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

Master Modeler:   I know how you feel after 40 years as a model Railroader I just lost interest so I desided to narrow it down to my second love plastic models. Yes I miss model trains but I have moved on to something I like and a darn site less expencive hobby, put your mind to it, it will come back to you good luck to you.                                        Aceses5

Still think you just ought to try opening a fresh kit...  It's hard as hell to go back into a partial build after you've shelved it... But it'll eventually find its way back onto the bench..

tigerman

 

hutchdh:

 

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. 

 

 

Same thing happened to me. I'm trying to finish my Abrams that has been going off and on for 2-3 years. I've burned out on all the wheels and tracks and 500 part kits. I too have gravitated back to planes. My Zero is also going on about the same time-frame. Airplanes also require less weathering, which is probably up my alley since I suck at it anyways and it's time consuming. In armor, a good or bad weathering job can more or less make or break the build.

I recently added some plane kits I once sold, back to the stash, and it's the largest I ever had it. Now got to finish something.

LOL...my stash has gotten huge, ever since I crossed back over to aircraft...I have the bug and can't shake it (not that I want to...I'd rather nurture it).  One of my side excitements is "the hunt" for a good price when I have my sights on a kit.  I too, found the road wheels and weathering of armor quite taxing...but I do love Tiger Tanks....  Again, referring to the stash, I chuckle when a package comes in the mail and my wife always says, "another one?"  But it is lighthearted and she is supportive....

hutchdh

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. 

Same thing happened to me. I'm trying to finish my Abrams that has been going off and on for 2-3 years. I've burned out on all the wheels and tracks and 500 part kits. I too have gravitated back to planes. My Zero is also going on about the same time-frame. Airplanes also require less weathering, which is probably up my alley since I suck at it anyways and it's time consuming. In armor, a good or bad weathering job can more or less make or break the build.

I recently added some plane kits I once sold, back to the stash, and it's the largest I ever had it. Now got to finish something.

Odd, 

I have no friends close to me that build models. The nearest IPMS chapter here is in Columbus, OH and I have no transportation to get there for meets. When I was back in Oklahoma I knew quit a few people that were in the hobby and I always had a few friends to talk shop and swap models with. Since I moved to this one horse town here in Ohio I haven't found anyone here that is interested in the hobby. Even the kids here are not interested in this hobby. I guess numbing your mind with video games and the proverbial X-BOX are all the kids here care about. As for the adults here, I make sure I have my orange hunting vest on at all times and I don't hunt. 

Also, do you have friends who model? Its easy to get inspiration when you're constantly discussing your hobby with your friends. I have a really good friend who models and so does my dad. Just about every day my father texts me pics or other texts about how his most recent build is going. We also meet once a month to do some model related activity. We just went to Mosquito Con up in north Jersey a couple weekends ago and we plan on hitting AMPS East in September. Kind of a father/son model club. But you can see, being surrounded by people who share the same interests as you makes it hard to ignore. That is also a great thing about this forum. Get inspired here, get advice, share information. As you can see, many members of the community have chimed in to help you out of your funk. You can't beat that. We've all been there before.

Mucker and Odd,

I think you guys just gave me the best advice I could get. Maybe I am pushing myself to get back to work on my kit and perhaps your both right and I should just leave it alone for now and ride it out. I recall this is exactly what happened when I returned to the hobby after a ten yrs away. I had a sudden burst of inspiration and got back into the hobby and was turning out kits as if I had never left the hobby.

Another thing that could help is being sure to set aside 'model time'. For me, I won't touch a model if I'm not guaranteed at least 2 hours of an uninterrupted session. Especially if I'm trying to paint. So I try to find time to where I can sit down and enjoy my self. Like you said, it shouldn't be work. If I find myself squeezing in only a few minutes of model time, its frustrating because I feel that I've not accomplished anything - and again as you say, there is nothing better than that sense of accomplishment. My builds usually take a while because of what I've said. With a wife and two very young kids, its hard to stack one hour on top of another to actually get anything done. Don't force yourself to model....wait for a good opportunity and go for it.

Rand: My simple advice would be patience. Simply wait.

This hobby isn't going anywhere. At some point the passion will hit you again. The longer you push yourslef to hop back in, the longer you stay in the cycle. This hobby shoudn't be like homework: you have to do it whether you like it or not. 

Definately stay on board here checking out posts, pictures, GB's, etc. Something will strike that nerve and you'll be back!

Model building has been my main hobby since I was 10 yrs old and its something I have always deeply enjoyed doing. Through the years growing up I didn't always pursue it especially in my teens. For awhile I gave up model building and started collecting and painting fantasy miniatures for the Dungeons & Dragons game and became quite good at painting detail and still paint and collect the gaming figures. I also collect dragons and wizards, so I do have other hobbies aside from model building.

However you cant beat that feeling and sense of accomplishment you get from completing a well done model kit and have everyone say, " you built that model... it looks great". Another thing is the kudos and compliments you get are the best inspiration and best motivator to keep you interested in the hobby and want to start the next model kit and do your best work on that also.

Maybe as some of you pointed out I need a change of pace and maybe look for a car model kit or armor kit to work. I have always wanted to do a star trek or star wars kit too, so that is also an idea for me. Either way I just want to end this slump and get back to the hobby I love most.

AMM- I'm coming off of a seven month unemployment stint and two months into a completely different career (which I'm not crazy about) and can't seem to get moving-one kit 90% complete (and has been since last July) and two Spitfires with the interior that has been painted for about a month-just not motivated....I hope you get back in the groove soon or find a hobby/activity that you enjoy until you are motivated to return to modeling.

Finding an quick & easy build or one completely different from what you normally build may be the ticket.

Good luck.

Manstein's revenge

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...  

double ditto on Manny's post.. if you take a "leave of absense" from the hobby,.,, pack your stuff and stash away,,, the tools, brushes, etc,, don't get cheaper with age and they'll be there if the mood strikes you again..

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...  

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

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

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...

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..

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.

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....

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.

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.

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!

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

 

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.