Bummed out...

[MidMazar]

wow thats a great collection, it seems a lot of people put down a model and start a new one for different reasons, i for one put it down cause i get too anxious. There has to be a car you really want to finish out of your huge collection. Hey btw do you want to get rid of that tamiya golf v5 by any chance?

[proosen]

Originally Posted by JTRACING

I say do somthing totally differant, try building a motorcycle or something like that. a change like that could get you excited abouit it again

Yupp!
That's what I do when the inspiration for cars/bikes is down the drain. Mostly I tend to build some cool WW2 aircraft in 1/72, it's a relief as I don't have any expectations on the result just trying to learn something new on the way. Somehow I always get back into civilian vehicles after a while and find myself building a new car again. I, like you have quite a big pile of unbuilt kits and everyone is in some state of progress. What I've done now is to try finish one before starting a new one over, it's hard but it keeps me focused in a whole different way than before. Hey! If it's getting you sad, give it a rest for a while...eventually you'll find the spark again and in no time you'll be at it again, don't force it...just let it come.

Niclas

More Corsair pics

[hirofkd]

How about sighing up for a blog? Usually, the blog pages are formatted such that you want to update often. Maybe not everyday, but you still don't want blank marks on the calendar. Also, you can participate in contests. That will set you deadlines.

[99civichic]

Originally Posted by ZoomZoomMX-5

I have mucho downtime...I like models, I generally enjoy building them, but my free time gets spent on websites, PS2, and other things. Taking way more time looking at/talking about models but not building them.

I WISH I had this problem!!! I have NO downtime right now. I have class 3-4 hours a day and homework adds up to about 10 hours, and I still don't finish!!! It's driving me crazy because I promised a friend I'd have his model done by Spring Break, and I haven't even started yet. I also want to finish my Cobra, but I don't think I can even touch it until May at the earliest. I think I'm gonna lose it. Worse, midterms are starting up so what little time I did have will now be spent studying. I can't even check out this site during class because I actually have to seriously pay attention (I don't usually screw around during class, but this semester it's like I'm drowning) and then some of my classes don't even have computers with internet, how rude. If I can make it through this semester, I will be amazed. If I make it through sane, well I don't think I can do that. And if I finish one more model this semester, well, that'd be great. Impossible goal, but it'd make me happy! Hey, that snap-tite is starting to look pretty good......

Sorry to hijack your thread.

[malsheem]

Being creative individuals with a nonstop flow of modeling ideas coming from all outlets automotive related, we tend to lose interest in some projects as something new and unique steals our attention. I am always like this, like most of us here. I had a severe problem with this in 2004. So for 2005, I adopted a new policy. A few tips that I use ...

Like David mentioned, force yourself not to start another kit while your building one. I tried this, but couldn't handle it, so I found a middle ground. Have a couple of side kits you poke around with when you are not motivated on your main kit. Key word is poke around. Don't start the new kit, just do little things. Example, after seeing the limited Nismo Skyline Z-tune, I thought to myself, Nismo should do that for the Silvia, too. So I began to plan a model for how I would do this car. This is my side project. During slow patches with my primary build, I've slowly worked on this, just a small piece of it though. Right now, I've only finished the front bumper. Also I'm helping a friend of mine with a military diorama, so that is also providing a bit of a change (it's cool not having to worry about a mirror perfect finish).

Keep a journal of your modeling tasks and ideas. Make a list of what you are going to do next on a particular project or what subassemblies you still have to work on. That way when you sit down to work on your kit, you know what there is to do. Let's you stay focused. Also when new modeling ideas strike you, don't run to a kit. Run to a journal. Jot down your thoughts and notes about your new idea. This way you can keep a record of it for later without adding another kit to your in-progress pile.

And one last thing, try to stop buying so many kits. I found that going into the closet to get stuff or store new kits I just bought and seeing the unbuilts was a bit of a downer. This year I've only bought three kits, and two of those were pre-ordered from last year.

For me, 2005 is going good with these things in place. I started my Blitz Chaser on Jan. 21. Three weeks into the project, I am very near completion with just the chassis to sort out. Body is finished and polish. Interior is done. I am very happy with this pace, plus no other kits started this year.

[sugarfree]

one thing that i dont really get (honest...!!) is that how can you manage to 'stock' that much kit?? i can understand if this particular one or that particular one is one of the rare find. but that much of common 'cars' or 'vehicles' .... cant get my brain around it to make a reason.

btw, yea... agree with what have been said earlier. we do have our down time. but for me, making a huge mistakes or things like that really put me down. i already put aside at least 3 kits. 2 that i dont know when i will continue, and 1 that im not sure of what im gonna do.

must agree with the earlier post, watch a lot of cars related program. especially if you like cars or a car enthusiasts. subscribe an automotive magazine monthly will do good to arouse ur interest of building cars.

or.... another simpler one is to make a time frame. finish ur 'in-progress' kits through the summer break or anything like that, by next month or by mid of this year. that actually bring ur self up a bit by meeting the 'deadline'.

my suggestion is to try to start building if you have enough interest to fiddle with ur tools and ready to face the problems u may face while building one. that is what i always do.

[rapstagangsta]

I'm in the same boat as you. I have 5 models that I've started, but I can't be bothered finishing them.

