Do you feel alone in the hobby? (even with the forum)

Yes I feel the same.

 

Currently, I feel far from alone. This site helps, but it can be overwhelming sometimes.
YouTube and Instagram have really helped me to feel connected with the community. It's so cool when people you admire in the hobby start following you on Instagram and interact with you. And though I don't post videos on my channel, watching videos by Anne Pecaro, Swandzz, and other hobbyists really helps me connect with them.

 

Feeling isolated in this hobby is something understandable, and bjd forums, YouTube channels, and social media groups tend to ease that loneliness for many, but I sometimes wish I could accidentally meet a friend or a coworkers who shared the same passion for the bjd hobby.

 

@Lady Alexiel No kidding. I agree, there's nothing quite the same as knowing someone in real life who is in the hobby. I hope to someday go to a doll meet and get to know some people in the community.
A friend of mine who knows I have a Blythe recently told me she collects Pullip dolls, and that was the coolest thing - it makes you feel less isolated and strange.

 

I definitely agree with you there. It is important to know people who have similar interests. That way you won't have that feeling of being the only one out there.

 

I have been but I met some local doll people by accident in a park near my house (I had brought my Lati with me and they saw her) and there is a meet this weekend I'm hoping to attend. I would really like to make some local doll friends.

 

Me too! I don't really mind if my friends aren't mad doll hobbyists, but right now I'd settle for literally any other description apart from "creepy" from people.

 

I definitely feel alone in the hobby. I don't know anybody that collects dolls and on instagram (i've got over 1,000 followers so I'm not unheard of I guess?) I still feel like an outsider. I'm not really close to anyone in the doll hobby like I used to be back in my Flickr days. I've just got to give it time ^^

 

I belong to a doll club in Connecticut, USA and we meet monthly. Most of doll group collects fashion dolls - Numina, Sybarite, Fashion Royalty, Momoko, etc - but I have several dozen BJD and several other members have some BJD as well. The group is very open when it comes to what sort of dolls you can collect and bring to meets, which makes it very enjoyable for everything! Plus, I get to host and show off my display room which is always a pleasure! I wish every community had a club like this.

 

In my town I am the only adult collector, People get a kick out of seeing my BJD's when I tote them around. I am lucky that I have BJD buddies in surrounding areas. I do wish they would do more doll meets. Getting together with dolls is one of my favorite things.
Have you ever tried to find a good online buddy? I have a couple people I talk to regularly, even ones I have never met and probably will never meet. It may help you with the lonely feeling.

 

yes because i don't know anybody in real life that has the same hobby as me :/

 

At times,I do have my sister and friends to talk to but not someone who's into the hobby like I am. I would like to have a dolly friend(s) to talk and play dolls with.

 

Sometimes? I mean, I do most of my socializing online anyway. I actually have made "doll friends" because of DoA. They're all in other parts of the country though, but it's still nice to be able to PM someone on FaceBook with random doll-spam! Still, there are times when I really wish I had other doll collectors I could chill with face-to-face. I know I'm really lucky that all my non-doll friends think my dolls are pretty cool, and my BFF actually loves to hang out and play with them.

 

I feel very much alone, but I am perfectly fine with it. I have many hobbies and always have. If I come across something I find interesting, I try it. Sometimes I meet people who are also interested, but often I do not.

I think I am a pretty atypical doll enthusiast. It amuses me to think how I will be received when I go to my first meet

 

I do feel alone too. No one wants to organise a doll meet around here sadly

 

Yea, I want IRL doll friends or for my sister to join the hobby. Sometimes it seems like she is but then she just changes her mind. Nobody around here coordinates anything, so I just watch Youtube vids.

 

I have lots of BJD ppl around me so I'm lucky, but before I found my group I felt pretty isolated in my hobby.

 

I have plenty of people online that I can talk to about doll plans/share pictures with, but I really want someone to actually hang out and DO stuff with! Taking pictures, doing faceups, making props and accessories, etc.. are all so much more fun with someone else honestly ;w; I do have one friend who is into doll/toy collecting who always asks about my BJDs but she isn't IN the hobby herself (not that I can totally blame her...the difference between collecting resin BJDs and collecting modern fashion dolls is...hundreds of dollars) so it isn't quite the same.

