Leaving the Hobby...SAY WHAT!?

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

I don't know anyone personally, but it greatly surprised me when the BJD Cast on YouTube said they were leaving the hobby. It was kind of heartbreaking to me to think that investing so much love, time and money into such a hooby, even making videos and stuff, and then just.. leaving. Know what I mean? I don't want to offend anyone with my comments, I hope I don't!
The thing is what makes BJDs different than other hobbies such as sewing and knitting is that when you have a doll, you tend to attach feelings to it because of its human resemblance (and other reasons of course). At least that's in my case...
But I guess people just... move on.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?

No, I've never thought of it, and I hope I never get the idea! I love my babies too much C:

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

Nope :3

 

it sickens me that anyone would leave the hobby

 

That's an odd thing to say. I mean, it's a hobby. Whether or not someone else is buying dolls or actively participating in the doll community is up to them - why would you have a sense of moral outrage about it? I mean, I suspect that if someone told you that they once collected stamps, but had sold their collection off, you wouldn't feel "sickened" about *that*

 

I've heard of folks saying they are leaving the hobby...but then eventually return, if even in a limited aspect. I don't think folks ever really "leave" something they truly enjoy. Kind of like pets...if you enjoy having pets, if they make you happy, you will most likely have one...be it a dog, a cat, a bird or something smaller even yet...like a hamster. You love them. You always stop to say hello to the kitty walking by or pet the overly exhuberent dog wanting to give any stranger a kiss. You enjoy seeing pics of animals ...just because. If you got out of the "hobby" of pets then you wouldn't go out of your way to even see a pic or pet that friendly dog walking by. Same with dolls (IMHO), if you're in the hobby because of the joy, even if you had to sell your last doll...I don't think you'll ever totally be "out" of the hobby. You'll find yourself scoping the doll boards and retailers online to see doll pics. Then when the time is right (and the money is there)...BAM...you've done it...you've got a new doll. I used to collect fashion dolls. Stopped buying them and even stopped visiting the boards as much for a few years. But that revamping time is what got me into collecting BJD's. I'm not overspending now by buying every fashion doll that came out new. I'm actually now enjoying my dolls (and I only have 2 resin BJD's). I actually DO play with them. I just grew and matured with the hobby...that's all. I don't collect fashion dolls anymore and am slowly dwindling my previous fashion doll collection down. I don't really enjoy them anymore, but I still enjoy looking at pics of them done artistically. So my love of dolls didn't go away, it just changed to a different type of doll and I now spend dolly money a little more wisely now. JMHO and my story.

(P.S. Just using the pets as an analogy about love and what brings us joy. Pets are obviously a true responsibility and dedication if you actually have them in your family.)

 

You do know that The BJD Cast was only kidding when they said that? You could not have finished watching that particular vlog. If I remember correctly that was April Fools Day.

 

There's nothing wrong or even all that unusual about people getting into and out of things. I admit that the BJD hobby seems like a stranger hobby than most to fall out of, strictly due to the emotional, monetary, and creative investments a lot of users put into their dolls. However, people change, and they change their minds even more frequently.

Personally, in my 2-3 years of BJD involvement, I have been able to discover my tastes. For example, I found out that SDs are too big for me, that pukis, while adorable, are too small for me and my clumsy hands, and that I require some features in a doll's body to be able to enjoy the doll (mostly issues of joints and proportions). It's possible to change your mind a lot within the hobby, so I can see where someone could change their mind about the hobby entirely and want out. Personally, I hope that never happens to me; I want my dolls around forever, especially now that I have a better idea of what I want in a doll!

 

It can happen and does happen. I don't know anyone who's left the hobby, but I don't know many local people in general who are in the hobby. And I would have to know know them, before I'd consider knowing them well enough to be concerned they left the hobby.

