Info Favorites Register Log in
myArmoury.com Discussion Forums

Forum index Memberlist Usergroups Spotlight Topics Search
Forum Index > Off-topic Talk > Suggestions for someone losing intrest Reply to topic
This is a standard topic Go to page 1, 2  Next 
Author Message
Michael F.




Location: Vermont
Joined: 27 Mar 2005
Reading list: 2 books

Posts: 106

PostPosted: Sat 08 Apr, 2006 2:55 pm    Post subject: Suggestions for someone losing intrest         Reply with quote

For the past few months I have been "loosing interest" in swords & armour etc. I am still interested and want to learn more as this is such a broad topic. I've also been loosing touch with what is going on here and have not posted for a while. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on anything to do to get me a bit more interested or possibly direct me towards any books/ websites/ treads here I have missed. I hope it doesn't sound like a moral support thread Razz .
Thanks
-Michael F.

"Tis but a scratch.....A scratch? your arm's off!"-- Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
View user's profile Send private message
G. Scott H.




Location: Arizona, USA
Joined: 22 Feb 2005

Posts: 410

PostPosted: Sat 08 Apr, 2006 3:11 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hmmm...that's a tough one. My three main interests (hobbies) are: swords &armour, muzzleloading guns, and archery. I know that I personally go through "phases" where I temporarily "lose" interest in one hobby and get back into one of the others. There doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason to it, it just happens. A few months ago, i was posting regularly on a muzzleloading forum I belong to, and I wasn't posting/checking in here much at all. Now, it's the reverse; I'm back into the swords & armour thing. It's not so much that I lose interest in these hobbies altogether, it's more like my interest waxes and wanes, but I always eventually get back into whichever hobby(ies) I've been neglecting. Maybe the same is true of you.
It's sort of like within the sword hobby, one week I'll be obsessed with Type XVIII swords and gothic armour, while the next, I'll be more interested in Crusades era stuff: Type X or XII swords, nasal helms, and heater or kite shields, etc. I wouldn't worry about losing interest altogether, but rather, see it as a phase you're going through. I often find that when I'm in a phase where my interest in swords & armour has waned, if I watch a movie on the subject, it rekindles my interest, though not always.
In short, give yourself some time, and don't sweat it. I think you'll find that one day, out of the blue, your interest will return. Happy
View user's profile Send private message
Greyson Brown




Location: Windsor, Colorado
Joined: 22 Nov 2004
Reading list: 15 books

Posts: 812

PostPosted: Sat 08 Apr, 2006 3:25 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I find that I go through "spurts." Right now, I am keenly interested, but too tired (the result of working 14 hour days, and a bit over the weekend as well) to really do anything about it. I am kind of in lurk mode here (though I've actually posted a bit in the last couple days). At other times, my interest will wane a bit for no obvious reason (I wish I could say it is because I have to go drive the girls off with a stick, but, alas, such is not the case). I don't think that is inherently bad. After all, there are other facets of life that require ones attention from time to time.

Even if there aren't other things vying for your attention, you might find your interest wandering (I just spent 20 minutes looking at replica smallswords, which definately fits in the "uncommon" catagory for me, and a couple of nights ago the evening was devoted to contemplating accessories for my 1911). I seriously doubt that you are going to "lose interest." Your level of dedication/ the priority of swords and armour might wane for a bit, but it will wax again later. It's not anything that I would worry about too much, but if you are concerned, I would suggest doing some casual research on items that you have not studied before (like maces, shields, or my foray into smallswords).

Also, if you are like me, when your interest in swords waxes, you bank account wanes, so it might not be that bad an idea for some of us to "lose interest" from time to time (if, of course, you consider food to be more important than swords.)

-Grey

P.S. Since G. Scott H. posted while I was typing: I have found watching a movie to be a either a big boost or a big dud (sometimes I can't bring myself to sit through a given movie), and I blame it more on the natural rotation of interests than on the effect of the movie.

Also interesting to notice that G. Scott H. and I both use the terms "wax" and "wane" in refeence to the way our interests transition; maybe we should keep a calendar to see if there is some kind of lunar influence on sword collection. Big Grin

"So long as I can keep the path of honor I am well content."
-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The White Company
View user's profile Send private message
Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin


myArmoury Admin

PostPosted: Sat 08 Apr, 2006 3:43 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

In many ways, my interests have also changed over the last couple years.

I’ve been thinking of this whole arms and armour hobby thing for a long time. It just doesn’t do it for me like it used to. I'm still interested in the whole of the hobby, but the owning and collecting part hasn't really been something I've been into for awhile now.