 

Even with the online world I get lonely, in many things; not just dolls.
I'm also a furry, which has a huge online network with numerous different websites, but being in an area with very few people it means I never get to speak to anyone in person about it.
It's the same with dolls too, the closest place anyone seems to be is Manchester for me which isn't exactly a bus trip away. I often end up just keeping anything doll related online since none of my family members are remotely interested (that I know of).

While it's great there is this online community that we can all interact in it pales in comparison compared to the real, social interaction of meeting and talking to people for real; even for someone as socially awkward and timid as myself.
I often end up just talking to my doll and myself. XD I'm not insane I swear!

 

Although the BJD community seems kind and acceptable, I've never had a real conversation with someone in the hobby. No one around me is interested in dolls, and most of my friends actually hate them. However, it doesn't bother me. I have a ton of other things I enjoy, so that's what I talk about. Although I would love to go at a meetup one day. I'm also very used to the "I love it, it's so cute!" "No it's not" thingy, even before I went to the hobby

 

There are doll clubs out there that are not specifically BJD dolls. I belong to a UFDC doll club and we are always looking for new members. We are trying to reach out to a group in our area that do things with BJDs but so far, we have not been able to connect with them. (United Federation of Doll Clubs)
Also, I meet with a group that makes doll clothes. We meet once a month at a quilt shop. We have "Show & Tell" and discuss all aspect of making things for dolls.
There may be a group in your area that makes porcelain ceramic dolls. They also would be talking about painting faces and finding wigs, eyes, shoes and clothes for dolls.
Just some ideas for those who want to connect with others who love dolls.

 

My one friend that told me about BJD's moved away a few years ago and now I'm alone in this. I don't know anyone interested in BJD's in person. I only have DOA and I still have no one really that I talk to one on one. It would be nice to make some friends that where interested in BJD's. I'm just glad DOA exists to help with my questions/concerns.

 

At times, yes. But, I'm more often content being alone in the hobby. I get to enjoy my dolls as they are. I would like local friends I can trade items with, or meet up for photoshoots/get-togethers/etc. and admire/advise each other. But, the BJD community in my country is not very big or vocal.

And, I'm an introvert. I don't often go out of my way to meet new people; it's difficult for me to pluck up the courage, at times, and yet I can travel to our capital on my own and breeze my way through a weekend in a hostel dorm! One day, I will attend meet-ups and maybe make friends I can trade items with and arrange get-togethers/photoshoots with. Maybe join a sewing club, if they still exist, and introduce people to BJDs.

 

On the forum I don't feel alone at all since we're gathered here because of our hobby!

IRL it gets too lonely though, considering most of my friends who got into BJDs either grew out of it or are located in a town several hours away from mine, meaning we can't just spontaneously meet up for a couple of hours during a weekend and then go back home. So yes... THAT gets pretty damn lonely.

 

I do feel quite loney. I'm shy/awkward at the best of times and most people I meet are not the sort I can discuss BJDs with. A lot of interaction and meeting also goes on on Facebook, and for various reasons I am not (and never will be) on Facebook, so I get left out.

 

YES! Especially because I'm new. I don't have any local friends or family that belong to the hobby. It seems daunting that all the OG doll owners have their friends and groups that they are a part of and I just kind of float around. Especially since I don't have a doll on hand, and I really mess with MH, Blythe, and the doll that I'm sculpting myself.

 

I feel like a lot of BJD collectors are similiar. A lot of us may be shy, introverted, feel socially awkward, and the hobby itself is attractive to that type of person. Because you get to create your dolls as much or as little as you want. Giving them personalities, character traits, we bond with them in the quiet and safety of our own space. At least, that's what I'm hearing reading a lot of the earlier thread comments. So this in itself makes finding/making friends in RL a challenge, because that's something that a lot of us find difficult normally anyway.

