I know exactly where you are coming from, @WBRBloom.  I hit 47 years old, earlier this year and was like I have been in the GW world for almost 30 years. Lots of Highs and Lows in the gaming world and personal life.  Sometimes, I want to quit the game, hobby, and move on. Then I am back in. 

One of the stories that I would like to share is:

I got into the Hobby during my late into Senior year in High School, earlier that school year I began dating a long time female friend and she would become my HS Sweetheart and eventually Fiancé. We would break up not long after our 1st year of College. My Friend and I gamed at our FLGS alot. It kept me sane and helped me recover from the break up. In 2023 my HS Sweetheart reconnected. She was happy to hear I was still gaming. We are now married. And the FLGS Owner decided to retire and close up shop. Before the store closed, I went in and tell him about how his store meant so much to me, how it helped me recover from the break up, having a safe place to get away from, and all the memories I had that he help create and I was going to miss it. I was teary eyed and told him saved me.  I then told him she was now my wife.  He smiled and said so everything works out in the end. 

@W.A.Rorie, I really appreciate that you've shared this here, and thank you for doing so.

This is one of the things that still 'sweep me off my feet', that after so many years in the hobby, there are still stories like yours, which remind me how much more the hobby is: it is not the plastic crack that we hoard, nor the glue we sniff or the brushes we lick. It is the people that make it what it is, the community, places such as B&C, and what brings us together. Maybe is the autumn that's getting closer, maybe not, but your story made me feel a warmth inside.

I'm really glad that everything worked out for the best. Really happy.

Quote

'I am no longer interested in newer editions of Warhammer 40k, as I have more years in the hobby behind me, than I have in front of me'.

I will admit this is pretty based. But you kids kill me. 47 is the new 37 maybe even younger. You are dangerously close to having half your life left which means if you can survive your 40's (not everyone can) you've got a heck of alot left.

Oh, definitely @Adeptekon, I couldn't agree more! I just wonder that in a world where everything tends to be just consumption rather than essence, how long one might remain relevant.

I simply found that, in my case at least, I will take stability wherever I can find it. If this is from a wargaming edition, so be it! Is it my way of controlling things in my life? Perhaps! Do I have the rest of my life in front of me? Maybe, maybe not!

Can I moan about how old I am and how things were better 'back in my day' from the age of 19? Abso-diddly-doodly!

"Back in my day the Models were Pewter or Pewter/ Plastic Hybrids. a Squad of 10 marines was 300 points before gear. Terminators had to buy teleporters. And the stores banned Vortex grenades!"  

I think this is why I have a fascination with Necromunda and it is my escape from 40k sometimes. It harkens back to the older games with smaller armies.  

What you said, @W.A.Rorie, reminded me of this!

YUP

My first army was only 12 models and I played Imperial Guard... 

Eldar, Imperial Guard, Dark Eldar... all those became codephrases so we can identify our own.

14 hours ago, WBRBloom said:

Oh, definitely @Adeptekon, I couldn't agree more! I just wonder that in a world where everything tends to be just consumption rather than essence, how long one might remain relevant.

 

I simply found that, in my case at least, I will take stability wherever I can find it. If this is from a wargaming edition, so be it! Is it my way of controlling things in my life? Perhaps! Do I have the rest of my life in front of me? Maybe, maybe not!

 

Can I moan about how old I am and how things were better 'back in my day' from the age of 19? Abso-diddly-doodly!

Yeah I'm not knocking anyone who has grown up and tired, just adding some perspective . I'm still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up after all these years, maybe I'll figure it out before retirement. Maybe in my case it has something to do with all that lead dust I got all over my fingers from handling those minis from the 80s. Kept me youthful in the brain?

Of course @Adeptekon, and I did not take any offence. 

It is funny that you said that you are still trying to decide what you want to be. It reminds me one of my favourite 'songs', (which is basically an article by Buz Luhrman read by Lee Perry over music) 'Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)':

'Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.'

Thank you for sharing @WBRBloom and @W.A.Rorie. Maybe are the painkillers in my system talking but I love to hear stories like that and I think the good memories of our hobby and of course our life too are what give us the strenght to survive our darker days. The hearth in which we stay warm during the long nights.

Oof! That quoted comment hit me hard. I’m 54 and have been hobbying in the GW world since 1988 when I first picked up Rogue Trader. Based on family history I too have a much shorter section of hobby road remaining to journey on.

The GW universe was always a creative outlet for me and a way to decompress from life. It’s been a part of me for so long that I doubt I will let it go as long as the eyesight holds up. However, living with the moments of nostalgia from memories of now departed gaming friends is a thing and to a degree it puts a damper on excitement for new editions and new miniatures. I can paint and play as time permits. Re-igniting the spark of excitement for the next version without having some of the inner circle of hobby friends I grew up with has been challenging. Accepting that I have less than half my life left is sobering.

This has been top of mind a lot recently as I debate getting back into the 40K side with 11th edition. It may be 12th edition before I figure out what I want to do!

1 hour ago, Shard of Magnus said:

Oof! That quoted comment hit me hard. I’m 54 and have been hobbying in the GW world since 1988 when I first picked up Rogue Trader. Based on family history I too have a much shorter section of hobby road remaining to journey on.

 

The GW universe was always a creative outlet for me and a way to decompress from life. It’s been a part of me for so long that I doubt I will let it go as long as the eyesight holds up. However, living with the moments of nostalgia from memories of now departed gaming friends is a thing and to a degree it puts a damper on excitement for new editions and new miniatures. I can paint and play as time permits. Re-igniting the spark of excitement for the next version without having some of the inner circle of hobby friends I grew up with has been challenging. Accepting that I have less than half my life left is sobering.

 

This has been top of mind a lot recently as I debate getting back into the 40K side with 11th edition. It may be 12th edition before I figure out what I want to do!

With how long you've been in the game I think you know you can do whatever you want. I personally don't care what edition is current nor what books says this or that. I take what I like from the buffet and that's my 40k. I hope you can find some way to enjoy it your way well into your senior years.