Leaving the Hobby...SAY WHAT!?

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I know some people on hiatus. I myself almost left the hobby, only to be enchanted by the new sculpts...so here I am again.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Yes. I'm very occupied with real life activity. School, friends, boyfriend, parties, hanging out, shopping, et cetera et cetera... Other things seem to appeal to me more than dolls at some point so I decided to leave, but it didn't last long as I ended up getting a sculpt I really like.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
Yep I have...but it's cool my collection now only consists of dolls I've always wanted.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think? No I haven't

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why? Yes, well I just was annoyed with all the jokes and having yet another weird and (creepy to some) interest. I can't ever talk about dolls except on DoA, or else I get ridiculed or the dolls are called creppy, etc. Though I didn't leave (still here :P)
Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll? I wouldn't sell these two! not ever

 

Do you mean "leave the hobby" as in stop buying dolls, and doll stuff and not get on DoA or doll forums anymore... or do you mean "leave the hobby" as in.... selling all your dolls and doll stuff?

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
not personally, but the person who sold me the body for my second doll is going to leave the hobby soon. it's really kind of sad, especially when i know they spent a lot of time and effort on it, and now they're quitting. ultimately though, it's their choice, and i can only stand here and think, that's kind of sad.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
no, if you meant selling all my dolls. they've become companions, so even if i decide to not come onto forums for discussions and stuff anymore, i'll still have them. they're...just...close to heart now. dolls grow onto people. there are some periods of time when i think maybe i should leave the hobby cos i'm not really doing anything with my dolls, but heck, they're mine to do what i want with, and these thoughts go out of the window pretty fast.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
no. don't intend to either. i don't think life will be the same without them. it's just like when my friend says that she wants to quit and i ask her if she will ever hear to part with them, especially her first doll, and she said a very firm NO. that's how i feel too.

 

I think I knew some one who did jump out off the hobby. But I don't know.

I have thought about. Because people who were not in the hobby made a big deal about and would say rude things. I even put them the other house (My grandma and grandpa has two houses that are 3 yards apart. I am 14 so I live with them. Well did.) But I could only last an hour with out them.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
No, I haven't known anybody who has.
Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
No, because it's not a hobby to me. Collecting dolls is just a part of who I am.
Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
No.

 

I wonder if something that isn't what does it - it's easy to get very deeply invested (financially, but also emotionally by making new social connections or by becoming attached to the dolls, or just attached to the idea of it) in a new hobby very quickly and then lose track of what your natural limitations might be. If you're a person who's very all-or-nothing, then it almost follows that they'd fall out of the hobby as fully and as dramatically as they fell into it.

 

I have considered leaving the hobby a couple of times. But i know they make me happy. Its more so that I feel guilty about having them sometimes, and sometimes my peers make me think "Why have I put so much money into this?"

Especially now. I'm saving up to go to college. I pretty good with my money, when I know I need to save for something, I do it and never spend until that thing I'm saving for is paid for. But since I'll need to save up $4,000 for my course, I look at my dolls and say..."man if I hadn't bought you....I would be there already." And I think about all the things I could have bought myself had I not purchased my dolls in the first place. I tell you, I'd be a hell of a lot richer.

My friends and boyfriend also make me feel guilty about spending the money too. Whenever I talk about a new doll I like they immediately say "God, PLEASE don't buy another doll." And that turns me completely off about it, because I feel like I'm doing wrong. I know they think this hobby is a waste of money, but its what I like. Although sometimes they get me thinking to the point that selling my dolls is a good idea. I talk myself out of it though because I Love my dolls and couldn't part with them

Although If I had severe Financial issues I would sell them in a heartbeat. Dolls aren't worth going completely broke. The only way I'd sell them is if I didn't bond with the doll or I'm in a bad money jam. SO far I havn't had that so yeah! Go me!

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
>Yes several, sad that I never heard from them ever again.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
>no

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
>yes I did sell all my dolls eventually but in my case it's just that I couldn't afford the hobby anymore. Because of that I've taken breaks from the doll world but still I kept visiting DOA regularly (almost everyday XD).
I don't want to leave or take breaks from the dolly world but me and my partner had a very very hard time. What I regret most is that I sold my FCS 22 and I still miss her. I can't reorder her yet as I still don't have the proper funds.
Luckily I am able to adopt another Volks dolly (after almost 2 years ) at a lower price range inside Europe which saves custom charges.
I'm grateful that the seller accepted my layaway plan and that she offered her doll for such a reasonable price.
I don't think I can leave this dolly world as I discovered Volks Super dollfies when I was 17 and now I'm 25 and I still luv these dolls.
And I've been a DOA member for over 5 years now and it's the only forum I regularly visit online.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Nope! Then again, I know and keep in contact with very few fellow doll collectors. There is no reason for this other than I just havn't met that many people.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
I have thought about leaving and it was usually for a financial (non-crisis) reason. I have a long distance relationship with my boyfriend and visiting each other every few months can really get pricey (totally worth it! But pricy). I also need to pay for college on top of other things so it takes a huge chunk out of my income. Then I start to think about what I could do if I sell my dolls… and then my thoughts of leaving the hobby cease when I realize that I wouldn’t get far. My SD is one of the most precious objects I own (purchased before college and boyfriend came lol) and unless I absolutely had to sell her, I would keep her forever even if I “left” the hobby. So that leaves me with about $400 worth of mini and tiny doll left. That’d buy me one plane ticket. Money wise, it is not worth it to me and at that point I could probably scrape up those funds by selling other less-special things first.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
Nope! I have sold dolls, bought dolls… but I always had at least one doll with me for almost 4 years now.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Nope, but I have seen some people who have left and I was saddened by it, but nobody personally.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Honestly, yes, when I had a fair bit of money troubles. However, when I sat down and thought of actually putting these resin brats in a box and sending them off, the actual visceral reaction I had told me that I couldn't do it. So, I switched priorities around, and now we're fine again. Other than that, I couldn't do it. I love the world that has been created in my house, I couldn't give it up.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
Nope. Don't plan on it either.