I try to share my passion for my BJDs on facebook, on DoA and with my friends. I don't have any RL BJD collectors I can befriend in person that aren't many hours away. There are times I wish I could share with someone in real life... but then I share online to make up for it. Facebook has helped, I joined a group for NZ and Australia. I love DoA and am very grateful for something that can bring us all together. We get to join in on the things that interest us about the hobby, and can choose to stay away from topics that don't. I'm much better at writing than talking anyway.

I just wanted to say as well that to everyone posting here feeling alone, or like they aren't good enough, or worried about doing things wrong, there seems to be a lot of people who share your feelings, so you aren't alone. We may be separated in real life, but online we can share and connect with people we'd never be able to otherwise. I'd like to give you all virtual hugs and say that you are welcome in our community, you are awesome as you, and I hope we can all be kind and share caring with one another.

 

A little bit, and definitely more so since my best friends have lost interest in the hobby. I want to ask one if I can borrow his pastels to do faceups, but I don't really want to talk about dolls with him anymore, since it seems like the subject wears him down...

 

To be honest I feel alone in most of my hobbies (make-up, video games,collecting funko pops, and bjd's). The internet seems to be the only place where you can be an adult with a full time job and not be considered "childish" for wanting to have fun in life. I'm considering starting back a youtube channel just so I can have a place to vent about my dolls and be excited about them (which no one wants to hear in real life lol).

 

I do feel lonely, as I haven't found any groups in my area but I really need to search more and see what I can find. I don't particularly hate being on my own in the hobby, but it would be nice to be able to socialize outside of forums and meet new people with similar interests.

 

Yes, I do. Nobody I know in real life even remotely likes dolls - most people I know think they're weird or creepy. It can be exhausting having to constantly defend something you love just because others think it's strange. It's isolating for sure.

 

I feel extremely alone in this hobby. I hide the hobby from everyone I know because I fear the consequences that would come if my mother knew about it, but also because I am scared of how my friends might react, or even if they didn't think negatively of me, what they might tell other people about me. I am also scared because I have an interest in living dolls and people who look like dolls, but there's such a stigma around that that I don't want to negatively affect me.
I have a doll blog on Tumblr and I sometimes leave my two cents on drama or comment on people's dolls, and of course participating on DoA as well. Giving my feedback on peoples dolls is one of my favorite things to do as I do not have a doll of my own, because gushing about dolls and complimenting all the work and love they put into it is fun, and I feel that if I were the doll owner, I would appreciate constructive feedback or nice things about my own doll. But lurking doesn't feel too much like knowing people personally, even if we've talked a few times or I notice that they saw my comments. I also feel alone because I do not have a BJD myself, so I don't have a very core component for participating in a hobby like this. I am saving for a preorder on my first doll, but until then I feel that all I can do is lurk and look, and practice faceups and sewing on MH dolls. And of course watching doll vids on youtube - shoutout to lovely people like Andreja, tamakyu, and Mozekyto for being so friendly and helpful on this platform.
I think it would be ideal if I could find a solid group that I can meet with in-person and talk to, but I have to wait to try to find that. Once I finish my associates degrees I can transfer them to a university in Florida, where I'll be settling. I hope that once I'm there, I can find people that I can join for tea parties and doll meets.
This was a pretty self-indulgent rant, sorry. Thanks to OP for posting this thread and giving people the opportunity to talk about this!

 

I found this hobby somehow browsing Pinterest. So, I hadn't seen a BJD in person until I order mine second hand. :] Lonely is very easy to relate to, as I don't have anyone to talk to in person about all the cool stuff I'm doing or finding or making.

 

The BJD collectors here are scattered. Except for the bigger cities, nobody lives very close. I've only made one lasting offline friend, and we try to see each other a few times a year.

We used to drive to a midwestern USA meetup, but that online community fell apart. Many of the old members transferred to a forum that holds their meetups even further from us. It's now too long a trip.

I encourage the hobby wherever I can. Take outdoor photography, transfer basic info... even give dolls. But it's boring being an island.

 

I never really thought about this... But I guess I do feel alone in doll collecting in general. None of my friends or family collect. That is what made going to Doll Shops and Conventions fun, back before the economy stopped them in my local area. Some of the nicest, most accepting people you ever will meet are doll collectors. And having online support is great, but different from in person interactions.

