Leaving the Hobby...SAY WHAT!?

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Sure, I've been in the dollie community for quite a while now (not only BJDs though) and I've seen people come and go. Some goes from one hobby to another, while others just fade out. Sometimes it makes me sad, especially if I really liked the person, their photography or dolls. But I do understand that it happens too, I don't dwell with it. It is their decision after all

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Not for real, but I have thought about it when thinking about how my life might be in 10 years. I am very in-between life periods right now. Finished with school, but not started a family yet and a job that isn't requirung my brain 100% of the time. I can see myself, when having a more demanding job and with a family that I might leave the dolly hobby. I don't think I will sell all my dolls, and I might still take pictures because photography is my one and only hobby, but I might leave DoA and other forums.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
No, I think if I sold all my dolls I would really be leaving for good. I don't see myself coming back from that. I love my dolls and they have such huge personalities. If I decided to sell them all it would most definitely be because I was leaving and just not coming back again.

 

I'm replying to this as someone who 'left' the hobby for well over a year.

TEAL DEER AHOOOOOOOOY! (No, really.)

I fell on hard times financially, while I was able to keep my job, it was never certain from month to month whether that would remain the situation or not. It got to the point where I would look at my SDs and see two months worth of potential rent instead of dolls. So I ended up stripping them all down, lying them flat on a shelf, and not touching them for a year.

Finally this year, I've started to get better about accepting my financial situation and moving on with my life in spite of it. And realizing that, even if I DID sell the dolls, that would give me two months worth of rent... and then what? I don't have the joy of having the doll anymore, and the money is gone, never to return.

But I've changed my doll priorities quite a bit. I'm selling off all the heads I was going to 'make bodies for one day'. Because I realize I'm not in a position to be putting that much money into the hobby, and I don't want to purchase any of the commercially available bodies for them. I'm pairing back down to the few core dolls I really like, and doing more with them.

I was addicted to 'Buy buy buy buy buy' and I could only enjoy the hobby when I was getting the 'high' or purchasing things. When I couldn't get that 'high' anymore I really lost interest. But that's a problem in my larger life and not just BJD, and now that I'm getting support for my issues I'm starting to enjoy my dolls, and focus more on gettin getting a few things that will really make them shine, rather than just loading up on possessions for the sake of having THINGS.

The other part of it was that... I just got frustrated with my skill level. I couldn't do face-ups the way I wanted, I couldn't take photos as pretty as I wanted... I was holding myself to too high of standards. So I'm pairing back now, and not taking photos just to take photos, but really taking the time to invest in nice photography.

I want to add another mini Dollfie Dream to my 'doll family' sometime in the future, but I realize they're not going anywhere and so I'm taking my time, and probably won't complete that goal for another year or so. :P

ETA: I didn't realize this until reading other people's posts on this thread, but being kind of 'burned out' on the new sculpts/outfits has been part of it for me to. It used to be that I could click any marketplace thread and go 'If only I were a millionaire!' But now I'm kinda 'myeh.'

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
No, though I have come across posts of people saying that they are leaving the hobby. I could complete understand their reasoning, if they gave them at all.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
I have thought about leaving ht e hobby many times because I get so busy with school or work that sometimes I just don't have time for them, but the I look at them and think about why I bought them and remember that they make me happy. I may not have much time for them these days, but whenever I do get a chance to play with them the magic that got me hooked n them in the first place starts up and erases all of my thoughts of leaving the hobby.

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

 

Too answer your questons...

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I have never known somone personally to have left the hobby but I know people do.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
I have just for the sake of money issues, but I'm addicted so... hahah I don't think I'll leave my dolls anytime soon.

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

But to voice my own opinion...

I can understand why people leave the hobby... It is a VERY exspensive hobby that cost a lot of money and a lot of time to take care of the dolls. I'm sure people also have personal reasons why they leave the hobby as well but I won't go into that. It could be the issue of needing more space, limited money or more... but I won't ever leave my dolls. NEVER!!

