The Mother of All Slumps. ( Advice NEEDED Badly! )

Just do it.

Easier said than done there Manstein. I have tried the " just do it " attitude and I sit there just looking at it and then lose interest. This is driving me CRAZY!

Build something else then. The last thing any of us need is a ball-and-chain. Go buy an armor or a car model.

Rand- I feel for you brother!

I had a similar experience a few years back.  What I did to overcome it was to put aside the kit I was working on, completely out of sight.  I looked through the stash, found a subject that really looked like a fun build, and just built it for the fun of it.  After that, I was able to pull out the kit that put me into that awful rut and finish it.  I hope that helps, and also hope that you are able to break your slump.

Air Master,

I think we all go through the loss of interest stage. We do have other things going on in life.

"Just doing it" doesn't work for me either. If I do it results in crappy workmanship and fubar's.

Time is the best healer.

I say continue not to do any models if you really don't want want to.You shouldn't need to force yourself to participate in your "hobby".When you feel like it ,you will know and you will start up again.Forcing yourself will result in a bad half-hearted effort.It's not work after all,no one is making you.Just do it when you are 100% ready.

Oh, we have all been there. I can think of a few things that will hopefully spark your interest.

1. Watch a movie or youtube clip that contains your subject.

2. Model another medium. For instance, I'm an armor builder, so I would build a plane.

3. Go to a local hobby club or an IMPS event. I guarantee after seeing other's works, you can't help but want to hit the bench.

4. Read a good related book

I was suffering though what you were going through for sure. I decided that tracks and wheels were getting tedious, so I started work on my dormant Zero. Well the passion started to flare up and this weekend I added 4 more props to my stash at the IMPS show. I still love armor modeling, and I'm working hard to finish my Abrams, but now I have a nice balance in the stash, so when I burn out on one, I have another medium to pick me up.

There are a lot of good inspirational pointers here. I usually respark my interest by doing what Tigerman suggests, that being either watch a documentary or related film on the subject or read a book about what I'm attempting to model. You'd be surprised how fast that can get you back on track.

On the other hand, I will not purchase a model or start modeling a kit that I wasn't interested in building in the first place. I generally go to the hobby shop with a specific purpose in mind. I'm not an impulse buyer when it comes to models. Then I feel I'll have some interest in what I"m trying to create. Either that, or I find someone who would like a model built for them, like my father or my uncle for instance. Its hard to lose interest when someone is looking forward to your work.

I often find that I don't lose interest in building the model itself but I lose interest in the work involved. I don't have a dedicated work space. I store all my items in drawers and cabinets and work off the dining room table. So when I want to model, nothing is readily accessible. So If I don't feel like pulling everything out to work on, I won't. Thats the hardest part for me, the set up and the tear down.

Sh*t-can the idea of restarting/finishing the current project...  If you're anything like me, you have a favorite part of the assembly process, and you've likely passed that stage with the Phantom.. My favorite part is the cockpit on aircraft, so a new build may re-ignite the desire...

Manstein's revenge

Just do it.

Exactly, just get youself one of Manny's women and you'll be fine.

Thank you everyone for all your great advice!

Oddmanrush and Manny made fine points that really relates to me. While I do have a workbench in my apartment to work on my kits, I think I have been looking at model building as work and not for fun. I have a few others kits on hand to work on and just might take Manny's advice and start my F-86D and shelf the Phantom. Another thing is as some of you know, a couple of years ago I had 20+ model kits, all my tools and reference materials all stolen from me by a person I was living with who kicked me to the curb and kept all my kits and tools. This really discouraged me from model building and still does sometimes. I am still trying to replace everything I lost and lack of finances for this has been a major problem.

I also live alone now and have no one here to show off my work to and I think this had been a contributing  factor because this is the first time I have lived by myself and I am used to having someone here to show off my progress to. My EX wife was very supportive of my hobby and always appreciated and encouraged my passion for the hobby. My current girlfriend has no interest in this hobby and knows nothing about military weapons systems and hates when I bring it up. I miss this encouragement and support I used to have because it really motivated me to do my best on every kit I built.