 

Well, I am not as sociable than others might be. My life is rather limited to my work and family. Therefore I assume I would not enjoy having others around for doll meetups. The forum is good for seeing new dolls and writing/reading about favourite dolls. I enjoy feeling sometimes lonely with my hobby, I am simply just that kind of person.

 

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I feel the same too. Now I am not very active in forums and so due to my studies but even when I was I felt the same. I thought it was my fault because I am not too sociable but it helps knowing other people feel the same.
I think forums are a great place to communicate with other members of the hobby but what I was missing was a person to person interaction. Someone you can go to walk with while talking about purchases and pictures, to help with photo-shoots, to share drawings and stories and so on.
There aren't much doll meets where I live and because my studies and my job I am not usually able to go.
Luckily this year I recovered a bit from that feeling of loneliness because I found a real good friend. She is not in my city but we talk through Facebook when we can and I feel that kind of bond with her. I share even personal stuff (besides dolly stuff) with her because we are a lot alike.

 

I feel very lonely, it doesn't help that I have a fear of people! Living in a very small country town in rural Australia means going to doll meets in Melbourne (if/when) they happen is very unlikely. I'm also not very good at typing out what I am truly trying to say...

 

I feel very very much alone at my doll hobby collection. Especially i am male!!!! I don't tell anyone about my hobby
I'm worry ppl call me name or make stupid comments. I did get some stupid hurtful comments which make me very upset .

 

Nah, I don't particularly feel lonely about my BJD collection. And I don't feel a need to hide it or feel anything other than appreciation for beautiful works of art. I mean, that's what they are. Why should my appreciation of these amazingly gorgeous creations cause any room for judgement?

I've collected dolls (starting in plastic and porcelain) since I was a wee larvae- dolls gifted to me by all family members, extended family too. I would find it more hypocritical and bizarre if they were in fact critical, you know, since they've helped contribute to my fascination for all things dead-eyed.

As far as others beyond my family goes, I could give two shits about a negatively charged "dolls are creepy", because yah! Some are and the creepier the better! I find beauty in most things and especially the macabre. So, it doesn't bother me any. My dolls contribute to what makes me, me- you know? And I love me. Thanks dolls!

 

I haven't met too many people I click with within the hobby tbh, there is a bjd group for my city but all the people I got along with were from other states. So it's been very lonely, I do at least have one friend that likes dolls and even though my partner isn't into it they don't mind listening to me when I get excited about it.

 

Yes and no. There's a lot of online groups I joined right away, and all my close friends know about it. A lot of them think dolls are creepy, but they're cool with it. Some of them actually really like them too, and most importantly, my boyfriend is fine with it. Just by having his support, and the fact he's letting me show him all the beautifull dollies I see online, makes me feel less lonely.
I do understand it can be more lonely though.. I also really want to meet someone who likes them as much as I do, I've never been to a meet yet. I'm going to one in september though! Can't wait!

 

I can't remember if we have spoken, but I'm also in Alabama & I definitely get where you are coming from.

 

Little bit yes, little bit no? I used to go to meetups but life happened. And also because after awhile I was made to feel like I was not welcomed including being singled out for my allergies. Not by everyone in the group but no one stuck up for me so.. It didn't feel so great. I stopped going cause it stressed me out a lot.

 

I am :') even I didn't tell my families and friends IRL.
but it didn't stop me to want to buy more though XD
I think what we need is supporting friends to share with

 

Yeah, for sure. I don't think I've ever actually -directly- even made friends or tried speaking to people in the doll community because I'm scared I'll say something stupid/noobish or make myself look like a fool. I'm not a very social person but even then I wish I was able to actually have friends with similar interests :c

 

One of the reasons I got into this hobby was a need of something I could enjoy by myself. My social circles back then were way too toxic and dolls became a great way to enjoy my time alone. As the years went by, I got involved in my local community, wich I soon realized was broken and full of egocentric people looking for vain fame. Ever since, I always get involved only at a certain level, normally with a few people. The people I consider my truly hobby partners live 5h by car away from where I'm currently living, but we keep in touch at foruns and social medias, meeting up everytime I go visit. My girlfriend is in the hobby too and we see each other more often. Nowadays I can enjoy this hobby by myself or among others and, for me, that's enough.

