Leaving the Hobby...SAY WHAT!?

When i first started in this hobby, I had several problems with dumb people within the hobby, trying to dictate what i was supposed to do, both with my dolls, and my life. It had me thinking for a while that i didn't want to be part of the hobby. I actually contemplated selling everything and doing something else. But the second i listed the couple dolls i had at the time, i deleted what i had started typing, and realized that i was letting idiots who have nothing better to do than tear down others, dictate my hobby. When i stopped caring, i started enjoying the hobby more. And my doll collection grew to what it is today. Even if i DID leave the hobby, there are a few dolls i could never sell. They'd probably get put on a shelf, and left there forever, but, i'd never sell them. I'd just stop collecting, or doing anything on the forums, or going to meets, etc. But over the past few years, i've gotten alot stronger. LOL

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think? No. But I asked myself like you why would they quit after invest a lot in BJDs.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why? Yeah, many times, because I wanted to put money on other things that are as expensive as BJDs. I'm still trying to sell one of my doll, the 'doll that I like least' so I could put this money somewhere else. I really think this hobby is expensive, and I sometime ask myself why did I started BJDs when I knew I wanted other expensive things already.

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

 

I could totally understand this. The negativity and rudeness that I see going on this forum is really becoming a downer. Im sort of taken aback by the rabid "fandom" exhibited for certain doll companies. So much so, that even the slightest similarity to one of their dolls causes a firestorm of ugly charges of copying, when we are only talking similiarities and not direct recasting. I think it's very irresponsible to jump at accusing a company of copying, when techinically and legally, the company has done nothing wrong, except maybe to produce a variation on an archetypal theme. It's sad to see such inflexibility and intolerance in what should be such a creative, and beatiful hobby.

I don't think I would leave the hobby because I love my dolls, but I can see myself withdrawing from the community because of all the negative and childish drama.

 

This has happened to me a few times. But my former doll friend ended up leaving the hobby after maybe 3 months. I was really sad about that and when I saw a bunch of things I wanted I was really tempted to buy all of those things instead of the doll.

 

No one I know has left the hobby, but things do change, people's lives get akward and they can't keep the same amount of contact or level of interest they did before.
I could never leave it as I love it all too much. My dolls, clothes shopping, checking for new dolls.
I have had breaks from the hobby though, if I get a new doll sometimes I like to retreat away and just spend time with the new doll rather than sitting online talking about how cool the new doll is lol
I also had a very long break when I got ill for two months, I didn't care much for dolls around that time, I just wanted to get well. Then right after I got into a relationship which seemed to take up all my time, I had hardly any time for my dolls at all, now that has ended, I was really down and wanted to reconnect to something that made me truely happy again. I'm really enjoying getting back into things, joining in talks on the forum, looking at new releases and spending time with my doll family.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Not personally, but that's not saying much, since I don't have any friends on DoA. I have seen people whose photos and dolls I liked and found out they left the hobby long before. Maybe if it was someone I was friends with, and they up and said they were leaving, I'd probably be sad, since the one connection we may have had would be gone, and what would follow is most likely us drifting apart as a result (this happened when I left Subeta, I had lots of friends, but once I left, the things we had to talk about dwindled until we didn't even bother talking anymore) But I can understand why one would leave. Sometimes life can be incredibly demanding, and it might seem more worthwhile to sell them, or maybe something traumatic has happened in connection, and they can't stand to look at their dolls as a result (like I remember reading a story about how someone lost most of their dolls in a fire, and they couldn't even think about their dolls anymore for a long time). This is excluding the obvious reasons someone would leave a hobby.
Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Currently no, but since I've only been in the hobby for a year, and I don't really have much going on in my life besides work, I guess I wouldn't have a reason to, at the moment. Right now, I can only see myself leaving the hobby if I desperately needed the money for some reason, or, God forbid, if I go completely blind or die. Hopefully at that time, I'd have a child who would be interested in my dolls as well, so I could at least pass some on.
Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
Again, no, but if I did leave the hobby, I would try not to sell all of my dolls as chances are high it's a temporary thing. I would keep any of the limited and discontinued ones, not specifically because they're limited, but because trying to buy them back would be a struggle, and their worth would only increase while their availability decreases as they slowly start finding homes with owners who won't be giving theirs up any time soon and more people enter the hobby also looking for those specific dolls. I really like this hobby, so any leaving of it at the time of writing this would be temporary, save for the few exceptions above.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I have had many friends who have sold most or all of their BJD, generally due to financial hardship. I think it would be a hard choice, but it was their choice in the end and I don't think any less or more of them for doing it. It is disappointing not to be able to dish on dolls or see their photos but...that's the way it goes sometimes.
Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Well, I've considered selling most of my dolls a few times, but at the same time, my BJD have had better longevity for me than other dolls. I've sold off many of my other dolls, and have little interest in them now other than a select few, but I still really love my BJD. I could see that happening with the BJD too if my life got really strange or terrible in some way, but at the same time, I've invested a lot more time and money into them so I don't think it is a decision I'd take lightly.
Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
Nope. But if I ever did, I'm sure I could be brought back in unless my life simply wouldn't allow for it.