I left the hobby myself for almost a year. I went from having 6 dolls to two. Having sold any that I didn't bond with. I never stopped enjoying their artistry, but couldn't find interest with them otherwise and couldn't connect with other collectors well enough to keep my interest alive through friendship. When I first began the hobby a friend and I started it together and we aren't friends anymore, and that's not a loss in any aspect other than I don't have any one else willing to create stories and bounce ideas off of anymore. The board is very public, and large, sort of like a mall of people all having conversations none of which some are a part of at all. I found meet-ups to be a lot like that as well.

The two that I kept were very neglected and gathered dust (which has since been washed away). Now I'm reorganizing. Taking more time and thought with what I want. I don't go to meetup, but if I'm somewhere dolls may be then I bring one of my boys. I still enjoy the pictures, the stories, the excitement of those so deeply involved in the hobby.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I knew someone left the hobby after they have babies and family. I just think people can choose what they need in life, people need different things in different stage, it's not a big problem to me. Maybe I will choose to leave the hobby too.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Yes, I always think of leaving the hobby, it's because I spent much money in this hobby. I think I will have baby in the future, I need money to buy a house and build up my family, so I have to choose, of course it's not easy to make decision.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
I had sold some of my dolls, it's just because there's no more space in my room to keep so many dolls, so I have to choose some for sale.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I know a couple of people who have left the hobby. One case was apparently due to the financial situation, the person sold all her dolls due to an emergency and in order to deal with personal problems - which also meant she couldn't focus on the hobby as she wanted.
Another person I know sold her dolls to go on a trip. However, I don't think she's left the hobby as such, but is instead on standby. I think she'll be buying dolls again eventually when she has earned some money for it.

In both cases I don't mind - it's people's own choice, and I understand them.

Regarding the first person, who used to do some very cool things but ended up kind of ... fretting and losing touch of her style; instead copying other's ideas, I think it's sad, because she's talented, but doesn't use her talent; she gets distracted. So maybe it's good for her to take a break. ^^


Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Yes, I have considered the thought every once in a while, for a couple of reasons. Here they go, in no particular order:

One is, honestly, I have dolls for quite a bit of dough. If I sell the dolls, I would have several thousand dollars, and I sometimes consider what I could be spending those money on instead. I could buy me a vintage car if I wanted, or go on some extravagant vacation, or refurbish my apartment, etc.

This links up with being inactive in the hobby every once in a while (they're just sitting there anyways - could they be liquidated and be used for something that'd make me more happy?), due to a couple of reasons:

1. Feeling insufficient. I see so many beautiful dolls and talented people within this hobby, that it makes me feel poorly skilled - I feel I can't create as beautiful things as they can. Then I feel that I have no talent and my dolls are 'amateurish', and I just want to quit. I have perfectionist tendencies, and I am unfortunately often too hard on myself, and hence I expect myself to be very very good. Instead I try to just relax and thinking of getting enjoyment out of my dolls, and not just competing with other participants in the hobby.

2. Too many dollies! The past year I have purchased a lot of dolls (and sold some of them again). Sometimes I get kind of confused/exhausted because there are so many; I need to find the exact right items and clothes for them; mod them as I want them to be; paint them to exactly resemble the character in my mind; do all the funny details like scars, tattoos, body blushing etc. I know it's a luxury problem, but I always kind of fret when going to meetups, because I don't know who i'd like to bring along. It was easier back when I only had a couple of dolls. XD

Due to the latter I am also considering every once in a while selling most of them, and only keeping a couple. Starting over anew, kind of. But then I don't know who i'd like to sell, and I end up keeping them. XD


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

No, I haven't, but as seen above, I have considered it, and I think it would be great to try some time - take a break, and then come back and start anew.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
No. I've never personally never known anyone who left.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Yes. I always lacked money to purchase clothing or other accessories to improve their looks. Plus, I thought I would bond with my dolls but I never did.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
Yes, I left the hobby for a few years. I sold all my dolls because I just never connected with the dolls I had. I just wish I went with the one dream doll that I wanted and stuck with her, but instead I decided to purchase others. Now, I purchased my dream doll. So I'm back in this hobby.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I dont know anyone personally who had left the hobby BUT I've seen people people selling all their all their stuffs and announcing that they're gonna left the hobby.

