Don't understand hobby

[richila]

My dolls are doctor approved. Seriously, I suffer from depression and the dolls are an easy indicator to my family when my meds aren't working. When I don't want to play with my dolls, something is wrong. If I leave the house without a doll, my husband knows to ask questions. My doctor feels that those who don't have hobbies they are passionate about have the problem. Any hobby, that does not financially cripple you, helps your mental health. I have even given a talk at my church on my dolls and their role in helping me deal with my depression. I consider dolls and the many friends I have made in the community to be one of the blessings in my life.

[Kirahfaye]

I have to agree that the person who considers your doll hobby a "sickness" should be cut out of your group of friends. My husband doesn't share my enjoyment of doll collecting, he doesn't really get it, actually, but he is supportive of anything that brings me happiness and even went so far as to give me a bjd this past Christmas. He spends plenty of money on dice, board games and gaming books, himself. My mom doesn't get it at all either, but as she's stated several times - if I enjoy the dolls that's good enough for her.

Most people have something they are willing to spend a lot of money on, whether it's large sums all at one time (like dolls or upkeep on a boat) or small amounts constantly (like going out to dinner or hitting the bars). No one has the right to judge someone else over the use of their own money as long as it's legal and it doesn't keep them from paying their bills and putting food on the table.

Shame on them for being so narrow minded and mean spirited.

[Alopecia No Hime]

My hobby is usually how my mom can tell how I'm feeling...If I'm not spoiling rotten the newest member of the 'family' then something's up...Recently I got really stressed out over a money issue and I thought for a moment I'd have to thin out my doll collection. I even summed up that my tan Resinsoul Bei would probably get some money in but the mere idea of selling my dolls..My babies basically reduced me to tears..Literally. I even choked up just admitting to my mom I was thinking if I had to I would sell Avalon...Avalon was my birthday present last year and he means everything to me, if I had to pick one doll to take with me during a fire it would likely be him. Not my first doll, not Kaname, not Riven or Haruhi. Not even my grail doll Vala. It would always be Avalon.

You know what she told me?

"Don't ever, ever feel like you have to sell them in order to make someone happy. Those are your dolls and I don't want you to sell any one of them. They make you happy so why do something that'd make you miserable?"

Which is true...I've sold off an American girl doll before but I didnt' regret it...Selling off my BJD's? It'd kill my spirit more then likely.

Those jerks need to get a foot shoved up their ass. "You have a sickness" why not tell them: "Oh yeah? What about YOUR sickness? Jerkitis?"

[quidam]

I've gotten the "I don't understand" line before, but never anything referring it to a sickness. (I've never understood what exactly there is to "understand"...)

Personally, if I had a friend who voiced the thought that I had a "sickness" due to being in the doll hobby, I would probably just avoid mentioning dolls around them. Whether it is valid or not, they have a right to their opinion, and as long as they didn't keep pushing their opinions on me, then I would just let it be. Obviously, if this person brings it up again and again, even if the dolls aren't around or being discussed, then, yeah, they themselves probably have an issue, and I'd probably start avoiding them.

I can think of many other things which I know that I have extremely different opinions on than those of my friends. If I know a subject or opinion will cause grief I just avoid it around them. And, yes, some of of my opinions and thoughts would probably very easily lose me friends. Sometimes they slip out,and I'm certain I've hurt their feelings from time to time, but I hope no one would ever cut me off just because I saw something differently than they did, especially if it wasn't something that I would go out of my way to point out.

[Trethowan]

maywong until she presents you with her degree in psychiatry and has formally diagnosed you as a patient I wouldn't be throwing those big words around.

Indeed!

[maywong]

Thanks everyone. I don't really see or talk with the girlfriend who said I have a sickness. The other girlfriend who thinks it's a waste of time and money. Has a lot issues of her own. Some examples are, she thinks she is right all the time. All my medical problems stem from not washing my hands every 20 mins. Also I don't do enough research on the internet but then tells me not to believe everything I read. Needless to say I don't hang out with her either.

[knittnkitten]

it could be worse. you could be considering doing an extensive cosplay for a humanized character from Don't hug me I'm scared. now that is a sickness.

[Siead]

people say you're sick because you have a hobby?

only one response to that!

[Alopecia No Hime]

people say you're sick because you have a hobby?

only one response to that!

Best response EVER.

[Lamia of the Dark]

I've had my idiot teenage brother tell me dolls are stupid... that's about the worst thing anyone has said to me about it. I can't imagine being told the things that your "friends" said to you. (I have had to explain the artwork aspect of it to family members after the aforementioned idiot teenage brother told my aunts at a family gathering that I "play with dolls"... )