Such a healthy hobby… really ?

[Yatkuu]

I would be surprised that this topic had never been raised before but I could not find a thread matching the scope of my concern so I decided to create this new one. I apologize if this is some sort of a duplicate and I would appreciate the help of a mod if this subject does not belong here.

I have been asking myself quite a lot of questions lately regarding my hobby and I sort of came to the conclusion that a part of it was good and healthy but there is also another side to that coin that is not that shiny. I wanted to have other people’s input on the matter and see if others who would have a profile similar to mine had perhaps come to the same conclusions… and if so how do they deal with it.

Please note I don’t mean to discuss the “addiction” problem here. To me addiction is a very specific problem leading to specific types of issues going from financial problems to social distress. To date I have only met 2 AFOL in real life – 2 guys I bought sets from on EBay – and I can tell that these guys were addicted and had real problems because of that. One of them had a wife & 2 kids and I could tell from seeing where they lived that they did not have too much to spare but he nevertheless had a collection of dozens of expensive unopened Lego sets (UCS stuff and rarities) – I mean, the house was a total mess, the kids were wearing crappy clothes but he had a room full of MINT LEGO boxes (along with other collectible stuff..).

Anyway, what I would like to do here is tackle the question of how Lego can be and remain a healthy part of a normal adult’s life – someone that has a family, a job / a social life and that might actually be wondering if Lego is not starting to take too much space (and I don’t mean it literally because that is another problem!).

If I had to list the positive aspects of what Lego is bringing to me I would mention the creativity, the artistic expression, the intellectual challenge of overcoming the building difficulties but also the capacity to enjoy simple things. It is a medium that can be used to ease the daily frustrations, to blow some steam form a very often hectic business/private life scheme.

Lego can also be social, although it all depends on how you manage it. For instance, to me spending hours on a forum posting comments on MOCs or participating in a discussion is not really a social activity. IMO it only starts to become a social activity when you actually connect with people, it does not necessarily have to be IRL but there is a whole difference between sending a private mail to someone and signing it with your name and just posting anonymous messages on a board.

On the “dark side”… I sometimes have the feeling that I use Lego to run away from the “real” world and all the responsibilities that come with it. Unlike the real life, a Lego universe is a space you can actually control and when you are playing with your bricks nobody is calling the shots but you. The question could then be: when does this private space stops being a healthy secret garden and becomes a refuge from the outside world? (outside world can also mean your close relatives).

The relationship towards MF is also difficult to define. After all, MF are made in our image, they are representation of people and they are meant to be used as such. Kids impersonate their Figs and that’s normal as part of a learning/growing process but aren’t we doing the same as adults, and is that really healthy?

[kaykay]

It's refreshing to here a different angle on the LEGO hobby and even LEGo has a serious side to it. I think LEGO is healthy, but its the way we treat it that can make it unhealthy for us or the people around us. Its similar to any other hobby which can get too out of hand and lead to unhelpful situations, like you mentioned, avoiding people or using LEGO as a way to hide or not deal with problems.

Personally I just got into it and have been too carried away, especially with buying so many sets so quickly... I am thinking now that I will buy sets to invest in and sell (after i build it) for me, I like to build by following the instructions more than free building (there are times i prefer to free build than follow instructions as well). I admit my husband finds i have spent too much money on sets, but now because i am buying and selling, so in turn the profits i make, make it better since i will be selling the sets after i build away... i actually make money or at least break even and can still continue to play with LEGO - I hope that made sense.

This post is really good timing as i have been struggling to keep the LEGO hobby in control, and i do feel the LEGO hobby (looking at sets, researching which ones to buy, watching reviews and looking at other peoples creations) has taken away too much of my time and has too much priority over things like even sleeping... i stay up late doing all this lego stuff and i get tired the next day for work and at work, i look at LEGO related stuff again - actually its slowly sucking the joy of LEGO itself! so i must be cautious... i dont know how other people see their LEGO hobby....

There was a similar topic about 'how open you are about LEGO to other people' - i dont know about other people - but for me, living as a Christian, i found many parallels between the AFOL and Christians... ie. the fear of judgement from others, people wont understand it, dont want to be labeled at work by coworkers... (let me say there are also some contrasts!) and now this topic, that it can be unhealthy...YES it can be unhealthy.... there is more to life than what we see, hear and experience.