The first thought I always has is "How can they leave the hobby?!?" But later I'll forget all about it, cause it's not really my business.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Not really, I have thought of it sometimes, but I dont think I can really leave this hobby. These dolls have become a part of me and I cant really imagine my life without them.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
No, and probably never.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Yeah, I've known a couple people who have gotten out of the hobby. It's sad to see people go, but like several others have said, it's not completely shocking. Life happens, people get too busy, ect. But the good news is, is the people still exist and they still make great friends even if they don't share the same hobbies~ ^ ^

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
On quite a few occasions. I kinda feel bad when they just sit on the shelf and I'm too busy to do anything with them. More often than not I usually have dolls that are hard/expensive to buy for (i.e. Limho Mono, JID, Minifee), so they usually only have a couple different outfits and an owner with no time. So... I guess it's mainly because I feel like I'm 'neglecting' them.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
I had officially thrown my hands up once after a really bad experience at a doll meet. I didn't want anything to do with the people, I couldn't look at my doll at the time without thinking about it, so I sold him and all of his things and just avoided the hobby for almost a year. Eventually though I was drawn back in and bought a couple new dolls and eventually re bought the doll I'd sold but in a different resin color.

Since then I have sold all my dolls and took a couple different breaks, but I don't think I'll be leaving the hobby again unless something life changing came up and I needed the money.

 

I briefly thought about leaving when I was just doing vinyl 1/6s, because I couldn't see justifying the amount of money I was spending. But since I have discovered 1/4 & 1/3, it hasn't even crossed my mind. lol

 

I've pretty much been out of the hobby for the past year and a half. I didn't announce it or anything, just stopped visiting the forums and left my dolls sitting in a chair in my room, forgotten except for the occasional dusting. I took up new hobbies and have just recently started getting back into dolls. I don't think I could get rid of them all, though, no matter how disinterested I might become. I'm a bit too attached to Kaesu to ever think of selling him (probably couldn't get much, anyway ;P).

 

I quilted almost daily for 19 years and owned a small quilt shop. One day I made an apron for a friend, sold the shop and NEVER made another quilt. That was 8 years ago. I reborn dolls for 2 years with a friend and my husband left me and I sold every single thing having to do with reborning and stoped living for almost 2 years. Now I love sewing for BJD and really like taking pictures of them. So I guess you never know. The thought of making a quilt makes me gag, I don't know what I found so fun about it. Big plus is I have tons of fabric left from my 'quilt days'!

 

I haven't known anyone who left but then again I'm still pretty new! I don't see myself leaving the hobby in the "sell all my dolls and dolly things" sense. Leaving for me would be no longer actively looking at/wanting/buying dolls or trying to participate in the community. I'd have to totally lose interest in it. However, I'd still keep my dolls. They'd get packed away.

 

i never leave any hobby i start. I might take a break and start another, but i always come back.

 

I'm not really the person to take up hobbies on a whim, I always thought hobbies is something that stays with you for life, but I'm surprised to hear people say, "Okay, I'm done with this" and just up and leave.

For me, just saying "I'm done with drawing" is impossible, art is one of my biggest passions, and if I drop it, what else would I do? Same goes with my dolls, I wouldn't call it a hobby persay, I'd define a hobby as something you are constantly working on, because once my dolls are finally complete, I'm pretty sure they will just sit around looking pretty, but I could never think of parting with my most loved dolls.

 

I do not know anyone who has completely left the hobby. I do know people who have had more important priorities come up in their lives that caused them to put the entire doll hobby on hold: no longer customising their dolls or browsing the forums or keeping up with new releases.
More important things do come up and interests can change over time.

I don't imagine leaving the hobby behind entirely. My interest does wax and wane from time to time but the hobby is an extension of my main passion - which is art. I can't imagine walking away from this kind of fun permenantly!

 

While I would never leave a hobby, totally, I do, from time to time, downsize. As I have gotten older and realize that no one in my family has any interest in my dolls, I made a decision to try and keep my number of dolls under 10. So far, I have not been very sucessful.