Tips on How to Not Be Salty

I'm going to be honest. I like to pretend that I'm a good League player and that I'm full of sunshine and sprinkles and giggles, but I'm not. I, like a -lot-... Not all, not most, but A LOT of League players am incredibly and increasingly toxic the more I play League. Excuse time? Nope. If I'm tired and toxic, I should just not play and get rest. Hungry and toxic? I should stop playing, eat, and chill. Toxic from dealing with toxicity, you say?

Well that's simple. Use 'ignore' and continue playing.

Truth is, I'm not even that great a player. On a good day, I'm anywhere from Silver III to Gold V. On a bad day? Wood V to Bronze I. Most of my days are bad days. I rage at top, I rage at mid, I rage at jungle or bot. Whatever it is, it's not me, and it's their fault. In some cases, I'm (Partially.) correct. In most, I'm just toxic 'cause I'm loosing.

So to this I say no more. No more! I'm a self-proclaimed baker, so I'm going to turn this salty and toxic sourbread into a wonderful cupcake. It's not going to be easy. Or fast. Or pleasant. But I -will- do it, or I'll stop playing League. Other people don't need to suffer because I'm too much of a coward to try and change how I react, and other people do not need to be put down because I'm being toxic. With this in mind, how about a list of things I'm going to try, and suggest trying for other people?

1: Take a breath when you're losing lane. It's frustrating to me when I get wiped in lane, be it from amazing ganks or just not being able to match the laner's skill. Take a breath, step back from the computer for a moment if you need to. A chipped tower is better than a bad game. Try to approach the problem from a new angle, and work WITH your team to secure a turnaround.

2: Team isn't cooperating? Take a breath, let it go. This is what gets me more than anything. I've had teams that work well for the first 4 minutes, but utterly fall apart when faced with a team that has superior teamwork. Just do your best, make smart ping calls, and warn them away from bad mistakes. Like Baron at 15 minutes with 3 people and the enemy team is all up.

3: If you don't feel like you can take a bad game, DON'T PLAY IT! It's a simple rule, but a hard one to follow. I've often put myself into game after game because I've wanted to grind for X, or help Y friend with their objectives... But if you don't feel like the game, nothing is going to turn you salty and sour faster than playing ANOTHER game! Learn your own limits, and take ample breaks between games. Don't let the frustration build.

4: It helps to have some physical relief. Only thing I can suggest here is that, instead of being toxic... Punch a pillow, scream at a wall, or rip up an old T-shirt. Nothing makes me angrier than when I don't do anything and just let it all build up. Anything is better than demolishing my mouse and keypad every time I throw my mouse down after failing miserably at my job.

5: Admit defeat, not surrender. Team doesn't want to surrender 1/4? Probably a reason to it! Admit that you're doing something wrong and that your team MIGHT be able to pull through because -they- haven't given up hope. I've won (And lost.) games that were so bad, we had two inhibitors down. Even if you're definitely losing, don't blame your team for not surrendering 2/3. Just take a breath, try to get those last few kills, and take a break after the game to cool down.

Moral of the story is to not let yourself get too worked up. Irelia toplane? "Well damn... Jungler, can I get some early help?" Jungler doesn't help, then just work with what you have and let him pull the rest of the team through to carry their lanes. Some people will always be salty / sour / even toxic... But don't let yourself fall into that category even if other people have. This community is what -we- make it.

P.S.: This is meant more for myself than anyone else, but if it helps you... Yay!