Sorry if this has come off as 'religious' - but i shouldn't have to feel fear of being judged by what i truly believe and hide it. (trust me, i have read that some AFOL here hide their LEGO hobby for fear of being seen as immature or 'weird'...and i too feel that way sometimes - but being a Christian - I shouldn't be hiding who i am)

[L@go]

This post is really good timing as i have been struggling to keep the LEGO hobby in control, and i do feel the LEGO hobby (looking at sets, researching which ones to buy, watching reviews and looking at other peoples creations) has taken away too much of my time and has too much priority over things like even sleeping... i stay up late doing all this lego stuff and i get tired the next day for work and at work, i look at LEGO related stuff again - actually its slowly sucking the joy of LEGO itself! so i must be cautious... i dont know how other people see their LEGO hobby....

Amen to that, brother. I wouldn't say that it's way out of hand for me yet, but I can see what you're saying and I have no doubt I could get there if I'm not careful. I keep thinking that I'm very much into it now, and that it will wear off, but who knows?

Like you say, though, this probably goes for any hobby that you just plunge into.

[Yatkuu]

I'm glad to have some serious feedbacks here! I'm convinced that a lot of us go through the same types of experiences - good or bad and it's great to share them.

Like you say, though, this probably goes for any hobby that you just plunge into.

I fully agree with both of you, I'm sure that a lot of the dynamics that define the Lego hobby could be applied to any other type of hobby activity. But let's not forget that LEGO is for a lot of us a representation of life itself and that's really specific to our little bricks. I'm thinking of course more about the city fans than the other themes here, but not everything needs to be rational either. Whether we build a modular street or a giant space diorama we are building a fantasy world and we somehow project ourselves in it. Anyone ever got this feeling of “getting lost” in his MOCs?

I'm currently going trough some counselling to help me with setting a few things right in my life (not just to talk about Lego stuff ) and the therapist gave me a good image to think about - picture that you are locked up in a room where there is hardly any air, it's warm and uncomfortable - to make it better you could either go out for a walk which would bring you a temporary relief or try to open a window and make the relief permanent.

When I apply this to my life I fear that Lego has become the "little walk" - and worse that it could ultimately become a long walk if I'm not careful. Such a situation can have as consequence to slowly disconnect you completely from your real life and as you say kaykay to even suck the joy out of Lego.

[bb15080]

This post is really good timing as i have been struggling to keep the LEGO hobby in control, and i do feel the LEGO hobby (looking at sets, researching which ones to buy, watching reviews and looking at other peoples creations) has taken away too much of my time and has too much priority over things like even sleeping... i stay up late doing all this lego stuff and i get tired the next day for work and at work, i look at LEGO related stuff again - actually its slowly sucking the joy of LEGO itself! so i must be cautious... i dont know how other people see their LEGO hobby....

I must go along with this. I notice that I spend a lot of time on the Internet looking for deals. it's not yet effecting my live but it's growing more.

when I buy a set i know that I have made a good deal. and than build it with o lot of fun and reassurance

I do not keep most of the boxes it saves in space and only 1 set every two months

I know myself. if i didn't do that the house would be full of lego

[AFOL SF]

Lego "is" a healthy hobby, at least for me... it kept me out of trouble: I don't drink, I don't smoke and I don't gamble... and yes, I do have a life, too, outside of my hobby. I keep it in moderation, checking myself not to over indulge from time to time; human nature dictates that anything good we must have a lot of, experience more of, which most often than not, becomes a bad thing/bad habit...

A few years back, I realized that my hobby has become a passion and I'm very open with it. My office at work is decorated and is full of lego. All my relatives and friends know the passion I have for this hobby. No need to hide it, I say... I'm proud of it and will continue to do so...

[Pingles]

If you remove the "addiction" side of it I can imagine very few healthier hobbies than Lego. Perhaps ones that involve physical activity but I am pretty sure those end up being categorized as sport rather than hobby.

[Ralph_S]

If I had to list the positive aspects of what Lego is bringing to me I would mention the creativity, the artistic expression, the intellectual challenge of overcoming the building difficulties but also the capacity to enjoy simple things. It is a medium that can be used to ease the daily frustrations, to blow some steam form a very often hectic business/private life scheme.

Lego can also be social, although it all depends on how you manage it. For instance, to me spending hours on a forum posting comments on MOCs or participating in a discussion is not really a social activity. IMO it only starts to become a social activity when you actually connect with people, it does not necessarily have to be IRL but there is a whole difference between sending a private mail to someone and signing it with your name and just posting anonymous messages on a board.

