing this I'm now thinking maybe I think bone IN are a better deal simply bc they weigh more but that's a TRICK. It's the bone that weighs more and I CANT EAT THAT HOLY SHIT MY WHOLE WORLD IS FALLING APART....LIKE MEAT OFF THE BONE

[@defaultidiot1684]

Back in the 80s I heard a comedian ask, "How do I know if I am having fun if there is no one there to tell me?" I laughed because on the surface it was funny. The question stuck with me and has bounced around my mind ever since because it troubled me and I couldn't find a suitable answer that satisfied me. I'm about to turn 60 and I have only recently been able to say, "I know this (fill in the blank) is fun - I don't need your or anyone else's approval." To be able to say that phrase aloud to myself and others, _and_ to believe it, is one of the most freeing and refreshing experiences of my life. I strongly encourage everyone to find at least one thing in their life that they can say aloud, "I know *this* is fun and I don't need anyone's validation." And try to do it before you're my age. 😉

[@amanisalone]

The race is long, and in the end, you're only competing against yourself. Actually...maybe we're not competing at all. Thanks for this amazing comment

[@mattjackson]

I hate to sound cliche, but MA, that was freaking brave. Putting yourself out there is such a rare and delicate thing these days, it is rarely seen. I applaud you sir.

[@joustjonny8999]

That was the best old prospector voice I have ever heard in my life. Bless you for the honesty and for making these videos.

[@adam_orkcol]

I overthink my hobby time and end up doing nothing. Yesterday i felt like solo'ing and i knew id get my stuff out, ponder the system im making, then put eveything away. So knowing this i watched a couple of your videos on starting solo play and your recent video where you have the 'play 60 mins' spreadheet. I did this as i knew it would push me to play. I was playing within 5minutes and i had a great time. I learnt more about a system i am curious about and got a cool story. Im going to be playing again this evening. Different characters though as the two i used are now dead lol. Thanks for sharing your issues as it helps us who feel the same think were not alone and that makes it better.

[@GreekSoloRPG]

What did you play?!

[@adam_orkcol]

@GreekSoloRPG I was playing Screams amongst the stars, an Into The Odd hack inspired by games like alien and mothership. It's pretty good, I'd just add a few more attributes as I don't think 3 is enough.

[@GreekSoloRPG]

@@adam_orkcol That sounds cool! Into the Odd is on my to buy list (probably my christmas present to myself!), but I hadn't heard about Screams amongst the stars. I will check it out. Thanks!

[@serolrom]

Can you point to that 'play 60 mins spreadsheet' recent video? I might be in need of it :)

[@adam_orkcol]

@@serolrom in recent videos, the 2d6 dungeon video, the intro says what it is, and the link for it is in the description of that video.

[@Galthordenumenor]

This kind of reflexion against the toxic masculinity, pointing the importance of selfcare are very rare and very helpful. Thanks

[@amanisalone]

somebody's gotta say it

[@treymclemore3418]

Thank you for the open, kind, and vulnerable words. I didn’t realize I was subconsciously asking myself all those questions about any attempt to solo roleplay “how can I publish this? How can I monetize this? How can I submit this for certification?” And Fear Of Meeting Oneself is a real shot to the heart, I’ll be thinking about that one all day. I appreciate you, brother.

[@amanisalone]

Thanks trey this was really nice of you to write

[@mattjackson]

Sadly, I too have fallen to this. I had a burgeoning YT channel, a blog, and an itch page, all trying to 'create my brand' or some such nonsense. It took me a long time to realize what I was doing - all of the 'how can I make this useful for others' goal instead of merely 'having fun for ME' - was killing all my joy in gaming. I stopped gaming for almost a year before I realized that is one of the root causes of my failing love of gaming.

[@dirkvoltaar]

Thanks for this.

[@amanisalone]

Thanks for you.