My problem also is the lack of good reference materials. I used to have all the books about modern combat aircraft and never had to use the internet to look anything up unless there was a specific detail about my subject I wanted to know. It's not easy to work on a kit and have to stop and look it up the internet before I can get back to workbench. Our library here has a very ( very ) limited selection of books on military aircraft.

OK, I am starting to ramble on here but I think you guys get the idea. I do hope to break this slump soon and get back to this wonderful hobby.

Thanks again everyone!

Air Master Modeler

My current girlfriend has no interest in this hobby and knows nothing about military weapons systems and hates when I bring it up.

Hmmm....I was right, sounds like you need one of Manny's women.

mg.mikael

 

Air Master Modeler:

 

My current girlfriend has no interest in this hobby and knows nothing about military weapons systems and hates when I bring it up.

 

 

Hmmm....I was right, sounds like you need one of Manny's women.

I don't think I need any of Manny's women.... Bearded ladies are not my thing. LMBO!

Just  kidding.

Did anyone mention Group builds?  They seem to provide a good motivation to finish  a project.  And like some of you said, the research involved really gets the juices flowing.  Just simply seeing the great stuff that everyone else is doing inspires me to get down to business.  But most of all it has to remain fun.  That is the original intent.  Rick.

Wab, I originally started my Phantom for the MiG Killers II GB I started last year, it was my second project for it having already done an F/A-18C ( O.D.S. MiG Killer ).  However, this has not a motivator for me and in June I will be ending the MiG Killers II GB.

Air Master Modeler

mg.mikael:

 

Air Master Modeler:

 

My current girlfriend has no interest in this hobby and knows nothing about military weapons systems and hates when I bring it up.

 

 

Hmmm....I was right, sounds like you need one of Manny's women.

 

I don't think I need any of Manny's women.... Bearded ladies are not my thing. LMBO!

Just  kidding.

Manstein's revenge

 

Air Master Modeler:

 

 

mg.mikael:

 

Air Master Modeler:

 

My current girlfriend has no interest in this hobby and knows nothing about military weapons systems and hates when I bring it up.

 

 

Hmmm....I was right, sounds like you need one of Manny's women.

 

 

I don't think I need any of Manny's women.... Bearded ladies are not my thing. LMBO!

Just  kidding.

 

I haven't had a bearded woman since I stole your wife from you.  I made her shave, by the way...

 

HEY!!!

Now that was TOTALLY UNCALLED for!!!!!!.

I was making a joke, not insulting your wife or girlfriend Manny!!!!

If you cant take a joke and come back without being insulting stay off my thread dude!!!

Air Master Modeler

Manstein's revenge:

 

Air Master Modeler:

 

 

mg.mikael:

 

Air Master Modeler:

 

My current girlfriend has no interest in this hobby and knows nothing about military weapons systems and hates when I bring it up.

 

 

Hmmm....I was right, sounds like you need one of Manny's women.

 

 

I don't think I need any of Manny's women.... Bearded ladies are not my thing. LMBO!

Just  kidding.

 

I haven't had a bearded woman since I stole your wife from you.  I made her shave, by the way...

 

 

HEY!!!

Now that was TOTALLY UNCALLED for!!!!!!.

I was making a joke, not insulting your wife or girlfriend Manny!!!!

If you cant take a joke and come back without being insulting stay off my thread dude!!!

 

But I haven't had a good dust-up in awhile, however; so if you'd like, take your best shot.  I'm always game. I'll have you back, sulking over your model, in no time.  

Manstein's revenge

 

 

I was making a joke as well...if you can dish it out you better learn how to take it....dude.

 

But I haven't had a good dust-up in awhile, however; so if you'd like, take your best shot.  I'm always game. I'll have you back, sulking over your model, in no time.  