 

I have NEVER really thought of leaving the hobby. I have had a momentary panic of "what if my boyfriend who thinks it's cute hates the hobby when it's "eating up" our shared (via marriage) money and I have to leave the hobby!!!???" but as far as "Man, I don't like this anymore..." Nope. Not once.

 

I know there have been a lot of things I've been into and lost interest for one reason or another. A hobby that once meant something to you might not anymore, and there's lots of reasons for it. Many of my past hobbies (illustrated series in particular) I've abandoned just because I shared them with someone, but after we had a falling out I could only think about them or it just wasn't as fun without them. Instead of being something fun it became more of a sad reminder, a scar of the past.

Other times things are just a phase and I lose interest, that's how it was with horse riding.

With BJD it's my own thing, which is kind of a double edged sword. On one hand, I'm glad it'd mine and will never share a stigmata with something else- but on the other I don't know anyone else IRL into the hobby which is one of the reasons I'm here. But I digress.

If you do it the rest of your life and enjoy every day of it, that's wonderful! But I also think it is alright to have a hobby and then leave it, so long as you enjoyed it while you did it. I certainly hope anyone who leaves the hobby sells or gives away their dolls, it would be sad to think of them shoved away in a box in the attic when someone else could really be enjoying them.

 

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Oddly enough....yes.
Thats only because I started realizing that I may not be able to afford it.
But then I love this hobby and I wish to get further into it.
So yeah, my brain is having it's own tug of war .___.

 

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

My good friend who got me INTO the hobby is now thinking of leaving it, because 1) it's such a financial drain, and she has no job at the moment, and 2) there isn't a doll community where she lives (Middletown, PA), so she has no one to meet with and share her enthusiasm. Her family and other (few) friends don't really care about the hobby, and some disapprove. So, she's struggling.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?

I've only been an enthusiast for about a year, so no, I'm not really thinking of leaving any time soon. I can't discount the idea that one day I might decide it's no longer something I have a passion for, but for now, I'm holding fast.

 

I've never gotten completly out of it but I've taken a break. I moved out and was in the porcess of getting my life together, I took a break for about 6 months. When Spring came around though I started to miss dolls and so I bought a few and will soon be taking another break in order to save my bank account lol.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I've been around long enough to see more than one person leave, and I am always a bit curious as to why. I also hope that nothing bad is going on in their lives at the moment, and that they've simply lost interest or found another hobby they like more. ^^ It does make me sad when I liked their dolls/sewing/photography, but of course everyone can do as they please so I hope that whatever they've moved on to makes them very happy, and that their talents can be used to inspire other people elsewhere.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
I thought about it a LOT before I even got into BJDs fully, mainly because they cost so much. xD I think that's for everyone, though, so after I got into BJDs.... yes, especially recently. I've bought and sold/traded so many dolls that I sometimes think I'm to fickle and silly to be into such an expensive hobby. Sometimes I feel that I'm too spoiled or too materialistic or too focused on these things which I think are just beautiful. But I always circle back to the fact that they really make me happy to look at, to sew for, to photograph, to paint, and they inspire me in ways that my other hobbies could never do! I don't think I'll leave the hobby - not for a long, long time at least.

