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Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: joroas on September 19, 2019, 09:44:46 PM

Title: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: joroas on September 19, 2019, 09:44:46 PM
I retired 5 years' ago and, in anticipation of this, had bought masses of armies to paint in the days when I was time rich and salary poor! Unfortunately, when you retire you don't suddenly gain 40+ hours a week of hobby time, I seemed to have less than when I worked.  Things slowed right down and I found myself selling masses of stuff on eBay that was never coming out of the box.  I had thought this might be a spur, but I still seem to have masses in the shed untouched and cannot see it moving any year soon. I set up a blog and a five year timetable to motivate myself, both fell woefully behind and then were abandoned as futile exercises!

Now I need to plan a future role for this stuff. As for the past, I haven't played a game since June 2017, the club I occasionally visited folded in August 2017, I haven't visited a show since May 2018 and the last figure I painted was December 2018. I have just started pulling more stuff up for sale, but am torn between keeping some stuff or completely clearing and repurposing the garage.

Anyone else hit this impasse?
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: tin shed gamer on September 19, 2019, 11:12:56 PM
Short Answer if you no longer derive pleasure from it .Then find something that you do.
It's not written in stone that its a life long commitment.
Personally my own interest in the hobby waxes and waynes .Which sounds even worse as I sculpt for a living. I've played less than a handful of games in 18 months.
I've bounced in and out the hobby pretty much since my late teen's. When the first Gulf war came along I ditched everything not even  dice left.After that I went to work for Game's Workshop .I couldn't cope with people rolling dice and being armchair generals.So I ditched everything again and became a Nurse. After being stabbed for the second time(the irony is never lost on me) I took up sculpting to relax and ignore the outside world.Just over eight years ago I left Psychiatric nursing and became a full-time sculptor.I found the hobby side bored the pants off me(time painting is time I could be earning.)
I even out what I do by having more than one interest. I stil shoot and train ,and study marital arts.Plus we foster.What I'm trying to say is if I personally just had wargaming as my only outlet. I'd more than likely bin the lot.Because as much as I enjoy it and love creating stuff.I begrudge the time it consumes because it is just stuff ..
But I'm still here plodding along .I find this place a great muse.Which of late has restored some of my mojo for my personal projects and hobby time.

Just keep getting rid of the dead wood until your down to the projects that tug at your heart strings.
There's nothing to say that what ever you do with the garage/hobby area that it shouldn't still have a display cabinet in a corner with something that peaks your interest from time to time.Or it just becomes a dust cover curiosity in the corner as you find something more stimulating to do.
It's all still good if your enjoying yourself.

Mark

Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Poiter50 on September 20, 2019, 12:31:42 AM
The people I game with keep me in the hobby. When I went through a difficult personal time some years back, they were my support group as well as some very good friends I worked with and kept me sane. I have met many gamers around the world as I tend to try and link up with like minded people at conventions or clubs and there is always the usual mix. You would be surprised to see that there is a very normal mix of people involved in the gaming hobby. The avalanche of new systems we have seen in the last decade has piqued my interest and keep me going even though I will turn 70 early next year.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Oldben1 on September 20, 2019, 02:09:56 AM
One thing that really helped me was creating a couple of desktop skirmish sized miniature and terrain packs.   I use small tins or shoeboxes that fit under my couch.  When I watch tv with the kids or my wife I pull the miniatures and bits of terrain and push them across the table for and hour or so.  I do the same thing at my desk at work on lunch breaks.  It’s good fun and packs away quickly.  I have a zombie pack, Star Wars pack, and a dungeon pack.  They are all 15mm so they take up very little space.  I quickly slide the box under the couch when I am done.

As for the stuff you don’t use, sell it.  Thank the items for the pleasure they gave you while building and collecting them, and get rid of it.  I have discovered that the creative process of painting and building is more fun for me then displaying and hoarding the finished projects.  Use the money to buy a guitar or take your wife out for ice cream!
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Elbows on September 20, 2019, 02:54:32 AM
Basically, what's been said above.

