People trying to talk you out of buying a BJD?

When I first got into this hobby I went a little nuts and bought 3 dolls. I went to my dad and the first doll order he of course was growling at me. That's a lot of money. Are you sure you can pay for this. My boyfriend is the number one person to nip at me for buying "something that does nothing at all" but I ignore them. Now neither if them say anything. Especially my dad. As I got into this hobby I got him into the 3d printing hobby it was a year ago. He now has 6 3d printers a router and a Lazar cutter and a few maxed out credit cards. He won't dare say anything about my dolls now.

 

some of my friends were against me buying a bjd, they said that they are too expensive and kind of useless, of course i didn't listen to them 'cause i would really like to have a bjd and they are not stopping me from it....

 

This is why I didn't tell anyone but my girlfriend when I first bought one. I live with my family, so of course they found out, but never learned what I spent (over 1k Canadian). I don't think that's really anyone's business when it's my money. I talked it over with my girlfriend only because she's always so supportive and I knew I could trust her not to be so negative. Predictably, she got super excited about BJDs, but suggested I take a layaway rather than spending almost all my money at once. My friends have only learned about it as I feel comfortable (two coworkers, two friends and my wonderful girlfriend know.) So I've never had anyone tell me I shouldn't do this or that it's a waste of money. If they did I'd probably just shit them out.

 

Not really dissuade, however, I do have a friend who said "oh, a doll will do for now until you have a kid of your own". I was really offended and I almost gave up on the hobby just because the comment left a bad taste in my mouth. I never saw BJDs as anything other than things I can admire and get inspiration from.

Another friend said "oh, so it's like...Barbie for adults?"

They're not horrible people. In fact, I grew up with them so they're my closest childhood friends. They just don't get it so I choose the doll stories I tell them.

Thankfully, my hubby, dad and mom totally do. Hubby helps me with anything doll-related...last trip, he lugged around what bags he can so I can hug my doll carrier home. And, my mom just got a cute Migidoll of her own to display. She knows it runs in the family, as my Grandma adores anything doll-related.

 

do not listen to your mother. you're buying that doll for you and nobody else

 

My best friend more or less thinks of it as a waste of time and money. Then again, she's so used to me being the oddball that with liking very unusual things, so she supports me. This hobby has also helped me a lot with my anxiety, so she has really started to see it as more of a therapeutic hobby that let's me to be creative. No one in my life except for one person really gets dolls, but they still allow me to be creative in my own way that makes me happy.

 

They haven't exactly tried to talk me out of it, however, my family doesn't like the prices, but at least I don't have 2 maxed out credit cards like they do.

 

I've never had this issue luckily, but mainly because I never tell anyone that would be more against it. My mother was very accepting of it and actually really interested. (she now has doll too!) Anyone else has always been more "meh" about it. They just don't care. However I guess being an artist has helped. No one sees anything I do as odd, because they always explain it away with "well he is an artist."

 

I expected my family and friends to try to talk me out the hobby, but I'm surprised that no one really did. I think it helped that I am extremely stubborn, so they know there's little chance of talking me out of something once I have my mind set on it. They're also used to me liking unconventional stuff. My boyfriend was the first person I told, and he was extremely supportive right away. His support is what gave me the confidence to tell my friends. It's sweet because while my friends probably all think it's really weird, they're genuinely curious about why I like it and have sought to understand my viewpoint. My mom commented on the price a couple times but stopped after I explained why they are expensive. She is an artsy person so she kind of gets it, and I think she would rather I spend my money on this instead of more piercings or body jewelry.

All of my close family and friends spend a lot of money on their hobbies, so they don't have much room to talk about mine. And most importantly: it's my money, I worked hard to earn it, I have a lot in savings, and I will spend my money how I please without fearing the judgement of others. It also helps that only a few people know exactly how much I spent on my first doll. It's really no one's business but mine.

 

Everyone that knows that I will buy myself a doll for my birthday or Christmas. My oldest sister tried to talk me out of buying my annual doll because she wanted to borrow money to gamble at the Casino. This sister does not believe in paying family members back,because that's what family is for. Tough Ts! I went ahead and purchased my doll.

 

My mom is, though she`s very straight forward and blunt about it telling my they're a waste of money.

 

Yes, my mom has tried to. She complained when I started paying on my first girl and got angry.

 

oh yes absolutely, mom is the same.. like all mothers are, they tend to be on the practical side of life
at this point (i'm sorry i'm a bad daughter but i'm already at the age to decide for myself), i'm only giving away, or not, information on my dolls purchases.. i'll save the scolding for later

 

I actually appreciate my family members, especially my dad, for reigning me in when I'm going nuts spending all kinds of money at once. @_@ He's a hobbyist too (model trains) and he completely understands the appeal and I think he's felt like he can bond with me over it. But he reminds me that buying 4 new dolls before the first one has even arrived might not be... the smartest? lol

I think there's a big difference between "indulge in your hobby wisely" and "your hobby is pointless", though.

 

My parents don't really get it, they let me buy them (begrudgingly) because I've always used Christmas/birthday money, student savings, work savings or compensation money... But my parents aren't creative in the same ways I am, I spend time imagining my OCs and drawing them and writing (occasionally), so they don't understand how it feels to actually hold said OCs, and why I get so attached to them. Other family members don't stop me, but they do say "why are you getting stupid dolls/spending stupid amounts of money", but I've got a Masters degree, I'm currently interning as a teacher at a uni, I've never smoked, done drugs, I don't drink and I've been with my partner 4 years now with no babies or whatever, paying my rent and cooking for myself at the house I'm in... So all in all, I'd say they should be happy I am the way I am! and if I want "expensive childish dolls" then I will go out and buy those dolls, because in every other sense I would say I work hard and try to be mature, just my hobbies that aren't necessarily in that league!

 

No one's actually tried talk me out of a doll but I have a couple of friends who don't get the idea of spending a big chunk of money on a doll. They collect dolls themselves and I understand where they're coming from. They've suggested getting a recast since some of the dolls on my wishlist are unfortunately being recasted. It's the money thing and they collect mass produced dolls (which in itself is completely fine and I've collected that sort too). It sometimes creates awkward situations when I have to justify getting a piece of art instead of an illegal copy of one. :/

 

Wow, I am sorry for how much drama bjd-ers are going through by discussing their hobby.

 

I've noticed a lot of people seem to think we're spending money that should be going towards bills and such, as if we leave them unpaid to get a doll. If you have the extra funds to put towards your dolls, then go for it! I know my parents were initially uncertain, but my mom saw how much I loved them and my dad collects trains so he couldn't say anything. I suggest pointing out to your mom that all your expenses are covered and this is something for you that you enjoy and you're allowed to spend your extra funds on whatever you like.

 

lol Well if someone's trying to talk you out of it you've come to the right place. Here's the 3 Y's of whether or not you should buy a doll regardless of what anyone says. Yes. Yes. And Yes. If you've got you money under control and you know you can afford it, then enjoy your layaway! It's your money.

 

Some people have no good reason to complain about others' hobby spending and some have very good reasons to complain about others' hobby spending. It all depends...