For me it actually helped with my social life. I moved to the UK in 2006 for work. I'm not much of a pubcrawler and not into sports either and at first I had a hard time getting to know people outside of work. I joined the Brickish Association, and found that several of their members lived in my area. We used to get together now and then and I also traveled to many different paces in the UK with others to display LEGO models to the public. I made a lot of friends and had a great time, all through LEGO. It may not help me find the future Mrs. S, but that wasn't what I was looking for to start with.

On the “dark side”… I sometimes have the feeling that I use Lego to run away from the “real” world and all the responsibilities that come with it. Unlike the real life, a Lego universe is a space you can actually control and when you are playing with your bricks nobody is calling the shots but you. The question could then be: when does this private space stops being a healthy secret garden and becomes a refuge from the outside world? (outside world can also mean your close relatives).

The relationship towards MF is also difficult to define. After all, MF are made in our image, they are representation of people and they are meant to be used as such. Kids impersonate their Figs and that’s normal as part of a learning/growing process but aren’t we doing the same as adults, and is that really healthy?

I don't see what I build as creating a fantasy world or trying to find a refuge. The city stuff I build is a representation of the world around me, not a fantasy world I'd like to live in. My job tends to be draining at times and building stuff helps me relax by being creative.

As far as finances go, perhaps collectors are more susceptible to their spending getting out of control, because they are constantly looking to add to their collections, with time to buy new stuff, money and space being the constraints. I buy LEGO sets mainly for the parts and I can buy them a lot faster than I can actually build new stuff! I could easily spend far more on LEGO than I do, but I don't.

I don't see any harm in spending money and time on LEGO as long as it is in moderation.

Cheers,

Ralph

Edited August 31, 2011 by Ralph_S

[Larrynautik]

The problem is that you think that being addicted to something is bad. In fact, everyone get its addictions. It can be drugs, alcohol, television, video games, cigarette, but also sports, music, litteracy, painting, work, cleaning the house, garage sales, collecting stamps, doing scientific researches, hunting criminals or animals, having the more money as possible, practicing religion, doing treks in the nature, gardening, dancing all the night, doing masonry, etc. Almost everything can become an addiction as it can be a passion. Being addicted in a reasonable measure is necessary to keep a safe life. Having no addiction at all would remove all excitement to your life. You must sometimes cut the link to the "real" life to stay positive in your real life. The brain must focus on a pleasant activity from time to time, a thing it likes to do, to stay in good health.

But as you mentionned, addiction can have negative and catastrophic effects too. It happens when it becomes the unique obsession you get - like having as many as Lego sets regardless your real life financial situation. That's why you must set your own limits. I personally calculated how much I could spend on Lego each month when all is paid, and will never spend more. It's the same thing to do with every addiction you can choose. But I would recommend to also have other activities than Lego. Lego shouldn't be your unique hobby. There's a ton of other funny things to do : watching movies, socializing, playing sports, etc. Lego can be your main hobby, of course, and you can spend a lot of money on it, no problem. Just be reasonnable enough to decide your limits for this activity. And it will stay a safe activity. Don't forget to live, too. Doing your job seriously, having a wife and maybe children, keeping contact with family if possible, and most of all, exercise your freedom to choose the life you want, where you want to live, what you want to do. Just choose your addictions wisely :)

[Nightshroud99]

Well, to keep on track with LEGO it's important to balance a budget

It's positive effects for me are just that it makes me happy. It's a fun hobby and like all hobbies they are meant to be enjoyed.

Of course with all Hobbies there are those who take it too far and become obsessive, like your example of that man.

I can understand that it could fill a void in someones life, but of course alot of things can do that, some worse.

LEGO when taken in moderation, is healthy for anyone.

[Joebot]

Interesting topic, with some thoughtful responses.

In general, I think the negative aspects that you describe apply to any hobby or interest, and are not at all unique to the Lego hobby. Whether you're collecting Pokemon cards or Faberge eggs, the same issues apply. A pleasant hobby that provides you with entertainment or relaxation or intellectual stimulation or whatever can cross a line into addiction and obsession.

On the “dark side”… I sometimes have the feeling that I use Lego to run away from the “real” world and all the responsibilities that come with it. Unlike the real life, a Lego universe is a space you can actually control and when you are playing with your bricks nobody is calling the shots but you. The question could then be: when does this private space stops being a healthy secret garden and becomes a refuge from the outside world? (outside world can also mean your close relatives).

