A sad temporary farewell ~kicking the habit

[OSHIROmodels]

Sorry to hear that Simon (especially BLAM) 

Take your time mate, we'll see you when we see you 

cheers

James

[Elk101]

Sorry to hear about this Simon. I hope things work out for you. All the best, Steve

[Silent Invader]

I am sorry to hear this Simon but I am also very happy that you have identified a problem and a solution.  I wish you all the best in the journey ahead.   

[Momotaro]

Best of luck mate.

Come back when you're ready - I was out of the hobby for 15 years.  Since I've come back to it, I often take breaks.  Had a splurge of painting in the summer, but right now I'm setting up my own business, so painting takes a back seat.

There are ways - my next project will be 15s, rather than the 28s I have always painted - faster to paint, cheaper to buy.

[janner]

Best of luck, Simon. We'll no doubt still be here when you get back, suitably refreshed.

[Dr DeAth]

Good luck with sorting things out, hope you find a balance.

[Lowtardog]

Hope things sort themselves out mate. I have been there, it is easy to slip into chasing the alloy. I have found myself doing it recently now my woes are sorted.  What you need to do is take comfort in that it could be golf, gambling etc where you have nothing to sell or fall back on. Over the last 3 years I must have sold 70% or more of my collection and it bailed me out of shite quite a few times.

Hobbies are just that if you can afford them they do no harm and you shouldnt feel awful about them however when money is tight you are doing the right thing.

Keep your chin up mate

[von Lucky]

I should add replacing it with a hobby that costs nothing/next to nothing is a good substitute.

Self education (there's plenty of MOOCs like coursera, etc), news devulging (BBC News fed some of that thirst in me) or free exercise like running or walking are all possibilities.

[Captain Blood]

Oh dear. Sorry to hear that Simon. It is a kind of an addiction, and we all suffer from it to some extent or other. But if it's beyond your means or you feel it's out of control, then I think you're right to take radical action. Sorry we won't see you at BLAM, but I hope we will see you back here before long

Cheers.

Richard

[Hammers]

Well put, Richard.

I too think you are doing a wise (and necessary). Get perspective on your habit and I think it will help you getting some balance. I know you are not the only one who felt they have, at times, have spent too much on this hobby of ours.

[joroas]

No, he is not alone....

Conventions thrive on our addiction for that latest period or new sets of shiny toys........

When I was younger and used cash, the cost of things was more apparent...........

[Too Bo Coo]

Sometimes answering the most difficult questions opens the most important doors. Good luck with everything Mate. 

[Gibby]

Simon, I know that situation very well; you are certainly not alone. Best of luck with everything. Hopefully we will see you back and happier in the hobby and in much happier circumstances.

[NurgleHH]

I think it is the right decision. After thinking about it and sorting all things, you can allways start again with this hobby. It is a good way to act when you realize the problem. Respect for this

[Legion1963]

This will probably get me into all sorts of trouble....but to be honest i have been waiting to read a post like that. Usually this subject is discussed with a light heartedness and funny remarks full of presumed "self awareness". But here .... there's a dark and malignent undercurrent to all this. Face up to your demons, instead of walking away. If you do not fight and defeat them, they will be back. Stronger and much harder to contain. Take care, be well