Leaving the Hobby...SAY WHAT!?

*grin* -- this is why I can't "leave" the hobby. It just isn't possible. They multiply when I'm not looking, I swear. And I will make the mistake of coming here and looking at the news threads every day... and the pretty pictures...

I've always thought it was a bit odd to announce that you're moving on to other things, but it's certainly a normal enough course of events in human nature.

 

It's weird but I actually have a fear of completely losing interest in BJDs and wondering why I wasted my money in the first place. But, then again, I'm not as flighty about my hobbies and interests as I used to be. Such as, for instance, I've been in the Tokio Hotel fandom now for over TWO YEARS now and there was a time I couldn't last in any sort of band fandom for more than a couple months. I've just gotten to the point now where I decide on something and stick with it for the long haul, good or bad. I have been interested in BJDs for five years now and it took a lot of deciding to make this leap so, I'm probably not going to look back. At the VERY least, any doll I buy will be mine forever.

It makes me sad to find youtube vids and DA accounts of people who really used to be in the hobby and have left it completely. I understand people move on, though, so I try to be understanding. It's hard, though, not going to lie about that.

 

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

No; at least I don't think so.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?

Nope; I've sort of been interested, lost interest (in and out), but now I finally have a doll, so I'm pretty set.

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

Unless someone has a terribly large debt, or some sort of financial emergency, I really dislike the 'selling all your dolls' thing people do when they leave a hobby. If I suddenly lost all interest, there'd be no way I get rid of the dolls I have because they meant something to me at some point.

Even if I stop collecting dolls, stop needing to go on DoA like I need oxygen, stop everything BJD related, you could not get me to sell my dolls. There is just nothing you could say that could persuade me. Just like my large collection of Build-A-Bears, they're not going anywhere. I collected Build-A-Bears in high school, and even though I'm not really interested in BABs at all anymore, it doesn't mean I'm selling them.

You can take the person out of the hobby, but...can you take the hobby out of the person?

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
yes. My best freind. I was upset but understood a bit.
Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Once. I was afraid how my boyfreind would react to them. So i really thought of quiting. But i brought it up with him how i was feeling and. HE actually suported the idea and told me off for thinking of quiting and selling my dolls. I am very self counsious somtimes. He is actually going to get one himself.
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 done it with several Hobbies. Unicorns fairies and other things only to upgrad. and my glass dolls htough i kept a few. and american girl i kept three.

 

I am too new to the BJD hobby to have seen anyone leave the hobby but have seen plenty in the Blythe Community. I agree that some leave and come back and leave and come back but I think that sometimes with dolls it can be an up and down hobby. I have collected dolls on and off for years and have only just gotten into BJD's, but I cannot see myself completley leaving the hobby. Mostly I would probably just sell some and keep really special ones if I ever wanted to "scale back". I do have some periods where I am not paying attention to them and they just sit on the shelves, but I still enjoy seeing them in my quilt nook so I think sometimes that is enough.

To some people, their hobby of collecting dolls may be a strain on their financial situation or maybe they are pursuing a different season in their lives that requires them to move on but whatever the reason, at least they have enjoyed this wonderful hobby for a little while!

Great topic by the way.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I've never known anyone personally, but I've seen posts about people leaving, and everytime I see something like that I feel kind of sad, odd as it sounds xD I just don't understand how someone can wakeup and say, "I'm leaving the hobby, so I'm selling all my dolls."

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
When I started getting ready to buy my first, I kind of doubted whether I'd really enjoy having her and started having second thoughts. I still have those moments when I don't really know what to do with her and think, "What if I sold her and still admired dolls and such?" but I just don't feel right. It's more like I have "breaks" when I'm at a loss, but I can't imagine selling Kira. There's just so much you could do, and endless things to buy for them, whether you have 1 or 20.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Nope. Though I have seen people having 'leaving the hobby' sales and so forth. I've also seen sigs of people who I had previously seen around who have sold al of their dolls and stated they have left the hobby. I find it quite sad personally and I wonder what prompted them to do so and of they had no choice.
Of course there are those who just lose interest. It's fine, people lose interest in hobbies all the time, it's just ours is rather expensive.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?

Nope, I've lost interest, sold a load of dolls etc. But I've always come bouncing back! I don't think I'll ever leave the hobby entirely, it's too big a part of my life!

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
Nothing that drastic but I have sold most of my dolls recently but that was to free up money and space for more .

 

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

Yes, a friend of mine got into BJDs after she saw some of mine. She was very much into it for about a year, but eventually lost interest and sold everything off. I wasn't surprised because she is the kind of person who gets very passionate about things very quickly, but also loses interest very quickly as well. She never had a stable hobby and changes interests often.


Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?

No, leaving the hobby has never entered my mind. I took a break from forums and buying dolls for a long time, yes, but I still very much enjoyed the dolls I already had. After over 7 years in the hobby, I am pretty sure that I will never leave.


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

I am in the process of selling some of my dolls, but that's only because my tastes have changed somewhat since I bought them in 2004. When had just discovered BJDs, I was so in awe of these dolls that I liked pretty much everything. But, after so many years in the hobby, I came to realize that there are certain sculpts that are just not for me. However, I have never sold *all* my dolls and don't foresee doing this in the future.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Yes. My good friend that I enetered the hobby with left because it basically ruined her marriage and she lost her job.....(long story but its true) I was sad but she really became completely obsessed with the hobby...we both did.
Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
In 07 I took a long break.....my father had just passed away, I moved to a new house, I ended my 5 year relationship and I did some travelling. No time for dollies.
Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
Yes, I sold all my female dolls which I never took interest in and most of my boys, only holding onto a few. Yes, the whole time I was away I was thinking about why I sold this doll or that doll....and just curious as to what was new. I made my way back in 09 and glad I did!!!!