Having myArmoury and putting out articles, reading what others have to say, owning and reading about the stuff in books: these are all much more interesting to me now days. I’m just not all that into having a bunch of sharp steel things in my house.

Six or seven years ago I was into the reenactment side of things. I still have many costumes and other kit accessories from that time. I've parted with most of it, but I still have a lot of cash invested in that stuff, and yet it's unlikely to ever really grab me again.

I guess I can put forth that hobbies and interests do change and my solution has been to find a new, but related, way of making it exciting again. As I mentioned, having a site like this has done it for me. Others who have written for the site have told me that it brings a new interest to them and gets them jazzed and then that excitement goes down the line to the related things the hobby has to offer. Many others have told me that meeting new people through forums like this and other events has added the human element that keeps them interested. When one does this, the "stuff" becomes secondary.

.:. Visit my Collection Gallery :: View my Reading List :: View my Wish List :: See Pages I Like :: Find me on Facebook .:.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Joe Fults




Location: Midwest
Joined: 02 Sep 2003

Posts: 3,646

PostPosted: Sat 08 Apr, 2006 4:30 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

For most of us this is just a hobby. Interests and diversions can and do change, so I say just do whatever floats your boat for now. I suspect that some time away will help you decide if this stuff really matters to you. If it does you'll find a way back to it. It is does not, its all just water under the bridge.
"The goal shouldn’t be to avoid being evil; it should be to actively do good." - Danah Boyd
View user's profile Send private message
Matt G




Location: Bay Area, California
Joined: 14 Feb 2004
Likes: 1 page
Reading list: 1 book

Posts: 73

PostPosted: Sat 08 Apr, 2006 4:47 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I guess the best bit of advice I could give is, "Don't force it". After all, it's a hobby and when hobbies stop being fun and require you to do more than you really want, they become work. Life's far too short for an excessive amount of that!

That being said, If you just aren't sure where to direct your energies, you may try a Do-It-Yourself project. Making your own sword or armor related gear can be lots of fun. You could work with fabric, leather, wood, metal, etc, and each project can demand different sets of skills that can be a great challenge.

Best of luck which ever path you go down, and whatever you do, make sure it's fun!

"Speak what you think today in words as hard as cannon-balls and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said today."

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address
Craig Peters




PostPosted: Sat 08 Apr, 2006 6:05 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Nathan Robinson wrote:
In many ways, my interests have also changed over the last couple years.

I’ve been thinking of this whole arms and armour hobby thing for a long time. It just doesn’t do it for me like it used to. I'm still interested in the whole of the hobby, but the owning and collecting part hasn't really been something I've been into for awhile now.

Having myArmoury and putting out articles, reading what others have to say, owning and reading about the stuff in books: these are all much more interesting to me now days. I’m just not all that into having a bunch of sharp steel things in my house.

Six or seven years ago I was into the reenactment side of things. I still have many costumes and other kit accessories from that time. I've parted with most of it, but I still have a lot of cash invested in that stuff, and yet it's unlikely to ever really grab me again.

I guess I can put forth that hobbies and interests do change and my solution has been to find a new, but related, way of making it exciting again. As I mentioned, having a site like this has done it for me. Others who have written for the site have told me that it brings a new interest to them and gets them jazzed and then that excitement goes down the line to the related things the hobby has to offer. Many others have told me that meeting new people through forums like this and other events has added the human element that keeps them interested. When one does this, the "stuff" becomes secondary.


Nathan, have you considered joining any HEMA groups? The reason I ask is that as cool as swords and other weapons are, I can see that just collecting them might lose it's lustre after a few years. You see a sword or weapon that you like, you buy it, and then it sits on display in a rack or on your wall, and maybe you occaisionally take it down and handle it. But after a while, the excitement of this dies away. The thing that makes HEMA enjoyable is that there's always more to learn, and things that you can work on. Besides, in many ways, HEMA and AMA that authentically use weapons are the ultimate expression of competition. Of course, as my friends will be quick to remind me, the purpose of training is to improve your skills rather than worrying about competing or being the best. Nonetheless, sparring is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the art, and it's undoubtedly due in part to the competetive nature of practice combat.

Part of HEMA also involves using your weapons for drills, sparring, test cutting, flouryshes and the like as you know doubt already know. But, as part of this, it means that you end up making regular use of weapons that would other wise mostly sit around, and so it adds a whole new dimension to your enjoyment of these objects. Of course, over time, your weapons will become damaged and some collectors would be upset at the propsect of this. However, judging from the fact that you're less interested in "stuff" these days anyways, it probably wouldn't be an issue for you, and at least you'd have the satisifaction of knowing that all your stuff was put to good use.