[@adam_orkcol]

sharing your issues and troubles publicly to us on such an open forum where you are so open to being attacked is very brave. its great that you do this, it shows people that whatever problems we have, somebody else either, did/has or will go through something similar and there is always a way out. we are not as weak as we think thankyou

[@amanisalone]

We are not as weak as we think, and we are even less weak when we lift together.

[@MikeRenouf]

Masterful explanation of the most important insights. Similarly took me years to complete the same journey you described. Breaks my heart that other guys struggle with this too, and that there are so few resources available to help them with it. Bravo Man Alone.

[@amanisalone]

We will be the resource Mike, we have to be. Or else this whole operation is doomed.

[@AceneDean]

Maaaaaaan, I need a way to dodge the FOMO of crowdfunded RPGs....

[@Goldschlager]

This is what I thought the video was going to be about and I was like 'FINALLY! Someone has a way to kick the FOMO of picking up new ttrpg books!". To be honest, I was a little disappointed. I need a way to talk myself out of continuously buying new games thinking "this is the system I've been looking for all along!" Now I have a huge stack of books I may never get around to reading. Ugh.

[@amanisalone]

@@Goldschlager I'm considering doing a video on this

[@dirkvoltaar]

@@AceneDean There’s a $500 hole in my wallet I call Malone.

[@Deshitana]

May not be a guy or be doing the same things, but as someone still struggling to know me and be confident in me...there are no words to express how much I needed to hear this raw and honest view of things. Thank you. Truly. Thank you.

[@amanisalone]

Yeah you know I use guy as a short hand for "masculine energy," I truly believe we all have masculine and feminine energies within us, in different balances, and that a harmony between those energies is so important for finding inner peace. To me it is the struggle between structure and creativity, or groundedness and flight. Either way, it makes me so happy to hear it was helpful (:

[@Deshitana]

I appreciate the wisdom and hoping to find that balance. Always helpful and ironic right on time in strange way. (:

[@thegraphitedragon1434]

I am really enjoying your videos. Your insight and subject matter are thought provoking and make me want to be more active in the hobby. This one pushed me across the join line.

[@amanisalone]

Glad you've decided to...join us...(meetings are in the middle of the forest around the bon-fire every sixth Saturday at midnight)

[@petermcdonald4740]

Another well done video! I am turning 59 it’s hard to find players. So I turned to solo but the more I play solo the more I enjoy it

[@amanisalone]

If you're anything like me, you're an expert playing against yourself and need work on playing co-op with yourself...

[@dungeonmilitia1609]

Man I reflected on your video over and over, really made me think a lot about myself and my fruitless need of validation in my younger years, so common to fill the void with partying and sordid methods of dulling that feeling. Thanks for your video bro really

[@amanisalone]

We did the best we could and what we did is what got us here. No matter what we had to do to get from there to here, we made it. Glad you're here.

[@dungeonmilitia1609]

You’re a doll, but as you said, “the depths of pathetisism,” lol it got me right in the ME Keep on bro, deli meat review for the ‘rythm

[@jonathana6298]

43:00 It’s been 3 years since I received Starforged… and I still haven’t played it. 😢😅 I got Knave 2E and this is more for me. The simpler the better. Less comprehensive, but more space for me to fill in the blanks.

[@LorenMJ]

What? Send it to me. It wants to be played.

[@amanisalone]

I command you to solo that Knave 2e!!!

[@N8ThaGr8r]

My biggest issues are that i have so many ideas, im constantly role-playing in the back of my head, but as soon as i try and focus on it, my mind goes blank

[@amanisalone]

Mind-blanking is a form of numbing which is a form of avoidance which is a form of self-protection. That's good you want to protect yourself N8, but I promise you've got nothing to be afraid of. Your ideas will be good. Your choices will be right. Believe brotha!!!

[@nhantrungha]

I just found your channel and I really love how you talk about these issues as well as talking about normal RPG stuff in other videos. Love listening to them!

[@amanisalone]

well you are most welcome, and glad you're here! Yes I just kind of talk about whatever is on my mind and it helps that I've got lots of screws loose because really good ideas sometimes leak out of the holes left behind by the loosened screws.