 

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?

I have done this. I don't really regret it, and I would hardly say I'm "back" in the hobby, though I occasionally run a GO (if I'm ordering from a company and think others would be interested) but for the most part, I just check the marketplace and that's it. I don't take many pics of my dolls and they pretty much sit on my dresser and do nothing. I've recently thought about selling them all again, but that's not something I really want to do right now. I really enjoy the dolls I have and would like to get a few more, so we'll see.

I'd also like to add that I've been in the hobby since 2002/2003. Sometimes you just need a break. hehe

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I don't know anyone whos been in to the hobby and left. I know a girl who sold her dolls to buy new dolls but had a long period of time before she bought the new one because money was tight. But i dont know anyone whos left all together, only people who have gone on hiatus.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
I have. The busier i got the less time i spent with my dolls, i really considered selling them all but my boy Kael and just letting that be the end of it. I didnt have the money to keep up with the new dolls coming out, the ideas in my head, and my current dolls need for clothes/etc. I couldn't do it though, the dolls i currently have i've put so much of myself in to them, customizing, painting, changing, making them my own. Selling them would be like selling a part of myself. I dont know if i ever will be able to do that but currently i cant.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
No i havent. I have however sold dolls that didnt fit a character of mine, and that alone was hard enough to do, worrying if said limited doll would go to a nice home or not made it difficult.

 

My very close friend left the hobby and I'm still sad she did.....harmful thread....

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?

Ive seen posts and sales threads of people who have left. Like many others on the thread I wonder what made them come to such a decision. Everyone has reasons for taking breaks.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?

yes. There are times mostly not because of $ troubles but more because I just feel unmotivated to continue. Real life just can take over and you lose track of friends, meets, things that made you get into this activity in the first place. Things that made it originally fun. I have often had the theory.. if its not fun anymore, and its supposed to be... dont do it.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?

Well, Looking to my first doll, I had a real hard time picturing selling her to anyone, but I know I could if I had to. My Polly(Genesis) though, just means so much to me. And Honestly I dont think she is worth anything to anyone except me as she is very well loved/handled. I could see selling one or two of my others. I have never fully left the hobby, but I have been more or less on a break from local meets. I have started the process of thinning down my bjd clothing and accessories to just what I know my few dolls use a lot.

 

You know, whenever I read here someone saying how they still truly love their dolls and enjoy the hobby, but their friends/family/significant other are always putting them down for it and it makes them consider quitting, it really disturbs me. Take it from someone with a bit of years and maturity behind them...it's your hobby! If it brings you joy, don't listen to those who refuse to understand it. As long as there is food on the table and your bills are paid and you are not creating a fiscal crisis, they have no business making you feel guilty just because it's a hobby they themselves don't agree with. If they want to deny you something that truly makes you happy just because they don't "get it", what is that really saying about them?

For me, I'm staying put. I love my dolls, they bring me joy, and joy is pretty darned hard to come by in today's world. I would only leave if it ever ceased to make me happy...which I certainly don't see happening.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?

I "knew" (not personally) a person on another forum and she quit the hobby several times, and coming back a while back. Not with just one doll, but a lot at the same time.
I thought she didn't really think about it, when something doesn't work out, you shouldn't spend soo much money over and over again.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?

I have had the idea a few times, very short. My boyfriend made a big problem of my spending habits and the value of my "toys". At a few times he told me that my dolls would one day mean the end of our relationship. So it made me think things over. But in the end I decided that my dolls have become a special part of me and that I didn't want to let it go. I have changed the way I spent my money, but still, those dolls won't go soon

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?

Nop :p
Only sold one and a spare head.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?

No not personally, in the begining I saw a people here and there leaving for different reasons like cost, drama, new priority in life etc but I didnt really think anything about it.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?

I briefly considered it but then I realized that I could just cut back on the things that were annoying me , when I did that helped a lot and I enjoy the hobby much more.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll? No but I have seen others do this...

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I haven't known anyone personally; I've just seen some FS threads or signatures that proclaim the individual is leaving the hobby. It's just seemed a little strange to me, because I'm not sure why people would feel such a strong need to get everything BJD-related out of their lives ASAP; it seems like a lot of people treat it like a bad break-up or something.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
No. I don't consider falling out or fading away from a hobby to be the same thing as leaving it. I feel like there will come a day when I won't have any desire to buy things for my dolls, buy any more dolls, or do anything with them besides keep them in storage somewhere, but to me, that'll occur over time without any pomp and circumstance. It won't mean I think my dolls are any less beautiful or that the hobby is completely uninteresting, it'll just mean that my days of actively being engaged with BJDs will be over.

 

Ahh. I am leaving the Hobby myself, I am selling off a few dolls and putting the others in a cedar box for my children when I have them.