#RPGaDAY2018 - Day 10: How has gaming changed you?

Gaming has done more than change me; it made me.


The following are what I believe to be the three big traits I developed thanks to gaming:

Performer

I consider myself an ambivert; I like being in social situations with big groups, but only for a few hours before I slowly feel like withdrawing somewhere. DMing has allowed me to channel this limited social energy to greater effect, and through it, I've developed a technique I like to call "Performer mode", which I can turn on and off depending on the social situation ahead of me. 

And I have a lot of fun when I'm keeping others entertained. Every time I DM, I put on a show for my players. I try to provide them with an experience by keeping them engaged. I do this in several ways, from putting on music to doing voices for NPCs.

Outside of gaming, I've been able to apply this every time I enter other social situations like parties, interviews, presentations, etc. 

Designer

As a DM, I'm fond of customizing the rules to accomodate my players. Sometimes I add new rules to keep things interesting. It's helped me develop a love for taking things apart to see how they tick and how I could make it my own. 


Leader

Like I said on Day 2,  I usually place myself in a spot where I can make sure everyone's having a good time, and often that has led me in a position of leadership. I make sure everything is organized, if we need tables, snacks, or even a place to play in, I'm generally the one making it happen. 

Of course, I'm not always leading for fun times. Sometimes I do it because I want a job well done. I'm not afraid of communicating with others, making decisions, planning ahead, and just generally get things moving.