Did you ever fight with yourself

Ugh yes. I am right now. I took a break from even looking at dolls for the last 5 or so months. (Mostly because of school and my mum saying that she doesn't completely agree with my getting a doll, when I talked to her about it when I was really close to getting one.)
Now I have more than enough money to get an MSD + all the fixings. (5 months ago, I didn't even have 50 bucks to my name lol)
Just got my first job and just turned 19... but I would still feel so guilty getting one with my own money just because my parents are paying my college tuition, with difficulty. I mean, it's not like my parents would even except my paycheck money to help pay the bills. My mother even feels guilty making me pay off my laptop the school required. I've been spending it on the ocasional Nendoroid or video game though, but just spending it on something more expensive at this time might ruin it for me... I'm just waiting for lut's winter event to decide if I'll go through with it.
But I just feel that the fact I still keep coming back to BJDs means that I won't regret it... it's just my parents' reaction I won't like... I don't want getting a BJD to make me regret.

 

I am constantly at war with myself internally about how this is a hobby that I don't need to be in, because it's expensive and I have so many other priorities in life that I might use the money on. But then I think about how the doll hobby is good for my sanity and I need some sort of outlet. It allows me to be creative and the dolls just make me happy. It's better than doing drugs, I always say. Some people have expensive shoes or handbags or jewelry--I was never into any of those things. We all have our own interests and pasttimes, so as long as I'm not hurting anyone and not neglecting my family, then it's all good.

 

The only internal battle that my mind has ever waged, was whether to invest my extra spending money in this hobby or one of my other ones! Which ever one I choose, I know I'll end up enjoying myself, so it's never really much of a fight ^^

The money may not go to putting food on the table, but it certainly feeds my soul! That's what is important to me, and it's more than enough of a reason to not worry about the expense.

 

Like many others on this post, I fight with myself over many purchases. It doesn't have to be just for this hobby. lol

 

It took me almost a year to finally buy my boy his first clothes! Sure, I got him a pair of shoes, but that was something I wasn't able to make myself. With clothes... I simply continued sewing for him, although it often depressed me, seeing how my handmade items weren't as pretty as the expensive ones stores offer. It's crazy, spending like that, but... I won't be able to take the money into the grave, either way, will I? Besides, what is money good for, if it can't make you happy?
(Well, the clothes still haven't arrived, so wish me luck! If I'm not satisfied with it, it'll probably be the end of me.)

 

I still haven't had this battle with myself when it comes to BJDs, but I HAVE had it with a lot of other hobbies. Me and hobbies are a pretty unstable business all in all as I tend to jump from one thing to the other, then back again, then forget everything about that and start with other things. I recently had a fight with myself over lolita clothes and it ended with that I bought myself another skirt. But when that arrived it simply didn't make me happy in any way so I put it in my closet with the rest of my dresses and I haven't worn any of those clothes since.

So I simply think that the day I don't get happy from looking at my dolls or getting a new one, then there's no reason for me to keep on buying them. But luckily for me I don't see that day coming anytime soon.

As for being eccentric enough to own dolls... I don't think I'm the right one to say anything there. I've always dressed "weird", acted "weird", and have "weird" interests (when I was 10 my big brother told me I would end up as "one of those black clad satanist freaks".. I'm 21 now. Well. I'm not a satanist at least.). Even my boyfriend thinks I'm weird. I'm also one of those who enjoys anime and cosplaying. But even though I'm like this I don't look down at those who are more "normal" who wants to own dolls. This is a hobby for everyone, and everyone will act it out in different ways. Some likes to play with their dolls a lot, customize them and take photos. Others keeps them in their boxes and are just happy to have them. Some enjoys making displays while others collects limited editions.

There's no wrong way in doing this hobby and if you want one, get one. And if it makes you happy then this hobby is definitely for you.

 

I do this every time I get ready to buy a doll. One of my issues with it is that I don't do anything with my dolls, and I feel like if I want decorations for my house, I should buy art for my walls instead. Or invest in a display cabinet, so at least they won't be just sitting on a bookshelf. I've always planned to learn to take pictures of them, but I'm too lazy to even research what type of camera/light set-up I need.

Another problem I have is that I feel like I should save this hobby for when I'm older. And, by "older", I mean middle-aged/elderly. There are many things people can do while they're young that they can't when they're old, but dolls are great for any age. For instance, I look young enough to wear Gothic/Lolita clothes now and not look 100% ridiculous, but I won't 10 years from now. This goes for a lot of other types of clothes as well. Once people hit 40-50, most can't wear the same things they wore in their 20s-30s. So, I feel like I should spend more on clothes right now. I'm really cheap about clothes/shoes for myself, and part of this is due to spending money on dolls. Anime conventions are another example. I'm not a huge fan of cons, but I wonder if once I'm too old to go to them if I'll regret not going. (I know there's no age limit, but it's awkward being the old person in a group.)

Despite this, I doubt I'll permanently leave the hobby any time soon. There's nothing quite like getting a new doll! I do need to sell more, though, so they don't become overwhelming.

 

I used to be in your shoes.

