Dealing With Burn Out........

[ISDAvenger]

Question for my fellow AFOL's. I am going through a period of dark times....you know the Empire. Anyway, Lego Star Wars collector, primarily O/T, TFA, and RO and have been doing it since around 2009/2010. I have built a couple MOCs, with my last taking 2 years to complete. On my last MOC I spend the last 9 to 12 months building nearly every day for about 6 to 8 hours a day to reach a deadline. During the last 12 months of my build I was also buying LSW sets as they were released. I would not build them as I promised myself I would not until my MOC was done and surprisingly I was able to do that. I pretty much completed my MOC right before BF AL 17, with a few finishing touches needing to be completed after the show. Once the show was complete...I hit a WALL. Had no interest in finishing the MOC or even building the sets I bought. So now I have a stack....well stacks of unbuilt sets waiting to be built...and a MOC needing its finishing touches...and a few minor revisions to be complete as well........but no energy or really interest to do either. I did build one set...but the enjoyment seemed to be lacking. I fear that those 9 to 12 months of binge building burned me out...bad. I have thought about selling my entire collection.......but worried about regretting it..since I have been down that road before. Some days I get an interest to build....but I never commit to it. Have taken up another hobby...but really don't have the space or the money to do both....so yeah.

I know a bit of a diatribe, and probably could have used cliff notes. Just wondering if any of you have experienced it and what advice/help can you offer? 

Thanks!

[Darkdragon]

I recommend boxing things up and storing somewhere safe (not in the attic unless it's well insulated). It may take a few years, but you'll be back and you definitely will be hindered if you were to try and re-buy all the star wars sets if you sell them. This seems to happen to people for various reasons and selling it all off (unless you need the money) is usually not the answer future-you would want.

[Trekkie99]

8 hours ago, Darkdragon said:

I recommend boxing things up and storing somewhere safe (not in the attic unless it's well insulated). It may take a few years, but you'll be back and you definitely will be hindered if you were to try and re-buy all the star wars sets if you sell them. This seems to happen to people for various reasons and selling it all off (unless you need the money) is usually not the answer future-you would want.

Agreed. Put them away somewhere safe and clean, you'll get your Lego itch back sooner or later. 

Tip? Keep a set and/or MOC out of storage that is important or has sentimental value to you and display it somewhere like on a shelf. 

I'm speaking from experience. My two big hobbies are Lego and bicycles, and I'm constantly switching in between hobbies often losing complete interest in the other. 

Most importantly? Don't worry about it! You'll come back to your other hobbies all in good time. Remember, this is supposed to be fun. So don't force yourself back into a hobby.

Cheers. 

[Fuppylodders]

I wouldn't worry too much, it's like binge eating chocolate, great feeling to start with and Oh so tasty! But when you've eaten that 1kg bar in one sitting you're left feeling bored of it, stuffed and done with chocolate for the time being (yes, that was me haha)... 

Don't sell, as has been said, future you will regret it. If you can afford to not sell it, just box it up, and again, as someone said, keep one moc out that is your favourite. Go enjoy your other hobby, let that take your interest and just see how things go. Maybe you need a year break, maybe 5, maybe even 10! But you'll likely come back out of that dark age again at some point, and be glad you didn't sell it all. 

I know how you feel, currently due to circumstances, I'm back living with my mum, so I have my Lego in the loft, garage and bedroom. But I have no space to build anything. I also have another hobby (painting WH40k) which again, I can't really get back into due to lack of painting space. I'm currently feeling a bit 'meh' to both of them because realistically, they will both be on hold for at least another year and a half before I get my own place. 

But it's OK, when the time comes, I know they'll be there waiting for me with open arms :) 

[peedeejay]

Go to the beach, get some fresh air and by the time its winter, you will jump right back onto the bricks. ;-)

[ReplicaOfLife]

6 hours ago, peedeejay said:

Go to the beach, get some fresh air and by the time its winter, you will jump right back onto the bricks. ;-)

[Lego Cliché #1] But that hurts so bad! [/Lego cliché #1]

[Peppermint_M]

I had a year like that, lots of sets sat un-built, MOCs just not happening and even approaching the idea of a build didn't appeal. I kept the sets stored away.

I got my groove back and I started building again. The burnout wasn't just LEGO related, so I had taken time to refresh myself. I spent time on less demanding hobbies and other interests. It sounds like you turned your hobby into a second job, so no wonder you're feeling the burnout. All I can really advise is: Keep those sets! If you shift them away then you'll only regret it.

[LAKAbricks]

I can easily imagine how working on the same project 6 to 8 hours every day for a year can burn your energy and wish for building. When at the same time, you avoid to build other sets/MOCs that could have served as breaks from the big project, it is no wonder you got fed up.

As you already imply yourself, and also agreed upon by fellow EB'ers, selling your collection is not the answer. Most like you will regain your energy, creativity and want for building LEGO again. Your new hobby is a way of removing you from want burns you out and rebuilding your energy. So, put your bricks and big ideas/projects away. Eventually keep a small "emergency kit" within reach, should your wish for building return for a while. With just a small portion of bricks (e.g. a smaller set), you are not "obliged" to dig up big ideas or get involved full time again, you can just sit down, relax and build a little.

Go out, enjoy your new hobby and let bricks be bricks.