EDIT: Thank you all so much for your thoughtful input. It means so much to me.
Hi, all. I’m looking to change my nasty tendency to be a sore loser, particularly when playing games. I tend to personalize losses that are of no consequence. When the game starts to shift against me, I often stop trying as hard because it feels hopeless. My partner is much more proficient at board games than I am, and I don’t want this toxic trait of mine to make games less fun for us. What are some things you all tried to lessen this train of thought, if you’ve experienced it?
Honestly, a massive one for me is not letting myself get angry at a game I can’t hope to understand or master at a highly competitive level. I do a lot better at recognizing these days when I am intellectually or physically incapable of getting better quickly at a game - my mind shifts these activities outside of a competitive mindset and more to a leisure mindset.
When I’m not trying to actively compete against others to a point of pride, suddenly I’m a lot more receptive to incremental growth at my own pace