This has got to be one of the most difficult things for me in life. Choosing a hobby, and sticking with it.
All my school days, I've spent my time in front of my computer. I loved gaming and thought that I would do this in my spare time for the rest of my life. I didn't. I still game often but multiplayer games don't entertain me as much as single player games used to (I'm talking about a time where single player games were fun).
After school I went to the UK for 2 years and got in to Cycling. It was a ton of fun when I was there as I had someone to cycle with. That changed too when I came back home to crap old South Africa.
I used to make fun of my friends for begging me to join them (whenever they discover some new hobby).
The first time they got me in to Rock Climbing. Loved it. I made it my lives ambition to work out and become the best climber that I can be. After paying R9500 for my kit (Rope, harness, crabs, quick draws etc.) my friends decided to stop climbing altogether and they started playing paintball. I had to beg other friends to come climbing with me so that I can still use my kit and do what I loved. Luckily I got people to join me and they loved it too.
My other friends begged me to buy a paintball gun and kit (Around R3000 for a good entry level kit). I declined and they continued playing, for another two months. Paintball was getting old for them now.
After that, the one friend bought himself (this is his next hobby he chose) a 4x4. ****ty piece of crap for R45 000. Naturally the begging came. "Dude, it is so much fun. You should get a 4x4." "Sure...let me just grab R50 000 from my back pocket and buy a 4x4 quick."
Easy to say, I drifted away from these friends a bit.
After hurting my lower back, I had to quit rock climbing. I went to the nearest hobby shop and bought a wooden ship model kit(R1400). Quickly went back home and started building. I've finished 3/4 out of the hull (which was about 2 years ago) and it is now just collecting dust.
While building the boat, I thought I would try out Archery. Bought myself a composite bow (R8500) and shot with it for about 2 months. That got old quick as it was only me.
My next big hobby would be photography, I decided. I've always wanted a DSLR camera and heck...you can use a camera anywhere. Won't just be subjected to taking perfect photos. Went to makro and picked up a Canon 650D (R10 000). I've seen less settings in a rocket ship going to Apollo than on the camera. I didn't have time to learn all the new fancy tricks. Out of around 1800 photos I took, 3 were good. Can't get demotivated quicker than that.
I find it very funny and hypocritical from me that I laughed at my friends with their expensive hobbies that only lasts a month or two. I'm in the same position now, haha.
Who else here is spending an enormous amount of money on crap that you THINK you'll use...but end up using it once or twice.
For me, its:
Composite Bow: R8 500
Wooden Model: R1 400
Rock climbing gear: R9 500 + (bought a lot more stuff after the initial sale)
DSLR Camera: R10 000
Total Wastage: R29 400 +
All my school days, I've spent my time in front of my computer. I loved gaming and thought that I would do this in my spare time for the rest of my life. I didn't. I still game often but multiplayer games don't entertain me as much as single player games used to (I'm talking about a time where single player games were fun).
After school I went to the UK for 2 years and got in to Cycling. It was a ton of fun when I was there as I had someone to cycle with. That changed too when I came back home to crap old South Africa.
I used to make fun of my friends for begging me to join them (whenever they discover some new hobby).
The first time they got me in to Rock Climbing. Loved it. I made it my lives ambition to work out and become the best climber that I can be. After paying R9500 for my kit (Rope, harness, crabs, quick draws etc.) my friends decided to stop climbing altogether and they started playing paintball. I had to beg other friends to come climbing with me so that I can still use my kit and do what I loved. Luckily I got people to join me and they loved it too.
My other friends begged me to buy a paintball gun and kit (Around R3000 for a good entry level kit). I declined and they continued playing, for another two months. Paintball was getting old for them now.
After that, the one friend bought himself (this is his next hobby he chose) a 4x4. ****ty piece of crap for R45 000. Naturally the begging came. "Dude, it is so much fun. You should get a 4x4." "Sure...let me just grab R50 000 from my back pocket and buy a 4x4 quick."
Easy to say, I drifted away from these friends a bit.
After hurting my lower back, I had to quit rock climbing. I went to the nearest hobby shop and bought a wooden ship model kit(R1400). Quickly went back home and started building. I've finished 3/4 out of the hull (which was about 2 years ago) and it is now just collecting dust.
While building the boat, I thought I would try out Archery. Bought myself a composite bow (R8500) and shot with it for about 2 months. That got old quick as it was only me.
My next big hobby would be photography, I decided. I've always wanted a DSLR camera and heck...you can use a camera anywhere. Won't just be subjected to taking perfect photos. Went to makro and picked up a Canon 650D (R10 000). I've seen less settings in a rocket ship going to Apollo than on the camera. I didn't have time to learn all the new fancy tricks. Out of around 1800 photos I took, 3 were good. Can't get demotivated quicker than that.
I find it very funny and hypocritical from me that I laughed at my friends with their expensive hobbies that only lasts a month or two. I'm in the same position now, haha.
Who else here is spending an enormous amount of money on crap that you THINK you'll use...but end up using it once or twice.
For me, its:
Composite Bow: R8 500
Wooden Model: R1 400
Rock climbing gear: R9 500 + (bought a lot more stuff after the initial sale)
DSLR Camera: R10 000
Total Wastage: R29 400 +
. And maybe see something you disliked but what I might like.