The other thing worth considering is that just because most people train with the long sword because we have the most manuals on the subject doesn't mean that you have to do the same. You might decide that you want to focus on sword and buckler. Or maybe you want to learn about spears and poleweapons in general. Or perhaps the rapier or Scottish basket hilt sword are more to your tastes. Regardless, you've got a lot of avenues for training that you could pursue, if long sword isn't your thing so much.
View user's profile Send private message
Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin


myArmoury Admin

PostPosted: Sat 08 Apr, 2006 6:10 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Craig Peters wrote:
Nathan, have you considered joining any HEMA groups?

It doesn't interest me any longer. HEMA interest died with the living history and reenactment interest. I'm much more interested in research, learning, publishing, and knowledge now days.

.:. Visit my Collection Gallery :: View my Reading List :: View my Wish List :: See Pages I Like :: Find me on Facebook .:.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Craig Peters




PostPosted: Sat 08 Apr, 2006 6:25 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Nathan Robinson wrote:
Craig Peters wrote:
Nathan, have you considered joining any HEMA groups?

It doesn't interest me any longer. HEMA interest died with the living history and reenactment interest. I'm much more interested in research, learning, publishing, and knowledge now days.


Fair enough. I know that recently, I've been going through a phase where I want to learn more about the Middle Ages in general, particularly about areas outside of England, since there's more material published about England than anywhere else. Who knows though- you might find your interests shifting again in the future. Certainly, I think you can go a lot further with HEMA that reenactment groups (I'm not saying there's anything wrong with reenactment, nor do I mean to imply that people involved with reenactment are not currently participating in HEMA) since there's always so much more to learn, both on the research side of things and on the practical application side of things.
View user's profile Send private message
Steve Grisetti




Location: Orlando metro area, Florida, USA
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Likes: 9 pages
Reading list: 28 books

Posts: 1,812

PostPosted: Sat 08 Apr, 2006 6:38 pm    Post subject: Re: Suggestions for someone losing intrest         Reply with quote

Michael F. wrote:
...I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on anything to do to get me a bit more interested or possibly direct me towards any books/ websites/ treads here I have missed....
My general suggestion is that you ask yourself what inspired you to participate in the arms and armor hobby in the first place. Go back to that source of inspiration, and simply approach it from another direction. The specific suggestions that were offered earlier in this thread are potentially good ideas to do that, depending on your interests.
"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
View user's profile Send private message
Craig Johnson
Industry Professional



Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Likes: 16 pages
Reading list: 20 books

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 1,421

PostPosted: Sat 08 Apr, 2006 6:41 pm    Post subject: Knowledge         Reply with quote

Hi Michael

Some of us have been around the sword boards a long time and have seen many people come and go as interest levels adjust. Part of it is just life. Passion is a powerful thing and if it burns very brightly at the beginning it came exhaust your fuel before you get to experience the depth and breadth of the subject.

A lot of what the others suggested are good ways to understand your personal journey and decide where to go next I will add a few of my own thoughts as well.

Sometimes when you view the web offerings on the subject it can get repetitive, if you stick to the common thread posts. A great thing about myArmoury is the articles and albums. They are a step beyond the regular day to day communication on the posts. Also the highlight posts are very good. I will often catch myself going back and reviewing something several times.

The next level is to start reading some of the source material that others quote. Rarely does the mention of the fact in an online post capture the full context of what an author in a scholarly work says or does not say about a subject. This can be accomplished with a visit to the local library and the use of interlibrary loan for little or no fee. If you live near a University even better as you will have access to articles written in journals and monographs that will often deeply explore a minute subject and allow one to get a better understanding than even the "experts" that may just read the overview.

Next, get thee to a museum. Spend an hour looking at one piece and see something new every ten minutes of the hour. Its a bit like crawling into the mind of the maker. Why are things done they way they are what surprises you or confirms something you have learned?

Its a subject that is far greater in scope and unknowns than most people probably realize. I have been at this near on twenty some years and I feel as if there is more to learn now than there ever has been for me.