Set aside the stuff you're not interested in for a while.  If you're still not interested in it for six months - ditch it.

If you have a couple of projects or armies you're passionate about - keep them, just in case.  Remember this hobby doesn't technically have to involve building/painting forces and amassing armies.  Do your fellow hobbyists or fellow gamers have armies/tables/etc?  I know a couple of buddies who could (and I could myself) host games with my opponents or friends needing to only bring snacks or drinks.

Do you have a game you're passionate about but can't motivate yourself to paint/build?  Ditch some stuff and consider having some stuff commission painted/finished if you have the funds.  Then stash it in some boxes and keep it on hand.

If you've really lost the interest - ditch the extraneous stuff, stash some important/rare stuff and take a break.  I didn't game for....5 years at one point, and have taken 9-10 years off from one popular game.

Will a downgraded version of the "hobby" satisfy you?  There are some tremendous board games/card games out there...games which don't require amassing or building armies.  Can you get the same enjoyment out of them?  You might.  Maybe you can shuffle laterally in the hobby space instead of bailing completely.

If you've lost all the passion - take a break, or indeed depart.  It's not a crime.  It's a hobby, not a job.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Condottiere on September 20, 2019, 03:53:42 AM
Could significant others be a factor? ;)
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on September 20, 2019, 08:40:59 AM
Can't say, honestly. When is the right time to stop doing something? I guess that the answer is: when I get no joy from it. Maybe there will be a time I won't, but I am not there yet. With any luck, I never will and death will surprise me with a mini in one hand and a brush in the other. That would be a nice way to go, actually.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Silent Invader on September 20, 2019, 08:59:30 AM
The right time to leave* the hobby? Perhaps when one finds oneself writing and/or opining more than playing**.



*leave meaning a temporary or permanent avoidance

** playing meaning experiencing the reward of tactile fun, be it accumulating, making, painting or gaming etc

NB: for clarity, the above is not a snide remark  :)
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: carlos marighela on September 20, 2019, 09:02:48 AM
When a priest appears at your bedside?
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: jon_1066 on September 20, 2019, 09:26:26 AM
When they pries the 95th Rifles from my cold dead hands.

Sounds like you need to find some opponents.  Unless you just like the painting and modelling for its own sake (which it doesn't sound like you do.)  There appears to be a wargame club in Gloucester you could perhaps think about attending.

Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: tuco74 on September 20, 2019, 11:21:46 AM
One thing that really helped me was creating a couple of desktop skirmish sized miniature and terrain packs.   I use small tins or shoeboxes that fit under my couch.  When I watch tv with the kids or my wife I pull the miniatures and bits of terrain and push them across the table for and hour or so.  I do the same thing at my desk at work on lunch breaks.  It’s good fun and packs away quickly.  I have a zombie pack, Star Wars pack, and a dungeon pack.  They are all 15mm so they take up very little space.  I quickly slide the box under the couch when I am done.

I like this idea very much, and it also fits with something I've been considering very recently. Great minds think alike...but fools seldom differ.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: armchairgeneral on September 20, 2019, 11:42:54 AM
Sounds like you need to find some opponents.  Unless you just like the painting and modelling for its own sake (which it doesn't sound like you do.)  There appears to be a wargame club in Gloucester you could perhaps think about attending.

Agree with this really. I appreciate some people get pleasure from solo gaming but is it not a hobby I could do in isolation though I don't game that often admittedly. I don't particularly like regularly attending clubs but they are useful for meeting like minded people that you could perhaps arrange your own games with.

As for all your stuff, maybe ask yourself what period/project would you save if you could only keep one? Add perhaps a couple more and get rid of everything else?
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: mcfonz on September 20, 2019, 01:09:48 PM
I can echo what others have said really in terms of the social side of things.

I am part of a games club and a group of friends that game. Though I find escapism and relaxation in building, painting both miniatures and terrain when I find time. I try to most evenings.

