How do you justify the amount of time everquest requires? How do you play the game?

[Safon]

So lately I've been considering just how much time I need to invest in eq to keep progressing; I am lvl 57 and it takes hours and hours just to earn a few blues of experience (not to mention the time investment for raiding). And that's if things don't go wrong during the process [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I love the game, but it seems more and more like an incredible time eater lately (just IMO of course). I guess it was designed thus way, as more time spent equals more money spent, or did during live. And if I'm not logging on frequently, I'm not contributing much to my guild, and my relationships with friends and guild mates deteriorate.

Is it really possible to play this game casually? Especially at the high end?

Is there even such a thing as true casuals on p99?

To those with serious rl commitments who play, how do you personally go about spending your time in the game?

Maybe this is a dumb topic/question, but I figured I'd ask anyways. Thanks for any input/ feedback