Do you hide your hobby from certain people?

My family gets me, supports me. They know this is all an extension of who I am, an expression of beauty and adventure, and love of photography! The expense of the hobby can be an issue if I’m not careful to spread purchases out, lol. But friends and co-workers? Not so much. I’m older, and most older people of my generation consider the hobby silly at best. They all put away their Barbies and babydolls years ago as I did. But for me . . . those childhood dreams and fantasies, mixed with some great gothic and historical romance, was always lurking, waiting for the perfect time. The perfect doll. Anyway, to each his/her own, right?

 

Well, I was planning to keep it from pretty much everyone for a while - bar my boyfriend and a couple of friends who have similar interests. But my boyfriend decided to blurt it out when we were round for dinner with my family last night. I'm not ashamed - I just knew my family wouldn't 'get it' and, as I haven't even received my first doll yet, I wanted some time to peacefully enjoy the hobby without having to deal with fielding incredulous questions or teasing/disapproval, which I knew was coming my way at some point. People really do seem to have certain preconceptions about the word 'doll'...

 

To some degree. I used to be mortified about someone I didn't like teasing me about it. These days I just feel like I'm way too lazy to deal with the drama. Those who know me well know about this hobby and that's what matters.

 

To be honest, at this point I figure that if someone is going to be weird and judge-y about my hobbies they're not worth keeping around.
I don't want to be having to defending the things that make me happy to my friends. It's fine if they don't get it, but they need to at least be respectful.

 

I actually do hide it from some people, or better I don't mention it to them. My parents obviously know, we live really close to each other and they visit often and they noticed I turned what once was the dining room into a craft room They really like that I get to express my creative side again and that this hobby is somewhat helping me with my depression and anxiety by shifting my focus to something else. Some of my co-workers know "I paint dolls" that's it, nothing more they're answer was a just as simple "oh, okay cool". Realtives and friends (beside the ones in the hobby) don't know about it. I would love to tell everyone, but I must keep it real, I just don't feel as comfortable sharing it with some people, and I don't see some of my friends joining in, so I just don't but it's not like I feel I have this huge secret to hide. I just share it with whomever I want, because that's what works for me. so, you do you, share it with everyone, with some or none, as long as you're comfortable with it, you're not hurting anybody and you're happy with your choice you're doing the right thing

 

Not a whole lot of people in my life know about this hobby. I'm pretty private, and I prefer it that way, honestly. Maybe if I ever get around to sculpting my own doll, that will change, but atm I'm ok with being "in the closet" about it.

 

Only thing I usually hide is the price

 

I don't openly tell people unless I'm close with them but if someone were to ask I wouldn't hide it. I'm just not gonna be the one to bring it up most of the time.

 

I kind of do hid it from my family because they wouldn't understand about how much they cost. They ha e seen my dolls but i dont talk about them much. My friends know. If a friend is rude or condescending (besides maybe light teasing) about it they aren't really your friend. Normally if someone thinks its odd they change their mind once they see the dolls and culture for themselves.

 

Yes...my dad.
He is not an open minded person and always too hard to conversing with. It’s not easy for him to accept something “unusual” according to him and when he knew it he will definitely bla bla bla you all along the day and night, tried to change your mind. Especially he doesn’t like to see me spending such a hug amount of money on my hobby, what does he want for me it’s always study study study in his way. Now I’m adult now and still don’t want to share my hobby with and still think it’s hard to start a communication with him.

 

It's not been a problem for me. I don't make friends easily in the first place, so I trust that the ones that've hung on for this long won't judge me for such a harmless thing. If they do, I have no issues burning a few bridges. =P Having negative people in your life isn't worth it.

@Khloverra I totally understand about judgmental family. It's the one thing you can't really escape one, barring going completely no-contact. Hopefully you've at least put some healthy distance between yourself and him these days. =)

 

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience introducing your hobby...

People can be mean...

I hide this hobby from literally everybody...but that's only because I'm afraid of people in general...

 

I have several good friends who have been to my place and know about my dolls, but only my friend who also has a BJD knows how much I spend on them. I don't discuss money with anyone. I'll tell all about my collection if anyone asks, but their cost is my business.
I've only had one family member come to my place and see my dolls. My brother came to visit, and he knew that I used to collect Barbies. He had no idea that I collect BJDs now, or even what a BJD is. I didn't say anything, and when he saw my shelf full of SD size BJDs he said, "What happened? You have giant Barbies." I just laughed and said nothing. He didn't ask any more about them. If he knew how much I spend on them he would probably give me a stern lecture. LOL

 

I don't talk about how much I spend on them either. I generally don't talk about my dolls much at my volunteer work, but I've dropped the fact that I could use a particular left-over bit of yarn 'to knit a doll sweater' and so far none of my co-workers batted an eyelid.
Generally I don't bring it up. I just tell people that I have 'too many' craft-related hobbies. If anyone visits my house and sees the craft room, generally the dolls (who are packed together in two cabinets) go almost unnoticed between the dollhouses, books and boxes of supplies.

 

Anyone who is close to me in my life has either been accepting or curious about my hobby. Most of my friends are either very creative or artists too. People like my family who I'm close to and don't really understand/feel comfortable around them have been respectful about them because they see my girls as a creative outlet for me when I'm feeling down and have learned to appreciate them...but from a distance

 

Lol! Agreed.

I’m getting there. And the more dolls that join my life, the more joy they bring, the less I care if others understand my hobby.

 

I am pretty open with my slight obsession over BJDs - but I don't talk to a lot of people in first place. I do post my doll projects, (sewing and crafting and so on) to facebook and generally speaking those who comment are positive and if they don't like it they are polite enough to let it be without bashing it. I've only had one comment of "woah that's creepy."

I don't talk about price openly though... That's between me and my wallet (and my mom and boyfriend because they are often involved in my purchases in some way, lol).

 

Yeah, my Mom def gets me. Husband gets it too, except the money part. Buy he sees how happy I am when I’m working with my dolls, so he’s eased up a bit. But everyone appreciates the photos and the crafty things I do for and with them.

 

Yes I hide my hobby from many people. I was bullied (by fully grown adults who should have known better) in a workplace environment when one of them (who feigned genuine interest) shared my doll picture instagram with coworkers. I deleted that account when I found out and lost thousands of pictures. Needless to say, I don't work there anymore.

My friends and my immediate family know. They think it's cool and see how it helps my anxiety/depression/OCD. In my opinion, nobody else neds to know.

 

Wow, I fear that happening. I’m on instagram and wonder, ya know? I am so sorry that happened to you. But all of this, talking to you and others, strengthens my perceptions. If you break it down - it’s a hobby collecting beautiful things. ❤️