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Yes. I had a friend who loved my dolls she get a few of her on was on DOA for almost 2 years and then just decide they were not for her and sold them all. Its sad but it was her choice.
Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
I wont lie and say no. When I seem to be loosing intrest in somthing I want to get ride of things but I have learn that if I do that and somthing sparks my intrest again well I am out all the stuff I had when it was my main hobby intrest. So mostly I just take a little break now and again.
Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
No, I have sold plenty of dolls over the years (going on 6 years now) but I have never sold all of my dolls and prob never would.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Not personally, but coming back to the forums, I've seen some older users have left/sold off dolls/etc. I tend to wonder what caused them to leave the hobby, but I understand that interests change for people, and so do life circumstances concerning money or owning luxury items. The sudden 180s about the hobby mindset are a bit startling to see still though.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Nope. I was inactive on the forum for quite a few years, and my spending towards the hobby was pretty much nothing, but I never considered leaving. I've taken a few breaks from the social aspects of it, but I still very much enjoyed having my boys around on display during those times. I honestly don't see myself leaving for a very long time, if ever. I just like having them around too much to want to sell them off.

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

 

My answer to all three questions is 'yes'.

 

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

Yes...my daughter. She slowly lost interest over several years. I was disappointed at first since it was nice to share the hobby with her but I also understood why. She was young and her focus in life changed.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?

Yes...it can be an expensive hobby.

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

No, not yet.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I haven't personally known anyone. I know of people that have been supporting my own hobby inspirationally and then over time suddenly left a message saying they're leaving the hobby and selling their dolls, and to be honest it is none of my business why. Some it could be money, family troubles, work troubles, health... Some may just generally grow out of dolls.
Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Yes, I moved country with a backpack and sold pretty much everything left in my old flat. I had thought it through and knew I could get back into the hobby once I was back on my feet and with a job.
Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
I sold all my dolls almost 3 years ago, when I decided to move country. Like mentioned before, I knew I could get back into the hobby when I would be financially stable again - and I did. I even got my very first doll back. Since coming back to the hobby I have sold many of my dolls and a lot of the times it was because I had such great expectations for them and waited for months, then found that the doll I was holding didn't have the same magic as the one in the company photos. I learn to avoid such purchases now and am only concentrating on dolls I know I want.

 

i never sold all my dolls, and i didnt consider myself having *left* the hobby, but i did take a 2.5 yr break, right after i had my first child in 2008, my dolls pretty never came out of their carrier bags or boxes, i had neither the time, money nor energy to do much with them. i bought a very treasured discontinued head that i had spent the last 2 years looking for, and that was the last thing i bought until this year, i was finally able to get back into it. my kids are older now and less dependent, so i have more energy and time, and we are better off financially right now. i didnt *want* to take a break because i just love my dolls to death, but it was unrealistic and self damaging at the time to try to keep it going. i *had* to take a break. i kept the dolls because i knew i was coming back.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Yes, I have. I cannot help but missing who left it as in some cases BJD forums and such are the only places I may know about them.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Never, because I love this hobby the same way I did since the beginning and because fortunately I have never been in a bad economic situation which made me leave it.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
Never, either, because I love all my crew of BJD the same way or even more than since the beginning.

 

In the two years since I last posted on this thread, many people I used to see here are gone. I think some people left because of unauthorized copying of their images for commercial gain, some just drifted away because the forum got too huge. Some people I know personally still collect the dolls, but lost interest in the forum and some just moved on because of life circumstances. I'm still here because I'm still enchanted, but I miss seeing the beautiful dolls of those who left.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
-Not really, but I'm not in contact with many collectors, so that's not surprising.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
-Leaving as in selling my collection, hiding it away, and never thinking of it again? Never. I've been a doll collector forever. Dolls live in cases, on bookshelves... Even when I'm out of the house, married with kids, I'll make space to dedicate to my collection. I may not add to the collection or photograph dolls like I do now, but I'll never call it quits on the hobby.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
-I have a hard time selling stuffed animals, let alone BJD's! I could never sell one of my dolls in my collection, even if I were in dire need.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I haven't known someone who has, but I've heard of it... and I think it's sad to know that the hobby holds no more joy for them, but that's what it is, a hobby. So it's their choice to leave.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Yes. I took a hiatus soon after getting my first doll... mainly because I didn't have funds to get another, and there aren't many meet-ups close to me. However, now I have a few friends who have gotten 'into it' and it makes me a lot happier. I also decided to try to get active here on DoA again... I think that the downside of this hobby is the lack of opportunities to meet other doll owners depending on where you live.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
I almost sold my first doll... but I decided to give him one more chance and, with my mother's help, I was able to get his strings supertight and now he poses like a charm! I would have bought another doll after selling him, though... I already have one on layaway!

 

I took some time out of the hobby, it wasn't a deliberate intention or decision, it happened due to a lot of life changes that did not allow the time or finances. I still had my dolls, but I wasn't particuarly active. I haven't been to a meet in at least 2 years, or bought a doll in over a year (well, that was until last month :P). Once things in my life were more settled I found myself returning back to the forum and being active with my dolls again, and buying again lol!

I don't know why people sell all their dolls if they leave the hobby, or rather, I don't know why they say about it. They are at no obligation to explain the reason they are selling up. I myself, once becoming more active in the hobby have decided to part with quite a few of mine; and have reinvested in new dolls. I have also changed the persona of Snowelle and working on my WOW dolls.

I don't know of any collectors who have up and left the hobby personally, I know some where they haven't bought much more or been involved due to time restraints though.