[hef19898]

Back the day I played a bit, the old Star Wars D6 (still my preferred system and universe, I'm a total EU nerd) and the German DSA. That being said, finding a group with a similar playing style is a challenge. RPGs do help a lot so when it comes to moderating and participating workshops and the like in professional life.

Without a group, and without the time, I ended becoming kind of a single player role player. More like developing stories for some character concepts and the corresponding world building. It is a distraction, after 8 hours plus clued in front of a screen watching a movie or gaming is not as interesting most of the time as it used to be. And it helps in developing story telling skills, which are helpful as well. And fun, not that I ever want to become an author (my ability to create unique worlds suck, I'm much better working with existing stuff), but I do like it a lot.

I agree that this is me balancing a solo, creative activity against social interactions. For someone struggling with social interactions in general I'd not advice it as a main activity.