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Yes. I actually have benefited from a friend who bought a number of dolls then decided she no longer was interested in keeping them, since she gave me one of her dolls! She wasn't active on-line in the forums, though, so I'm not sure if she exactly counted as being in the hobby other than having the dolls and kept up with what was going on enough to be able to get a hold of limiteds and other hard-to-get items... But still...

I was sad about it. It's nice to have BJDs in common with someone! But I know that sometimes people can fall out of interest with things, and why should they stick about if they are no longer interested?

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
No. I may become less active on-line over time, but so far I've been about as obsessive about BJDs as I was when I got into them in '04! I tend to be pretty consistent in my hobbies... although there HAVE been things I've been into in the past that I'm no longer so interested in, so going by that, it's entirely possible my interest could change. But so far, it hasn't! I wouldn't leave because someone or something has upset me, though. That NEVER happens--I'm almost impervious to that kind of thing. Although it's possible that something ugly could happen and I'd slow down in my interest for a while--but I don't let things get to me, usually. Financial problems--that's possible--but I'd probably still like to see dolls and would look in the galleries. I do that now for dolls I like but don't have...

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
No. As I said, I'm pretty consistent and predictable in my hobbies. I don't flit about or change my mind very much, so this hasn't happened in the past and is unlikely to happen in the future. I may have my interest wane and then revive, but wouldn't sell everything off and then buy it all again! I'd mostly likely keep my dolls, even if I got less active here and elsewhere in the social aspects of the hobby.

 

I don't think I'll ever leave this hobby, at least not for not for a very long time. If my parents happen to try and make me leave, I'll go out kicking and screaming and dragging my dolls with me lol XD

 

I've come from collecting fashion dolls and I know how much you can be stressed out just having too many dolls. So I made up my mind to be really careful about choosing dolls and their stuffs this time. I'll try my best to keep as minimum dolls as possible. I think, with something as addictive as this hobby, it's most important to keep cool and not to obssess too much. I think it's a part of this hobby trying to be really careful not to get burnt out.

 

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

I've seen it and I think it is part of a person's life choice. In other words, it's not for me to think about. There will always be those for which collecting BJDs is very much a fad and then there will be others who will always collect them.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?

Not collecting BJDs, no, but I've drifted from other doll types to this point. Eventually, though, I'm sure I will move onto more important things in life and perhaps stop being as active as I have been. Doll collecting, although a fun hobby, is a relatively small part of who I am as a person. I go through phases from being really into it to then taking a step back and not being so active depending on what's happening in my life.

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

Never. I've always kept at least one doll from my "journey" into collecting particular dolls.

 

I know one person which one left bjd, and she's say "I'm happier now". Well, her choise and i admire that.
Sometimes I thought about that, because it's really expensive hobby, but I like that, and want to have only 3-4 dolls. Right now I want sell my first, and only, doll 'cause this mold isn't that, what I'm looking for (and then maybe I'll get some more cash and buy another doll instead)

 

I guess there are a lot of pressures on doll owners (finance, social etc) that can be difficult to balance. For some people it's easier to bail out.
For some its a passing phase, a trend they loose interest in. Since I moved out of the house I shared with three other doll owners I've found my enthusiasm waver and dip. Sometimes you need the encouragement of others to keep you interested.
I personally can't bare the thought of selling my doll! Even if you lost interest in the hobby, how could you bring yourself to let go of them?

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Not known anyone personally.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
When I had more dolls than I felt comfortable I did think about selling them all and just starting again or just moving on to another hobby. I just found having too many dolls was like having too many unfinished projects lying around, it made me feel messy and incomplete.

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 could see myself doing this, if I got to the point where I needed to sell all my dolls for financial reasons rather than leave the hobby because I was disinterested in it.

 

If someone told me they were quitting, my first thought would be to see if they have anything I might want. >_< I'm such a vulture.

In reply to OP's 3 questions, no on all three counts. I can't see myself ever selling my doll, unless i'm facing a financial crisis.