NO!!! That was not a joke that was a blatant insult to my ex wife to whom I still remain friends with and I take a strong offense to anyone that insults her like that. I CAN take it as well as dish it out BUT, if you want to be a horses ANUS don't do it on MY thread. I came here looking for help and you come off as always like an Anus-hole!!!

STAY OFF MY THREAD! I do not need your stinking advice that bad. Go crawl back under your rock!

This is the very reason I DO NOT respect you!

GO AWAY!

Manstein's revenge

 

 

I was making a joke as well...if you can dish it out you better learn how to take it....dude.

 

But I haven't had a good dust-up in awhile, however; so if you'd like, take your best shot.  I'm always game. I'll have you back, sulking over your model, in no time.  

NO!!! That was not a joke that was a blatant insult to my ex wife to whom I still remain friends with and I take a strong offense to anyone that insults her like that. I CAN take it as well as dish it out BUT, if you want to be a horses ANUS don't do it on MY thread. I came here looking for help and you come off as always like an Anus-hole!!!

STAY OFF MY THREAD! I DO NOT need your stinking advice that bad. Go crawl back under your rock!

This is the very reason I DO NOT respect you!

GO AWAY!

Whoa! Going off like that was totally uncalled for Air Master Modeler. First calm down, take a few breaths, and relax. You're taking things way too seriously and out of context.

By the way their's no need to shout (aka caps) I can read just fine.

I apologize for my remarks to Manny's posts here but he has a very bad habit of posting insulting comments like that without thought, consideration or respect for the person who started the post. This is not the first time and I am sure it wont be his last. I will make a point of ignoring him in the future

Now thanks to him I am going to have this thread locked so he cannot continue his triad of insults.

Yeah, but the bad news is, unless you are an administrator, you can only lock your own posts - meaning people can't respond directly to the post.  However, as you see here, it is still possible to post in the thread itself by simply replying to someone else's posts.

Bummer....

To help get this thread back on track I can share a similar experience a few years back.  I used to build primarily WWII German armor, but lost the luster.  My last two kits were the Fehrmann Tiger and AFV Sturmtiger.  They are about 90% finished, but the meticulous detailing made it more of a chore and the fun was lost.  I couldn't explain what happened to me. 

I then picked up an airplane kit and it was like a large snowball being pushed off a mountainside.  I am back to being out of control on building my stash and can't wait for finding extra time to work on my kits.  I still have many armor kits that I know I will get back to someday, or sell on ebay. 

But as some have said, I focus on enjoying the kit and hobby , introduce virety, and I mostly enjoy the fellowship with other modelers...that keeps the spark going for me.  Also, I am fascinated at some of the techniques many of the talented folks have displayed on this forum and I try to make a go at it which brings challenge into my life and helps me to keep focus on things other than work, etc. 

Not sure this will help, but stick with it and eventually the love may come back.

I to had a about a 2 yr slump.. new GF,, took alot of my time.. she brought 3 kids and added them to my 1.. went from me and my son living in the house to adding 4 more peeps and another dog.. sports and keeping everyone's vehicle repaired ate alot of my time.. and my GF didn't quite understand the man-cave thing and sniffing glue and stretching sprue..  but I finally got back in.. picked a quick easy fun build.. and that broke the slump.. for me anyways.. I see its been mentioned here before, that might be the ticket..

Ps.. I do honestly think Manny was cracking a joke... and not trying to be disrespectfull..

Group Builds works best for me.  I work slow due to my hectic schedules but I find GBs to help me... I work better under pressure or when deadlines are approaching.  So far I am working on second kit in four month... thanks to the motivation I get from GBs.  But you have to be careful because sometimes GB moderator is not doing the job right. 

Ps... Agree with P38... Manny didn't meant to disrepect you.  Let's move on...

Pick up a Zuiho kit---it always motivates me...just do it!

Or you could simply quit. Take the "slump" as a sign that modeling no longer interests you and find a new gig.

Whatever you do, don't sell off all your stuff.  I've had to "restart" the hobby about three times during my life, and that gets expensive.  Most people always come back into it...