I think this is an interesting point regarding "fantasy vs. reality" and potentially getting caught up in the fantasy. But again, this is not at all unique to the Lego hobby. You could make the same claims about an author writing a book, or a group of friends playing a role-playing game, or a guy who collects and paints miniatures for his table-top war game, or a kid reading comics.

You're talking about "escapism," which is not necessarily a bad thing. Having a fantasy world to drop into on occasion can provide you with stress-relief, creative stimulus, etc. Like anything though, it has the potential to become unhealthy if that fantasy world starts being more appealling than the real world.

Any individual who has problems with this aspect of the Lego hobby would likely have had these exact same problems with ANY hobby. The issues lie within the individual, not within the hobby itself.

[Erik Leppen]

On the “dark side”… I sometimes have the feeling that I use Lego to run away from the “real” world and all the responsibilities that come with it.

Is that a bad thing? Isn't the entire purpose of play to retract oneself from "the real world"?

I simply see Lego as a form of play. I think every person needs some form of play, to avoid depression and such from all "important things" that happen in real life. Be it watching movies, doing sports, travelling, playing chess, solving crossword puzzles, playing guitar, roleplay, programming, building with Lego, etc. The voluntary and in-control nature of play makes it suitable as a distraction.

The relationship towards MF is also difficult to define. After all, MF are made in our image, they are representation of people and they are meant to be used as such. Kids impersonate their Figs and that’s normal as part of a learning/growing process but aren’t we doing the same as adults, and is that really healthy?

Why would that not be healthy? Why would imagining that those little thingies are, people and role-playing with them, stop being healthy as one grows up? I don't understand that.

If you remove the "addiction" side of it I can imagine very few healthier hobbies than Lego. Perhaps ones that involve physical activity but I am pretty sure those end up being categorized as sport rather than hobby.

A sport can be a hobby too, they're not mutually exclusive ;) Anyhow, indeed one of the only possibly unhealthy things about the Lego hobby is that it requires a fixed position for a the most time. At least, when I'm building I'm usually just sitting on a chair at a table. In that respect a more physically intensive hobby would surely be better.

Being addicted in a reasonable measure is necessary to keep a safe life.

"addicted in a reasonable measure" is kind of an internal contradiction. If it's reasonable I wouldn't call it "addiction". However different languages may differ in this aspect. In my view, "addiction" really means that it has such an unreasonable priority that it negatively affects someone's life. And then it's bad. However I'm not considering this scenario as it is trivial and hence not interesting to discuss. I'm only thinking about building Lego "within reason".

You're talking about "escapism," which is not necessarily a bad thing.

I think it is a good thing!

By the way, great topic!

Edited August 31, 2011 by Erik Leppen

[Pingles]

The problem is that you think that being addicted to something is bad.

Just to clarify: I am pretty sure that the term "addiction" is the point at which something has a negative effect on your life.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/addiction

the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

In other words being addicted to something is always bad. Being bad is what defines it as an "addiction."

[L@go]

Just to clarify: I am pretty sure that the term "addiction" is the point at which something has a negative effect on your life.

I agree with this definition. There's a big difference between being addicted to something - which is bad - and being passionate about something - which, in most cases, is not.

[Yatkuu]

You're talking about "escapism," which is not necessarily a bad thing. Having a fantasy world to drop into on occasion can provide you with stress-relief, creative stimulus, etc. Like anything though, it has the potential to become unhealthy if that fantasy world starts being more appealling than the real world.

Any individual who has problems with this aspect of the Lego hobby would likely have had these exact same problems with ANY hobby. The issues lie within the individual, not within the hobby itself.

"escapism" - that's a nice term and I think you nailed the problem quite well.

I would only add that the Lego hobby has the particularity of being a child's toy to begin with. It occurred to me, as adult, that immersing myself into a toy's world was a way to go back to a state where responsibilities are absent. Again, that's not unhealthy per se but a slippery slope nonetheless.

[fenrir]

Well, I thought about the issues written above.

I only buy sets I realy want.

Most Lego sets won't lose their value. That's the nice thing about this hobby.

[Ralph_S]

"escapism" - that's a nice term and I think you nailed the problem quite well.

I would only add that the Lego hobby has the particularity of being a child's toy to begin with. It occurred to me, as adult, that immersing myself into a toy's world was a way to go back to a state where responsibilities are absent. Again, that's not unhealthy per se but a slippery slope nonetheless.