[@alphadogg5682]

ME: "Man Alone is my favorite solo rpg channel" ALSO ME: "What does any of this have to do with solo roleplaying?" 🤣 Never change Man Alone!

[@amanisalone]

My goal is to trick people into watching a whole video that is about a completely different topic and then at the end I just say "and also - solo RPGs...very cool!"

[@alphadogg5682]

@@amanisalone Goal achieved.

[@notavailable4891]

Damn this us so relatable. I came at it from the opposite direction. An introvert who drank to pretend he was extroverted and felt like I stopped existing when I was around people. But i came to the same place, losing my social life and realizing I had no idea how to do the things I like or even what those things are. These videos are really motivating and helpful, thank you.

[@TheBedHeadBoi]

I had/have the exact opposite problem I was the king of Irish goodbyes in highschool and college. I really struggle with even wanting to connect with other people.

[@MagnificentDevil]

I'm much the same. I'm generally at my happiest when I am able to be on my own. I have a very small social appetite.

[@amanisalone]

yeah absolutely this is the thing I was talking about where one person's "growth" is another person's crutch. It's why I'm so suspicious when anyone is like "oh this ONE thing is the answer to all of your problems." Like...maybe? Or maybe it's the WORST thing you could do.

[@BramVaschellie]

I grew up with siblings a wide age gap from me, about 10 years. I was a product of a second marriage and never got to live with any of them, the amount of jealousy and loneliness I felt for them having a whole life together and me being a weird extra kid was intense at times. Thanks for sharing your experience, not many people go through that or understand it.

[@N8ThaGr8r]

You always seem to know what i need to hear, thank you 😊

[@MagnificentDevil]

I've spent the majority of my free time in solitary persuits ever since childhood, and that is the time I always treasure the most.

[@amanisalone]

you lucky....if only I would have had this mindset I could have been a astrophysicist. Instead I just work at HR in Man Alone, llc

[@benjones1452]

Thanks

[@amanisalone]

whoa thanks Ben this is really kind of you, glad my video connected with you

[@TheArcaneHeathen]

Thanks brother

[@amanisalone]

Thank you glad you're here (even though you're a damn heathen)

[@TheArcaneHeathen]

@@amanisalone haha I get that alot

[@12600Grey]

Thank you. I didn't realize I really needed this video.

[@TeoremaDeLaMazmorra]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful video. In my opinion solo RPGs are as close as one can get to a pure artistic endeavor, precisely because, as you say, they can not be sold, shared, or exploited. You play for the sake of playing and for the joy of creating. It is a gift of time and energy from and to yourself.

[@amanisalone]

It's pure; it's something you put into the universe not because you want something back, but because it just belongs there.

[@decliche1286]

Incredible intro

[@americanbaldguy]

I am glad I subscribed to your channel a couple weeks ago. You gave me a reason to play a game, and sometimes that is all it takes. Thanks Man Alone! As a side note, I need to re-record my first solo RPG for your September challenge thingy. The first recording was BAD, I played badly, screwed up a couple things, and the video had some things that shouldn't have been in there. Can I re-record it? Will this count? I can include some of the original video I guess... I also made my own little dice-rolling RPG kind of game this month which I want to put up (for free) on drivethrurpg but it needs a little bit of polish and more playtesting. AND I also started a full blown legitimate RPG but at some point I will probably need some kinda help on that. Gotta put the clamp down on feature creep right out of the gate and stay focused. Ah, I am rambling... Have a great Saturday!

[@amanisalone]

But what if that really bad recording is going to be a legendary relic that we can look back at in three years and be like "whoa...I've come a LONG way"

[@amanisalone]

In fact, I subscribed to your channel to keep tabs. You are officially on watch...

[@jaykaye594]

Over here you'd be known as the popes drop.

[@amanisalone]

is that similar to the "soap drop"

[@jaykaye594]

@@amanisalone never heard of anyone getting pregnant that way.

[@defaultidiot1684]

@@amanisalone Pope on a Rope?