Perhaps what you could do is buy yourself a cheap 'snaptogether' kit(you know the ones that can be put together in like 5 minutes), just to get you back in 'the zone'. It might inspire you to finish your unfinished models. Also, put all those boxes somewhere where you can't see them(like a cupboard), because maybe the reason you don't want to build anything is because you look at all those boxes and think "Man, I have to build all of those!". If you can't see all those future projects, then it will help you concentrate on what you have already started.

Failing that, I'm sure there's a few keen AF'ers who wouldn't mind getting their grubby little hands on some of those kits!

[Sticky Fingers]

Luckily (through lack of funds AND being a newbie) I don't have your problem.

I think your biggest problem is the amount of kits you have. I think you should give SERIOUS consideration to the thought of selling them. I don't think having that many kits is inspiring. It's obvious you're gonna feel bad cos you want all of them built.......NOW!!!

Seriously, I suggest selling as many kits as possible - don't think about it - do it, either on ebay or on this site. You have to be hard with yourself here. Just keep the kits you have started to build plus maybe two (maximum) unbuilt kits. This should make you build what you have. And, no, don't buy new kits with the money you make - buy extra detailing for the cars you are building, or stock up on paint, or put it in the bank.

This problem WON'T go away unless you take drastic action. Have you ever heard of 'hoarders', you're gonna end up as one of those. You'll end up with hundreds & hundreds of kits, with hardly any built, then ten years down the line you'll jack it all in. If that's what you want - fine. But - if that's not what you want - tougher action is required.

Hope you get out of this rut. Feelin' for you

[mickbench]

Sometimes out of work hobbies can become hard to keep your mind stimulated. The mind wants all the very latest, and you keep spending the money, sadly though an untimely boredom sets in and your mind looses it’s interest. I also believe that sometimes with hobbies you set your own standards “way” too high. And this creates an uneasy feeling of not being good enough. Total rubbish, and the hobby is just a pastime and shouldn’t be taken overly seriously.

I myself have just found the same situation with playing computer games. My mind just couldn’t focus and keeping my mentality to continue was more time consuming then actually playing the game. I’ve since taken a break from playing games, and turned to model car building. I think sometimes the hobby becomes “boring” or no longer instils any drive into your mind, therefore you lose interest more quickly. This is common as already seen from the replies you are not alone.

Plus as Sticky Fingers has mentioned, you are spoilt for kits to build. I wouldn’t sell any though. Hide them, forget about them, and go and buy a new kit. Just one kit.!! Make this your project, no matter how long it takes. Sod the quality just build it stock. Take your time, don’t aim for a high standard, make a mistake – sod it, just continue. Get bored with it, go for a walk or do something else, but you must ALWAYS go back to this kit. And remember HIDE all your existing kits. Don’t be tempted to start another kit from the ones you have hidden.

I found this worked with me and computer games. I installed JUST one game, and played it, and I managed to rekindle my love for computer games. And the break I'm having at the moment building cars will help to strenghten my love for computer games. I now have two hobbies. Computer games, and car building. I can switch between the two. Maybe you also need another “side” hobbie..!!

[Sticky Fingers]

Just don't have too many "side" hobbies! Mine include PS2, DJing, Music Production & Graphic Design (though that is also my job), in between all this I have to try and find time for my fiancee!!!

Too many hobbies can drive you daft. Some nights I think, shall I spin a few discs? Shall I start work on another club thumper? Shall I play GTA San Andreas? Shall I continue working on my 'in progress' model? Shall I pleasure my fiancee?

The problem for me is time-management. Soemtimes I don't know which hobby to do & just end up on the couch slouching in front of 'brain-drain' tv!

P.S. There's always time to do the ol missus pleasuring! hehehe

[Jurva]

Sounds familiar. One thing that helped me was, that I wanted to participate to model contest. Therefore i had to finish couple of kits. I finished 3 kits just for the show and started and finished 1 whole kit. Try this tip.

[freakmech]

First i would like to thank everybody for responding! alot of you are people i have a ton of respect for and have inspired me for a couple years now so i especially thank you! i feel a bit better and i knew i wasnt alone. but when the love of your life falls flat its scary. i think you all have some valid points.
Mark really hit the nail on the head for me though. Before i found this site a couple years ago i didnt know any car modellers and so i had nothing to reference my work to so i was always happy with a build. but then i found all of you wonderfully talented modellers and i was blown away and down on my own skills. but i learned alot from you all and ive gotten very good at modelling which is a blessing and i thank you all very much. sometimes i cant believe some of the work i do. BUT now the problem is that the curbside kit i used to build in 2 months now takes 8-9 months because of all the detail im capable of and its hard for me to stay inspired because my original inspiration was sparked by a show or article i read. but 7-8 months later that spark isnt there anymore.
Its hard to not add detail when your capable of doing it but i look at all my kits and i no longer think " that would be fun to build", now i think " that carbon fiber is gonna take a week, the paint 3 weeks and so on". like now i know how long kits will take to be good so i dont even bother.
I'll snap out of it but i think im going to build a motorcycle, thats a good idea. i dont care for them so i shouldnt be disapointed if i blow right through it in a few weeks with no detail. I just wish these things didnt take so long is all.
Thanks again everybody it meant alot to me that you all responded. your a really great group of people and i cant tell you all how happy i am that i found this forum! you guys always cheer me up when im down. thanks and i promise ill be back at it soon and ill take all your suggestions into consideration as i think im going to go through a rebirthing of this hobby and not take it quite so serious. its a hobby, i need to enjoy it!

[Samurai75007]

I to have a few models started but my problem is that I have no airbrush so I don’t feel like trying to do anything else.