To some point, it is very exciting to finally own a doll. (Finally found a cause to save my money up :P) But then, there are also other things that I want to buy or I need to buy. According to some people around me, buying doll at that price is worthless, they just act as home decoration most of the time. It is more useful if I save up to buy new computer, new tablet, or new car. I know it is an expensive hobby right from the start, especially since I have to struggle until I can finally own one.

However, I had a different opinion:

1. Personal satisfaction and enjoyment
That is the most important use, I think. Basically the same with other tertiary needs. Some people are satisfied when they own a car. But I think I'm happier when I own a doll. Just the same when some people like to collect rare breed dogs, others may prefer to collect limited edition doll~ XD

Really like April's comment below:

2. A limitless creativity enhancer
A doll can be your makeup model if you like to do faceup. You can put your creativity into this since it can be changed anytime and just like whatever you want~ A doll will be a handy pose model for your drawing, your mannequin, and to some extent, it can be your friend / life companion. Dolls clearly are not as noisy as children

 

I feel like you sometimes :/ but mostly because I want 2 dolls (I think that one could feel lonely since I have no other doll at home) but they costs too much...I saved some money this summer for taking 2 but I think "what if I need them for other things?" like christmas gift or books or university fees that my mom can't pay..
anyway when I see those dollies I can't resist, they make me feel happy well actually I do resist cause they're sold out but when and if they'll be in shop again I'll be the first to buy xD

oh I see you're waiting for capellini, timps are cute *-*

 

I think I get too attached to the state of !I want this doll! and never reconsider until it's on the way. At least that was the case until I got to the 10-dolls-mark. Now I lost the urge to get new dolls. I guess they are complete now.

 

Oh my God, yes. Do you know how long it took me to order my doll? Six months. (This was a limited edition doll, by the way. Thank God it was made by a tiny little company or it would have been gone in no time at all.) I told myself, "You don't need a frigging doll. You do not. That is senseless. Look how much money it is, not just for the doll itself, but for eyes and wigs and dresses and face-up supplies. Look at the time it will require, and look at how big it is--do you really need more stuff in your closet? Besides, this is probably just a passing fancy. You're already spending enough money on your animals as it is." So I closed the tab the doll was in and I left.

But I kept going back to the page where the doll was--about once a month. I would think about it up at work and feel a pang of terror, then run home to see if it had sold out yet. Finally, I just said, "SCREW THIS" and I bought it. At a terrible, terrible time, no less.

But now it's mine and I regret nothing!

You know what else is nice? I don't make much money, so I have to buy doll supplies very slowly. You know, it gives me something to look forward to? And that's the nicest thing about this hobby, the long waiting for the exquisite and wonderful items, looking forward to taking yet another step in learning how to care for the doll, prettify the doll, sew the clothes. It's just a fun, refreshing, and unique hobby and I'm really glad I picked it up.

 

I know how you feel. I want to keep collecting various dolls from different companies so I can have a awesome collection, but I'm not into dolls like some people I know. Not to sound shallow, I'm just a typical guy who you would never thought to be into dolls, anime, or stuff, but I really love them all. I guess I'm a bit shy and don't wanna be prosecuted for liking something that's not guy-like.

 

@SageCrimson: Cool, you're a guy? I kept wondering if there were guys on this forum. I love seeing the diversity in doll owners.

 

yes,i did and still,so many time... just similar to what u said at start,and that feeling just awful when u really really strongly feel that u want sth and u must get it but got a lot to consider about like u can never get it.and that kind of struggling really torturing me...yeah,and totally agree to what queenobvious said as a daughter part..Orz

 

I go through phases where I am absolutely in doll-love, and other phases where I think I need to give up the hobby. Honestly, I'm not in the financial position where I should be buying endless expensive dolls, but I don't drink, smoke, or spend money on much else other than bills anymore, so sometimes I feel like it is alright to spend on myself. It has just taken me awhile to learn to keep things in check; I really had a problem with "retail therapy" and buying things to feel better when depressed. But that actually lead to more guilt, and more spending, and more guilt, etc. I'm really trying to focus on appreciating the dolls I have now, though admittedly, it is easy to fall for a doll here and there.

 

I'm fighting with it right now. I'm saving up for one currently, but I keep second-guessing myself.

I think it's because I'm very frugal and don't like spending money on anything. xDDD I always do the same thing when I buy a new game, a new pair of shoes, etc.

 

I fight myself about the size of my projected collection. I currently sit at 7 dolls, with an 8th on the way.

I feel like that's *way* to many for me, however I have more dolls I 'want' to 'test' out. But I can't seem to feel okay getting rid of any of the ones I have, and I feel guilty about wanting to get more. Which in turn leads me to feel guilty about having any dolls at all. And makes me wonder if I really do like this hobby as much as I say I do. Or if I'm just trying to justify to buy pretty things.

 

*sighs* i'm fighting with myself right now, i've had, such a..devastating.. disappointment, with, being unable to purchase a doll head, my first foray into this hobby, becuase i am a DAY to late to get him..... now, i am not sure, i want to get, any others.. becuase i am honestly, that upset, i think, any other i get, will just.. remind me.. of the one i won't be able to get.... pretty much, ever...... he's not one, who is going to show up in the marketplace...... *sighs*