[@Scibelius]

Thank you & Respect!

[@haysmcgee801]

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, I understood as a child; now that I am no longer a child I put away childish things.” I think as we grow and walk our paths that lead us to what we become, we face various challenges and choices along the road that force us to confront who we really are. The more we resist ourselves the more damage we endure. For the majority of people we fear what we really are more than anything. However if we can embrace our true selves we can truly be better, be more… and maybe… one day… we can be truly happy. If we do eventually get to that point, maybe we can help others get there as well. Side note unrelated: I have noticed that a majority of solo role-players on KZbin are left handed… just an interesting observation.

[@SaintSolo]

I wish my therapist would have been more like you, honestly sometimes by them not talking and just listening it's, not harmful, maybe hindering progress, my inner monolog is often a twisted mess of self manipulation, ego, waves of kindness, charity, manipulation of my relationships, disgust, procrastination, dread, guilt (catholic).., legitimate concern that I have a undiagnosed mental disability that would explain my lack of progress in what ive expected to become, blah blah, anyway, through a back and forth conversation and externally (and concisely) describing the internal monolog while being guided through scenarios by a like mind would have been far more helpful, in comparison to open ended questions and writing note on a pad

[@amanisalone]

You need a therapist that can call you on your shit and has strong masculine energy. You will probably dance circles around someone if they can't set limits on you. All humans need two things: LOVE and LIMITS. and some need it more than others. Also some modern therapy is actually made to keep you as a patient and not focus on growth. A therapist should want you to NOT need them anymore, not keep you there forever.

[@SaintSolo]

@@amanisalone Absolutely 💯%

[@cmdreltonpoole6303]

Gotta say, I'm 49 and sometimes I still struggle with this kind of thing. I was a fat kid too and I used to get the shit kicked out of me. I think there's still psychological damage from that in me, even after all of these years. I'm a ton better now, and I do like and crave my own company, but that's probably because deep down I think people are generally awful and I can relax when they aren't around to shit everything up.

[@amanisalone]

Growing up fat made me believe that people always saw my body first and then me, so I had to make my inner "Self" really big so that they wouldn't reject me before I could speak

[@b.lloydreese2030]

I am about to start doing some aolo rpg using shadowdark and don 't look back. No one i know wants to play with me. And the more i think about it, the happier it makes me because now i can create what i want without having to deal with other players. Will i miss out on the interpersonal? Yes, but is that a loss? Not necessarily

[@amanisalone]

Sometimes the love we can give is not the type of love other people can receive. You'll have time to share the interpersonal love with others, in the meantime show some love to yourself!! You'll be more ready when that group comes along asking you to play.

[@Turq623]

Another beautiful message that I'm lucky to have been privy to. What an amazing channel this has grown to be. Anyone that is -ing over whether or not to spring for the premium sub is doing themselves a great disservice by not pulling the trigger. By far the most valuable and rewarding content that I ingest. Love it!!

[@amanisalone]

Thanks Turq. And to think I use to film on an old...well actually I use the same camera. But yeah, what a fun thing. Let's enjoy it while it lasts!!! Having you and every here is the coolest part. It's like we have our own chat room on YT

[@whangbar]

As the immortal sage, Ice Cube, once pronounced: "Life ain't nothin' but bitches and money." Selah.

[@amanisalone]

"Today was a good day"

[@whangbar]

@@amanisalone I solo gamed (and didn't have to use my AK).

[@juauke]

I strongly relate to this 😢

[@juauke]

Something related to solo play, I recently found out about the Ultimate One Page RPG Toolkit on itch which is an inexpensive and really cool solo toolkit Just wanted to mention it

[@sirguy6678]

You’re never alone with a schizophrenic

[@FlintFireforge]

Good stuff!

[@liquefiedpork]

Why does the person in the thumbnail look sad? They get to eat a pile of chocolate cupcake icing....yum

[@amanisalone]

oh no...pork how much "icing" have you been eating recently?

[@liquefiedpork]

@@amanisalone a shit ton....?