I did a brief piece on some aspects of this on the blog: https://poisonspurs.blogspot.com/2019/02/how-does-our-hobby-work.html

Clubs folding in any arena happen for various reasons but the most common two issues are 1) Needing someone to run it and no one being willing, 2) recruiting of new members to sustain it into the future.

Actually running a club isn't a huge issue, so long as the members remain committed and cough up their subs on time with minimal pestering.

Finding folks happy to take on that responsibility? Quite low. The recruitment can be an issue too. From time to time on here you see how interpretations of what wargaming is can cause clashes. Some of it is 'change' and not all folks are used to change or indeed, want it.

My first piece of advice would be to go to a show, see if you can rekindle any motivation and enthusiasm that way. Also, look around for other clubs to try.

I'm not sure I can ever see me giving up now as a lot of my friends are gamers or people that know what it is and respect it. My sister and my wife both roll dice every now and then despite not being gamers.

Someone mentioned significant others. Perhaps a joke, but a bit lame to be honest. Our hobby is pretty mainstream now. My wife actually insisted on there being a 'space' for me to have my hobby in when it came to buying the house we live in. Mainly because she didn't want it in the rest of the house but also because she understood how important it is to me and my close friends. I know I am lucky for it, but it gives me the opportunity to have 'geek days' where a few like minded folks head over and we do some painting, modeling and gaming.

I guess, community is what I would call it. The club I am at has all ages and all genres of game on offer. I wouldn't want it any other way.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Sparrow on September 20, 2019, 06:55:27 PM
Hi Joroas

I’ve pinned you a message. I’m Tetbury based so not far from you. If having the odd game might help your mojo - get in touch.

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: has.been on September 20, 2019, 07:18:22 PM
I personally cannot envisage a time when I would give up wargaming, and I have been
doing it since the early 60s. I blow hot & cold on different projects it is true, but I still
enjoy it. Friends & their enthusiasm for different projects helps to keep me happy.
I did, do & will continue to 'thin out' my horde by selling, converting & (sometimes)
giving stuff away, but this allows me to buy 'shiney' things guilt free.
Living the dream.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Blackwolf on September 20, 2019, 08:37:47 PM
Hi Joroas

I’ve pinned you a message. I’m Tetbury based so not far from you. If having the odd game might help your mojo - get in touch.

Cheers

Ian

You sir,are a gentleman.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: flatpack on September 20, 2019, 10:10:38 PM
This is it. Like has.been says, you need people to bounce ideas off, and that will keep the mojo going.
Well done that man down the road from you...good lad.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: syrinx0 on September 21, 2019, 12:56:46 AM
Not sure when I will give it all up or if I ever will do so only voluntarily.  At the moment I am in the hording stage building up to my being made redundant/retired in October.  I have quite a few projects on the shelf, a Sudan effort underway in conjunction with hopefully another LPL.  That said my output varies greatly year to year. If I didn't enjoy painting and couldn't game with any regularity... I would probably sell my unpainted hordes and look for something different to enjoy.

Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Norm on September 21, 2019, 05:15:58 AM
Not sure that I am remembering correctly, but I seen to remember you starting a similar thread some time ago. That being the case, then the way you feel about this is not a flash the pan thing and it probably needs you to take some decisive or positive steps to break the cycle / loop of this thinking.

It may be worth you moving the next batch of things on to feel like you are getting some control of this. I think the advice above of visiting a show is very good, even if you build it into a treat weekend and do other things, like a mini break is possible.

I would also consider picking up a nice colourful set of rules such as the osprey series. Lion Rampant or Rebels and Patriots would get a small game going in a small space, not needing too much time and this might break the cycle of non-play in a very practical way. The Neil Thomas One Hour Wargames might do the same, it has 2 - 3 page rules for 9 periods.