Let the interests you do have lead where they go and keep searching for more information. The approaches can be varied beyond belief. If in school contort your assignments to deal with something interesting about swords or history. If your into science explore what is known and not known about what makes a sword and how does it work. If you are into art sketch historical examples as Peter has suggested in another thread, and I would second as being an essential component to seeing them as they are, as opposed to what we think they are:-)

Anyway I hope this helps a bit as far as suggesting some ways to go and let it go the way it wants to. Life is long for most of us, its good to have something to focus on as you progress, the real shame is when someone doesn't use the time they have to move them self forward.

Best
Craig
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Edward Hitchens




Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Joined: 10 Feb 2005
Likes: 1 page
Reading list: 9 books

Posts: 819

PostPosted: Wed 12 Apr, 2006 9:20 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Nathan Robinson wrote:

I’ve been thinking of this whole arms and armour hobby thing for a long time. It just doesn’t do it for me like it used to. I'm still interested in the whole of the hobby, but the owning and collecting part hasn't really been something I've been into for awhile now.


For some reason, I've been going thru a similar phenomenea lately and I echo Michael's concern. Perhaps it's my total involvement in music which is my 'other' hobby; our local community theater just finished Annie Get Your Gun. Also, since I recently graduated from college, I've been trying my hand in the job market -- with no success thus far. So there have been many variables that have deviated me from the arms and armour community lately.

Also, I'm reading a very fascinating book called American Raiders: The Race to Capture the Luftwaffe's Secrets by Wolfgang Samuel. It covers my other favorite historical period: World War II. It's the first book I've picked up in a long time that doesn't deal with swords, armour, castles, and what not. I have quite a few books that discuss Medieval history; picking up one of those again would almost be like watching a movie you've already seen a million times.

Things come up. Priorities arise that must be tended to. Things like this can force you to lay low from the stuff you really enjoy; stuff that will still be here. I wouldn't worry about too much. Wink

"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
View user's profile Send private message
Eric Myers




Location: Sacramento, CA
Joined: 23 Aug 2003

Posts: 214

PostPosted: Thu 13 Apr, 2006 8:18 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Michael,

I've been involved with swords in one form or another since 1984, and although my interest has waxed and waned several times in that period, it has always come back, even after I took several years off from it! Since you are specifically asking for suggestions to renew your interest, I suggest that you focus on one aspect more in depth rather than trying to keep up with everything on the smorgasboard of available topics. This will direct your energies, and also filter out some of that "gotta check the forums for any updates in the last 5 minutes" syndrome, which in turn will make you feel like you have more time and more of a life outside this hobby. Alternatively, choose a new topic/weapon/period/etc.

Or, if you really need a break, drop the whole arms and armor thing for a while and spend 30 minutes per day studying another language like Latin, Italian, or German, which will give you a huge boost when you do return to the Hobby.

Eric Myers
Sacramento Sword School
ViaHup.com - Wiki di Scherma Italiana
View user's profile Send private message
Jean Thibodeau




Location: Montreal,Quebec,Canada
Joined: 15 Mar 2004
Likes: 50 pages
Reading list: 1 book

Spotlight topics: 5
Posts: 8,310

PostPosted: Thu 13 Apr, 2006 6:56 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Well one shouldn't sell all one's collectables just because one's interest has waned for a while: A while later when your interest revives you might regret not having them anymore. So putting them away for a while, well oiled might be better. Razz Wink Laughing Out Loud

One should at least keep the best pieces or the least replaceable, and if one sells them many years later they may have a lot more value then.

You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
View user's profile Send private message
Bob Burns




Location: South Indianapolis IN
Joined: 09 Sep 2005
Likes: 1 page
Reading list: 112 books

Posts: 1,019

PostPosted: Fri 14 Apr, 2006 5:19 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hi Michael, well for me I am on fire but it is also my first year, but even so, of all the hobbies and interests I have had in my life this medieval sword, weaponry, history and all the books and dvds I am collecting has a far deeper interest than anything else in my life has ever had!

Maybe get involved with people who are new and help them learn, be a kind of a teacher or mentor. I am sure you must have an awful lot to offer someone in knowledge. Sometimes we need to give whatever it is away, in order to keep it!

Please Note My Sword Salute to You in my avatar.

Bob
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Shawn Mulock




Location: Calgary Alberta, Canada
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Reading list: 8 books

Posts: 100

PostPosted: Fri 14 Apr, 2006 10:35 pm    Post subject: Re: Suggestions for someone losing intrest         Reply with quote

Michael F. wrote:
For the past few months I have been "loosing interest" in swords & armour etc. I am still interested and want to learn more as this is such a broad topic. I've also been loosing touch with what is going on here and have not posted for a while. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on anything to do to get me a bit more interested or possibly direct me towards any books/ websites/ treads here I have missed. I hope it doesn't sound like a moral support thread Razz .
Thanks
-Michael F.

