Ever feel selfish for owning a BJD?

yeah, I couldn't afford it when I was in high school. My mom and sisters always said "Don't waste money and you even can't handle it by yourself!". Yes, it was totally right, so i stopped everything because i didn't want my family to be sad. But I can get a abillity to afford it for now! I think if you don't take your family, friends' money, we get to enjoy it!!

 

I went the budget/low end route with most of my dolls. Most of them are second hand and the the ones that are not are Mirodolls. I also got several of them as birthday and Christmas gifts so my actual investment in the resin isn't all that crazy. I have far more $$$ invested in my other dolls so far actually. By comparison my resin collection is modest even though I have a few BJD's now. Do I feel guilty? Um, no, not really.

There are a lot of things that I don't spend my $$$ on that a lot of people around me do without even thinking. My BFF spends $10 a day on COFFEE. Add that up over a month and the tab for her coffee habit is $280 and that's not even with donuts added to it and the lunches she buys out at work several days a week. She probably spends $400-500 a month on feeding herself at work. It's a bit absurd when you add it all up. The way I see it I have better things to spend my own $$$ on than supporting Starbucks, McDonald's etc. Because I have to watch my diet very closely I don't eat out often, maybe once or twice a month max, and when I do it's usually just McDonald's or a little pan pizza. 3/4 of the time I don't even pay for that because I end up making the trip for both me and someone else in my family or friends they won't let me pay when I am obliging enough bring them food too.

I don't buy new clothes very often except for underwear, t-shirts, sandals and sneaks once every year or so. When I do need regular clothing, except for those essentials, I thrift. I spend $4 on a "new" skirt, not $25. I use coupons like mad. I shop online to get the best prices on things I need like craft supplies. I recycle a lot of my old clothing into other things, like doll clothes. I scrounge doll supplies when I can or make them if I can. Other than used wigs I've actually not bought a whole lot for my dolls and even with the wigs I've been thrifty. I'm not buying $40 wigs, more like $5-15 wigs. I'm making most everything else for them.

When it comes to my dolls I can't really do much more to spend less really. Even when I am buying used dolls I'm not paying top price. I get older parts, parts with issues, and I pay far less accordingly. I know my limits, and I do a lot of lay-a-way besides so I can budget it. I always pay my bills first, shrug. I don't really tell people what I spend on BJD's or dolls in general. I don't feel I should have to answer to anyone that way. I'm an adult. It's my money and if I want to spend money on a new doll that's my decision to make. It's enough that I'm not breaking the bank doing it. I don't buy a lot of stuff actually that most people spend money on to be able to afford a doll every once in a while. It's a trade off but it's one I am willing to make.

A little doll therapy goes a long way when it comes making me happy. There are times when I really need it. I've actually had a very rough time health-wise for a while now. I've got autoimmune issues and I have been in major flare now I think for several years at least. My doctor keeps telling me that people do go into remission sometimes but apparently that's not something I can personally look forward to. When it comes to my illness there's ouch days, "OWWW!" days, and "F- Will somebody please shoot me already?" days. I don't have days where it doesn't hurt. I wish. I can't physically hack doing a lot of things I used to do. So I play with my pets, the dolls and I craft. It's what keeps me sane. No one can be in constant pain all the darned time and bear it without something to take their mind off it. The dolls are my stress relief and without them I'd probably go stark raving nuts. It's either dolls or Prozac and me, I'd rather spend money on dolls, not pills...

 

Actually yes I felt this way when I asked my husband for getting the doll, because it was like spending a lot of money just for a doll (if you can use it for something else) but really felt like I want it so badly. We also talked about the Doll, Money and the feeling of being selfish after talking with my husband went away. he also said it's okay to spend the money if it makes me happy and I really want to have the Doll and even the Doll was/is a late birthday present, I felt somehow selfish. I need to talk with my husband about money because it's the money of us, everyone of us have a hobby and interest so we try to support each other.

 

I felt more selfish for buying an artbook for my favorite game...Even though it was my own money and I had been getting talked and guilt tripped outta that thing for years...Selfish feeling passed when I realized I didn't give a darn...

 

I feel this way all the time. But there's other "wastes of money" so it think its okay.

 

No. Money is kind of tight for me at the moment but I've never spent more on my bjd or other interests beyond my means. I always make sure to take care of my own real needs and those of my pets first so I can't say that I feel guilty or selfish in any way.

 

Nope. Happily spending my nonexistent children's college money in a way that I enjoy.

 

most people spend a lot of money on things I would consider futilities. so no, I do not feel guilty for buying dolls.
I'll feel guilty when I can't pay for the important things anymore and have to borrow money because my doll habit has completely taken over.

I believe that we have to spend some money on enjoyments too (well, unless what you enjoy is 100% free, but most things aren't). if it was just "work to get money to get food and shelter to be able to live to be able to work to get money to get food...." and so on, life would be awfully dull and depressing. you have to allow yourself some fun in there too! as long as your priorities are well sorted and all the bills are paid, there is no need to feel guilt over your hobbies no matter how expensive they may be.

 

No. I have no regrets with my 5 1/2 dolls. They bring me so much joy and I'm not disregarding my responsibilities. Everyone in my family is into something, and I'm no exception. I don't feel selfish and I have no reason to.

To me, they are not "glorified toys". They are a creative outlet, a comfort, and completely worth my time. They are a type of therapy for me. I think that everyone deserves a hobby that they love. My family thinks its a bit odd, but they respect my love for dolls.

 

I sometimes feel guilty for spending quite a bit on dolls. I don't like to tell my family how much I spend because then they'll guilt me and I probably wouldn't buy another one if they found out. I have to keep telling myself that it's my money and I pay my portion of the bills and I pay for my schooling. I don't like to buy much for myself but when I do, it usually has to do with one of my hobbies.

 

I thought I might feel a bit guilty and selfish, but actually I didn't. I saved up for a ridiculously long time, looking at peoples' dolls, yearning for one of my own. And I only saved what was absolutely not needed elsewhere, hence it taking forever! I gave up all luxuries and treats, so when I finally bought my boy, even though he was really expensive and it felt a bit crazy to be spending so much on a doll, I felt like it was totally ok to do so. And I regret nothing!