Finally, I think it can be helpful for any gamer to have one or two small footprint board wargames, that are easy to get into, can beleft on the end of a table and again just creates that discipline of actually playing. There are now plenty of boardgames that are solo based.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: joroas on September 21, 2019, 10:19:39 AM
Wow! Thanks for all the replies and PMs, I will respond in due course.  Suffice it to say that the situation I continue to be in is self-inflicted. I had been hoarding and that created unrealistic ambitions that have destroyed the muse. To be fair, I have sold vast quantities in the last couple of years but not enough to achieve the balance I expected. My wife has been persuading me for years to go out to clubs and shows, even to offering to make a weekend of it, but the will just isn't there. The owner of Incom Gaming lives 5 doors' away, even that has not attracted me!
I have decided to clear out anything not 28mm and sell the Napoleonic Prussians and French that will never be done. As many of you said, I will concentrate on smaller skirmish games like FIW, Pulp, Saga and TWD and keep a few things to complete. Painting gangs of 20 figures is achievable, the thought of creating large armies is just not going to happen.   
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: mcfonz on September 21, 2019, 01:44:42 PM
If unsure about shows, consider Salute. I'd be happy to introduce you to the RP crew, one is over your way in Brizzle.

We tend to stay down the night before too - as we come from all over, inc internationally, so if you want to plan for that drop me a PM and I can share more details so you aren't kicking your feet on your own. That is, if you like having a couple of jars and laughing and yacking and possibly playing a couple of small games the night before the show itself.

I suppose eventually I'd love the idea of finding somewhere we could actually do a proper pre night drop in pop up gaming cafe at some point... 8)
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Duncan McDane on September 21, 2019, 03:34:10 PM
Interest waxes and wanes in a lifetime. Real life taking over, Murphy who has sets his eys on you, family matters, health issues and so on, and so on. That goes for many things so of course also for wargaming. For me the same. I've learned not to look back in regret too much and if real life's taking over just to  let it happen and we'll see when the hobby sticks out it's head again. The only mistake I've made ( 2 times ) obo the hobby is just selling off stuf. If you don't need the cash, keep it. Ypu never know when the inspirational muse starts singing again and in the rare event I really want to part with it I hand it to friends, to make them happy ( that goes vice versa ) or swap it for something on my list.
Even with the ridiculous "oldhammer"prices nowadays, I' d rather have my old box of Orcs with the memories attached to them than sell it and get a shopping cart of food instead.  ;)
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Condottiere on September 21, 2019, 04:24:07 PM
Someone mentioned significant others. Perhaps a joke, but a bit lame to be honest. Our hobby is pretty mainstream now. My wife actually insisted on there being a 'space' for me to have my hobby in when it came to buying the house we live in. Mainly because she didn't want it in the rest of the house but also because she understood how important it is to me and my close friends. I know I am lucky for it, but it gives me the opportunity to have 'geek days' where a few like minded folks head over and we do some painting, modeling and gaming.
Grim gormless gits it is then... lol

This hobby isn't as mainstream as you claim it is and even if it were, based on the threads here and elsewhere, it wouldn't make a difference: the SO might want you to get rid of a record collection, for instance. I recall someone on TMP mentioning that coming in home from work, he found all his hobby stuff had been hauled away during trash collection - the mother in law had convinced the wife to get rid of everything.

Worst case scenarios aside, the community has a bigger impact on whether it's time to leave the hobby or part of it.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: FramFramson on September 21, 2019, 05:43:50 PM
Haven't done a thing with minis for the better part of a year. Haven't had the least thought of tossing them though.

As some have already said, for many of us our interest in the hobby waxes and wanes. Almost felt the bug once or twice in the past months, so I'm sure it'll be back again.

The only real consideration IMO is not being packrat-hoarder and hanging on to things you honestly know you won't do anything with and which are actively taking up too much space.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Tactalvanic on September 21, 2019, 09:00:33 PM
Real life caused my mountain to move to the attic of several homes for 20 years or so.

Never once thought to get rid of it. Just moved them boxes from one to another each time.

come 2012 ish, i think, got an itch, scratched it.

Mountain now out of attic and bigger and healthier than ever, and damn it cheers me up after a hard day at the computer-face...

Almost as much as the better half does   :o

Do as you wish with it, but do keep something back for a while, you just never know, when something has been part of your lifescape for so long, it may well trigger more interest again.