 

I try to befriend folks on fb because I am way more active there! So I have lots of Dollie buddies! That said I'm always happy to have more!

 

I totally feel pretty alone in the hobby, even with the forum and with my tumblr.

My family is pretty supportive, especially because I use my dolls as an outlet for my sewing creative side, but I never want to tell strangers, or friends, or coworkers about my hobby. Lots of people just don't understand when I say I have resin ball jointed dolls, what it means. They automatically think of like, porcelain dolls that look like little girls, I think.

It's also super awkward every time I go to the fabric store and a clerk asks me what I'm making when I have fabric cut. I've gotten into the habit of lying, and saying I just need the fabric for my stash (which is sometimes true) because it just avoids uncomfortable moments. Usually when I say I make doll clothes to the person cutting, they either say something like, "Oh, American Girl Doll clothes?" or "Doll clothes? Really?" It's just really uncomfortable for me, especially not being a very open and sharing person in the first place.

I always feel like people in bigger cities have it a little easier when it comes to doll meet ups, or meeting other people in the hobby, lol.

 

Among my friends and acquaintances no one doll interested in as they interest me. When others see my doll, they admire or are tendered but then become indifferent. Sometimes I feel alone in my hobby. But I'm not sure I can share it with someone, because for me it is very personal.

 

I actually organised doll meet in my area about once a month but i do get lonely cos its hard to find friends who i can chat about dolls on a regular basis! Luckily for me my bf just started collecting while he is looking for a gift for me,

 

I just joined DOA this weekend because I mentioned feeling lonely to a FB friend. Lots of reasons. I am 67 years old and started with dolls 2 years ago. I bought a Makie doll (3D printed customizable doll) for my daughter who had just received a degree as a congratulatory present. I designed it to look like her. She was totally freaked out by it. So I kept it. Little did I know what would follow. I changed her to a new character and bought a roommate for her (I'm a fan of Korea drama so the rest of my dolls are Korean characters). I made a dollhouse and because I was moving away from the beautiful barn and property I loved for 15 years, I had the dollhouse made to be a replica of the apartment in the barn where I lived. Then I met someone who suggested I try to make hybrids with bjd bodies and Makie heads. I now have 6. Mostly I wasn't lonely till I realized that most people are into one type of doll and cannot relate to my photos that are mixed bjd. I'm a bit lost here too. Any suggestions where I can meet anyone on the forums like me? I show my dolls to lots of people. My partner is supportive, my family thinks I've lost it again (I have many obscure hobbies) and friends think it's weird and amazing but I still feel like I haven't met my tribe.

 

Totally. My tastes and interests just... really don't coincide with the average doll person it seems. I'm sure exceptions exist, but they've eluded me for several years now.

 

@Mahgiep and @ChristinasDream
Thank you for reaching out!

 

I buy cloth at a local fabric store. They sell fat quarters for quilters which is perfect for doll clothes. if you can find a quilting shop you may never have to explain!

 

I hoard fabric by the yard, lol c: Thanks though.

 

Hahaha

 

Yes, I do feel lonely in the hobby even with the forum where we can get lots of information around the BJD world, and with Instagram where we ooh and ahh at each other's dolls...but that's all there is to it...I think most BJD people are introvert, or just really shy or maybe some are just afraid of crossing the line with other collectors, well...many factors. As for me, I simply think I'd better not bother people too much, don't want them to think I'm a nuisance or something. That said, if anyone wants to be BJD friends where we can chit chat about our dolls, share dolls pictures or stories, wishlists, anything BJD related or even not related, I welcome you! Isn't sad enough when your IRL friends just don't get why you're so into this dolly thing (tho they try hard to appreciate your hobby) and you simply went gaga by yourself everytime you get those doll deliveries, they just smiled and rolled their eyes. I wish I had someone who can share the excitement, makes it all more memorable. I know my IRL friends really tried for my sake lol, but without the same interest it was just meh...

 

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