In my first year of playing, I remember being really unhappy if I didn't get the final event prize. I'd set alarms to wake up at night. I remember the conflict in my head about not being able to afford to buy a simple $10 play card to spend on donuts, because at that time I was unemployed and couldn't justify the expense.
Eventually I reached a point where I simply didn't want to give them money whether I could afford it or not, because I felt angry with EA. Like they were intentionally trying to gouge me with the ridiculous expense of their game.
THEN I finally reached a more rational conclusion, that their job is simply to keep providing content, mostly free but some at a cost. Once I took out the personal feelings, I no longer felt animosity. I also no longer felt compelled. The desire to obtain everything no longer needed to be suppressed because I didn't care anymore. Every feature can't even fit in the game once you've started hitting the feature cap, which I had as well. But even though they raised the limit, feeling remorse for not getting every little house and character seemed pointless. My town was still cute. The dialog was still funny. And in not caring about maximum achievement, I was able to play when I wanted, rather than it being a part time shift job with mandatory checking in every four hours or else!
Suddenly the game was fun and light and easy again. And I've played with this attitude for the last few years. So much easier on my mind.
Hopefully you will have an evolution of perspective that let's you enjoy the game again. We'll be here if it happens!