This probably depends very much on the person, but I don't really see LEGO as a child's toy. Of course, I know that it was designed to be a child's toy and I certainly used to play with mine as a child. However, I don't think many AFOLs use it in the same way as children would. For me it's a model building medium. If I would have more patience and wouldn't suck at painting, I'd probably build plastic model kits. I don't see it as a slippery slope at all.

As long as it doesn't actually keeps you from your responsibilities such as your job or being available for your significant others or keeps you from having a social life, there's no problem. In fact, I'm convinced that building with LEGO can be such a good way to relax, that it actually helps me do my job better!

Cheers,

Ralph

[vexorian]

The whole purpose of Hobbies is to distract yourself from reality. No matter if it is car modding, computer games or LEGO.

Unless of course, you turn the hobby in question into your work, that would make it no longer a way to escape from work. But as a guy who turned his main hobby into his work, I tell you, it is good to have hobbies.

[blueandwhite]

A hobby is only as healthy or unhealthy as the person who pursues it. There are countless numbers of people who can't budget for their day-to-day lives, spending far too much on frivolities. Video games, casual drinking, clubbing, fine dining, are but a few of the things that I see people spend thousands of dollars on each year. Heck, cell phones, cable and internet costs can be a significant expenditure depending on what your consumption is like. People who place their hobbies ahead of their families or their personal well being may have a problem, but it doesn't necessarily speak poorly of the hobby itself.

I think one of the problems with toy collecting as adults is that there is a largely negative stigma associated with it by the public at large. We're geeks and we are viewed somewhat negatively by others. If you were to spend a similar amount of money on sports, cars, travel or almost any other 'cool' hobby your any overspending would likely go unnoticed. How many folks do you know who are 'car poor' or financially strapped because they are constantly traveling, yet the word addiction never seems to come up. Racking up debt is never a healthy thing, but I don't think LEGO is any different than any number of costly pursuits that people spend large amounts of money on.

[Oky]

It's kind of relieving to see such a discussion here as I have been struggling with this concern for a while now. I must admit that I have indeed fallen victim to this phenomenon. I use my hobby to escape the real world more often than I would like to, but I can't help it somehow. It hasn't gotten real bad - I do have some friends and I have never driven myself into debt by buying too much Lego - but I feel that I don't have as much of a social life than I should have. It's quite disconcerting, but knowing that I'm aware of my "problem" and that I am not the only one who feels that way is good. I think as long as you are aware of it, you can at least keep yourself under control to some extend, so it wont get out of hand.

And yes, I agree that this could be said about pretty much any hobby or obsession.

[dr_spock]

Like everything else moderation is key. Don't over-do it and it won't be a problem.

[Larrynautik]

Just to clarify: I am pretty sure that the term "addiction" is the point at which something has a negative effect on your life.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/addiction

In other words being addicted to something is always bad. Being bad is what defines it as an "addiction."

I just had a look at an encyclopedia and effectively addiction is defined as something we can't control. So, I would rather say that you should choose the thing that is a real passion for you, but with setting your limits to this passion. Unlimited passion could become a true addiction ; and the addiction to Lego buying could lead to a critical financial situation, completed by unsocialization. Notice that it's not as easy to say a colleague that we spend a lot of money in Lego as adults, compared to spending in cars, sports or travels, etc. I think it's just because building, collecting and playing with toys as adults is not a really common thing. But every AFOL knows that more than that, Lego can be a passion. I don't know a lot of toys adults would buy for themselves. And, no, I will not talk about toys we can find in some specifics discrete rose-colored shops

[kaykay]

And, no, I will not talk about toys we can find in some specifics discrete rose-colored shops

In Australia those 'discrete rose coloured' shops stand out a lot. hah

[lightningtiger]

I have learnt the hard way, buying too much Lego...yep, that's why I don't have a credit card anymore ! But I find my art has grown out of a simple hobby and my strength to try new things and new ideas has grown. Heck, I even cook my wife meals which I enjoy doing, my art keeps my mind going while there is no work going on a particular day. Also being part of this forum I have made friends with across oceans and even in my own town. To me it is very healthy right this moment and beyond.

Brick On forever !

[Larrynautik]

In Australia those 'discrete rose coloured' shops stand out a lot. hah

I really don't know about it here in France, I've never been in one of those shops ( and everybody will tell you the same thing )