Sure.

http://www.mtbr.com/

http://www.calgaryarcherycentre.com/

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/Home/

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/index.html

There ya go! Happy

"It is not what you have, but what you have done".
View user's profile Send private message
Edward Hitchens




Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Joined: 10 Feb 2005
Likes: 1 page
Reading list: 9 books

Posts: 819

PostPosted: Sat 15 Apr, 2006 7:55 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Eric Myers wrote:

I suggest that you focus on one aspect more in depth rather than trying to keep up with everything on the smorgasboard of available topics.


What an excellent idea! Maybe that's been my issue lately -- there's just so much "stuff" that you'd like to explore that you can't wait to check it all out. Yet it proves to be a tedious and daunting task to try and learn everything at one time. What I've been doing is researching some of the famous people of the period, not just the arms and armour of the time. I'm always interested in learning about Eleanor of Aquataine, Thomas Beckett, Geoffery Chaucer, and others who may not have even touched a sword during their lifetimes (or maybe they have Question ), yet have still contributed to our knowledge and fascination of the period.

Oh, and Shawn. Mind if I add a couple more to your list? Razz

http://www.herestobeer.com

http://www.wwbw.com

"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
View user's profile Send private message
Michael F.




Location: Vermont
Joined: 27 Mar 2005
Reading list: 2 books

Posts: 106

PostPosted: Sat 15 Apr, 2006 12:05 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thanks everybody for the responses. I think a bit of lost interest may be caused from cabin fever. It's kind of hard to handle a sword in the house, unless you don't mind several broken lamps and lights Razz. I think it's similar with any hobby, if you get too involved or "obsessed" with any hobby, you loose interest faster than you would if it was more casual. It seems all I needed to do was catch up on what was going on here i.e reading the articles to get me a bit more into the subject. Now I'm going to go outside as soon as I can to cut the HUGE supply of bottles I have collected over the winter. That shouldn't be too boring. Cool


Edward Hitchens wrote:

For some reason, I've been going thru a similar phenomenea lately and I echo Michael's concern. Perhaps it's my total involvement in music which is my 'other' hobby


How Ironic, music is probably a main reason I've been loosing a bit of interest. I guess I just need to listen to some medieval inspired music. Idea (goes and grabs Jethro Tull album).

Shawn- thanks for the suggestions. they certainly wouldn't keep me bored for a while! Eek! Laughing Out Loud

"Tis but a scratch.....A scratch? your arm's off!"-- Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
View user's profile Send private message
Bob Burns




Location: South Indianapolis IN
Joined: 09 Sep 2005
Likes: 1 page
Reading list: 112 books

Posts: 1,019

PostPosted: Sat 15 Apr, 2006 2:22 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Glad to know that I am not alone in collecting milk jugs and plastic bottles. Laughing Out Loud My neighbors just do not understand it. LOL But that's OK, I am the happiest I have ever been in my life and this whole sword thing and everything that goes along with it, really does it for me! The history aspect is really fascinating to me, I've always loved history.

Sincerely,

Bob
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Craig Peters




PostPosted: Sat 15 Apr, 2006 9:38 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Edward Hitchens wrote:
Eric Myers wrote:

I suggest that you focus on one aspect more in depth rather than trying to keep up with everything on the smorgasboard of available topics.


What an excellent idea! Maybe that's been my issue lately -- there's just so much "stuff" that you'd like to explore that you can't wait to check it all out. Yet it proves to be a tedious and daunting task to try and learn everything at one time. What I've been doing is researching some of the famous people of the period, not just the arms and armour of the time. I'm always interested in learning about Eleanor of Aquataine, Thomas Beckett, Geoffery Chaucer, and others who may not have even touched a sword during their lifetimes (or maybe they have Question ), yet have still contributed to our knowledge and fascination of the period.

Oh, and Shawn. Mind if I add a couple more to your list? Razz

http://www.herestobeer.com

http://www.wwbw.com


Chaucer was a knight, so there's a pretty good chance he touched and used a sword during his lifetime.
View user's profile Send private message


Display posts from previous:   
Forum Index > Off-topic Talk > Suggestions for someone losing intrest
Page 1 of 2 Reply to topic
Go to page 1, 2  Next All times are GMT - 8 Hours

View previous topic :: View next topic
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum






All contents © Copyright 2003-2024 myArmoury.com — All rights reserved
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Basic Low-bandwidth Version of the forum