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

 

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

Not personally, but I have seen posts and it makes me sad to think a family is going to be broken up.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?

One night I got real mad and threatened to sell them but I haven't since. It was because they were being frustrating and wouldn't cooperate and I was going through a tough time. But I love my 'children' too much.

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

Never! I feel bad thinking about selling anyone and I try too hard to bond. It took me forever to sell the tiny sisters I had and I could never sell my family. Even though I'm sick and I think, maybe I should find them a home before it gets too bad, I couldn't. So I think better, maybe I should make a big name for myself so they can be made important! That's why they're the center of my books. Then people would want to take care of them after I'm gone. XD

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think? No, I am not aware of anyone I know leaving the BJD doll hobby. I did know someone who quit fashion dolls but that was mostly due to finances. She never had a large collection and didn't really seem to enjoy the ones she did have. Not surprised at all when she left the hobby.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
No, I've collected dolls for over 20 years now and other than having to move to a space too small for them I don't ever foresee my leaving the hobby. I would consider giving the dolls away to someone I know who would cherish them.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll? No. Have sold many fashion, and porcelain dolls but only one BJD. I have found that I do enjoy the fashion BJDs and have several of them.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
I have seen some people on here that have beautiful dolls that just leave. It makes me sad and want to ask why, but I do not want to be nosy. I also think that it is kind of sad that this hobby, to some people, is just another one of those 'fling' hobbies. I wish that my dolls stay with me forever, and even though I may sell some characters here and there, I don't think I'll ever leave the hobby.

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
I did not ever decided to leave the hobby, but I thought that I was going to lose interest when I started college. I had to leave my doll at home and that was the reason why I thought was going to lose interest. BUT i didn't, I missed my doll even more. Every time I go home I see his cute little face and it makes me love him even more.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
I wanted to sell my doll's head mold, a few times but turns out he just needed a new look. I am always trying to find him new companions to live with but I am really satisfied with only ONE doll. I may get a tiny, but that isn't going to replace him.

 

I don't think I'll EVER leave the hobby, for while I consider myself a hobbyist (as opposed to a collector), dolls are so much more than just a hobby for me. They keep me stable and happy more than anything else in my life. I am a very unstable\nonfunctioning human being, so something with the security and certainty of a doll with the excitement and enthusiasm flying about when a new one arrives... that keeps me going. I literally need my dolls, or I would much more depressed than I usually am. I love them.

 

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
Yes. |8
Before the AS Gavin was released, I was set on getting out of the hobby because of one certain company that had my money and never gave me my doll. I'm sure some of you heard about that person that waited for a year and then finally got their money back from a company; yeah, that was me. :V

I was intent on getting out when my friend sent me a link for a doll that was "perfect" for my character I was trying to make. Lo' and behold, I'm here a year and a half later with two and a half dolls (yeey for event heads). I have no intentions of leaving the hobby; but I will never, ever, EVER buy from that company/artist again out of sheer protest for their bad business practices.

 

Have you ever known someone who left the hobby and what did you think?
Yes actually. One of the local owners left the hobby about a year ago, sold all her stuff and closed her commissions thread... it made me really sad to see her and her dolls go. She had one of my dream dolls and I really admired her for her face-up skills and photography. But she wanted to concentrate more on her photography, so I understand why she left. She's recently opened her face-up commissions again, but doesn't have any dolls of her own yet (that I know of, don't know if she plans too either).

Have you ever thought of leaving the hobby and why?
I have but it only make me sad and depressed. Sometimes I'd like to separate myself from the online community since I haven't really connected with anyone and don't really get noticed a lot haha... when I do it just seems to be all drama... but I like being current on the doll news so it'll be awhile before even that happens.

Have you ever sold all your dolls, left the hobby, then eventually made your way back into it and bought another doll?
Nope! Been going strong for almost 4 years now A little too strong, hahaha