 

I second this, not all hobbies and interests are for life. Not that everyone grows out of stuff, but you know.

 

I was just thinking this, too. Someone's defection from the hobby is another person's damn good fortune

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
- No, since I don't really know anyone personally who is into bjds. I have friends who think they're cool, but don't have any of their own.
Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
- Also no, because dolls are just an extension of my art hobby, and I can't even begin to imagine just deciding one day "oh, I'm done with art."
Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
- There was a short period between my first doll and my puki where I didn't have any dolls or doll stuff, but that was more of a lack of finances than a lack of interest in the hobby. I was still on DoA every day, so I didn't actually leave the hobby.

If I had extra money to buy doll stuff, I'd probably be in the same boat as Arcenciel and Krissy. If someone is selling all their doll stuff, and I happen to like and be able to afford something, why should I just leave it? They're not going to need it anymore lol

 

I can see people maybe changing the style of doll they want to collect or falling out of love with some dolls...but leaving dolls ALTOGETHER?? no way. NEVER knew anyone to abandon dolls altogether...

 

Well, it depends on the emotional investment that goes into the doll, the sentimentality and sense of self that the owner attaches to the object. I can see how someone who sees the doll as an extension of their own psyche can have more trouble distancing themselves, as opposed to someone who sees them as beautiful pieces of art, or even someone who treats them purely as RP or imaginary characters. (And these hypothetical examples also have varying degrees of overlap!) Ultimately, some people are able to keep their dolls at arm's length, or eventually come to detach their emotions and -- no matter how human or "alive" the dolls seem -- still see them for the inanimate objects they are.

 

I have never known anyone personally who just sold all of their dolls and lost interest. Most of the people I have seen usually have to sell their dolls because of financial problems, which is understandable in today's iffy economy, even for the best of us.

I can see it with other dolls; I come from collecting dollhouses/building and fashion doll collecting. Though I love the fashion dolls, because of space I am very choosy what I collect...and I am waiting on my 2nd bjd, a brownie after acquiring my first one in December. There is something different about bjd's that you don't get with collecting fashion dolls...they seem more like real little people/characters, and I couldn't imagine selling them. I have sold other dolls in my collection to finance the bjd's...but couldn't imagine leaving the hobby, since it is my great stress relief, and one of the few budgeted pleasures I allow myself.

 

A couple of thoughts, hopefully relevant.

I'm over 50, and my spending habits are quite modest, so I have no angst attached to my 2 dolls, which leaves me free to plan for one or two more. I look at the forum as a source of information and a place to admire others' dolls. End of story. I have to. While there are some very lovely and helpful people involved in this hobby, quite a number have attitudes which are beyond the pale for me. It is similar to an MMO I play with my husband and son - it is fun and challenging but I have to shut out much of the chatter as it is like standing on a streetcorner with a group of truly vile teenagers that you can't shut up. I'm not denigrating the idea of community, but the doll world is full of many differing attitudes - just because people admire artistry doesn't mean they will share core values - this certainly can lead to - problems.

My dolls are simply a part of my creative life. I pretty much got my boy to a point that I was happy with and he will likely stay that way. I make things for my girl when the mood strikes me. I follow my creative whims: a 5 foot teddy bear, or a 5 inch one, amigurumi, sculpting, whatever. My BJD's fit into that because I consider them the pinnacle of the doll world, and I truly enjoy having them around. (I admire OOAK's and such but honestly, they just sit there). I don't feel like I have to live up to someone's concept of participation, and that suits me - no demands, no pressure, nothing to avoid.

Will I leave the hobby? Nope. I think I have it in it's proper place in my life, and it will continue to be.

 

A friend once voiced guilt over her doll collection that just sat in a drawer. She'd had the dolls for a long time, they'd yellowed a bit, but plainly she wasn't into it much anymore. She broached the idea of selling them off, which I jumped on. I'd have been happy to make her an offer. Strangely though, she took a peek at some of the latest anthros and fell in love all over again. So, maybe her collection will take a different direction one day.