Most of all though do something you get enjoyment out of, then do it more   :)
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: vodkafan on September 22, 2019, 08:17:25 AM
You can never leave , we will send the boys round for your "re-education"  ;)
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: mcfonz on September 23, 2019, 12:33:26 PM
Grim gormless gits it is then... lol

This hobby isn't as mainstream as you claim it is and even if it were, based on the threads here and elsewhere, it wouldn't make a difference: the SO might want you to get rid of a record collection, for instance. I recall someone on TMP mentioning that coming in home from work, he found all his hobby stuff had been hauled away during trash collection - the mother in law had convinced the wife to get rid of everything.

Worst case scenarios aside, the community has a bigger impact on whether it's time to leave the hobby or part of it.

It is infinitely more mainstream now than it ever has been in the UK, where this gentleman is from. So yes, what I 'claimed' is true. Evidenced by increasing numbers of GW stores, Warhammer being a household name and the tabletop industry now booming compared to 20odd years ago.

Where I live now has 5-6 shops that are dedicated to tabletop games. 20 years ago it was maybe 3.
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: fastolfrus on September 24, 2019, 07:10:48 PM
The hobby is relatively mainstream in the UK. WHSmiths stock several hobby magazines. We have a local department store that stocks Valejho paints. More than one local club (although it's sometimes not easy to work out how many).

If you ever get to Scarborough on holiday you're quite welcome to call into the club on Roscoe Street (Roscoe Rooms snooker club Monday and Thursday evenings) either for a game, or just a casual pint and a natter.

Gary
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Lost Egg on September 25, 2019, 08:53:33 AM
I have had lot of problems with motivation, though mine is down to the overload associated with autism rather than retirement.

I think the best way to deal with a lack of motivation is to start small and set a really tiny target...maybe something you can do in a day, that way you quickly get a sense of achievement for what you have done. So I'd say just pick and paint one mini.

After that I decided to build and paint a squad of 5 guys.

Next the release of Warlords of Erehwon caught my attention so I got a bit carried away and decided to build a small warband for that; I bought one box of Oathmark Elves and painted those up in a couple of months. Haven't played a game of it though.

Now, my latest venture is to return to 2nd edition 40k with an almost Kill Team size of game (200pts each pretty much); so I have created a really simple 4 page booklet with three linked missions, a little fluff and the army lists. The marine force is 5 guys and the Orks are 12 and a Dreadnought. I've also started building some terrain. I've been working on this project for a few months and so far I've managed to get on track.

That's my advice any way, set small achievable goals one after the other, they don't need to be linked together for some grander plan. You could even just paint up one miniature at a time, with no overall goal at all...maybe SciFi today, another day a Napoleonic mini, then a western or maybe fantasy mini and just flit about like that. Just don't try to force anything, try to find something that gets you salivating about the hobby and go from there.

Good luck to you sir!
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: Harry Faversham on September 25, 2019, 10:39:51 AM
The hobby is relatively mainstream in the UK. WHSmiths stock several hobby magazines. We have a local department store that stocks Valejho paints. More than one local club (although it's sometimes not easy to work out how many).

If you ever get to Scarborough on holiday you're quite welcome to call into the club on Roscoe Street (Roscoe Rooms snooker club Monday and Thursday evenings) either for a game, or just a casual pint and a natter.

Gary

Same here if you ever get to our pokey little seaside (Cleethorpes!) resort. There's always lunacy of some type set up in the New Emporium By The Seaside. If you're that desperate, the Grimsby Wargame Club's onlt a two inch mortar lob from our Hovel too.

:)




Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: armchairgeneral on September 25, 2019, 08:02:15 PM
Vodkafan almost said it. Wargaming in a “Hotel California” hobby.

You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave lol
Title: Re: How do you know when it's time to leave the hobby?
Post by: mcfonz on September 25, 2019, 10:54:08 PM
I too shall extend the invite from the Aftermath Wargamers in Norwich, should you ever find your travels bring your footsteps to the fair county of Norfolk and you be close to Norwich.