Hello my fellow modelers, Over the past couple of months I've seem to have lost my motivation to build anything. I still love to buy new kits as my latest kit was the new Tamiya 1/32 P-51 Mustang but getting my act together to start a new Armour or aircraft kit seems an impossible task.

I look at my growing stash and i hope that "One day" i will make a start on them and i have cool ideas for each one but that seems to be a long way.

I use to live with a mate and we use to build heaps of kits together but I moved back home to my parents place I dont have the room to do much building.

I feel that i have lost my modeling spark, Is there a way to get it back?

Nathan

Been there, done that.... never did get the t-shirt though.

2 alternative stratagies you could try. I've used both at different times.

1) Take a break of a few days/weeks and watch some DVDs which would have stuff you're interested in: Band of Brothers, Generation Kill etc then try going back and doing something from the DVD

2) Change of Genre: Do something completly different. If you're into WWII planes try a modern armor kit, or a ship or even sci-fi. Or just do a fun "what-if" type build such as my "Learherman Humvee". It gets the creative juices flowing again.



Hope this helps and that you're feeling on form again soon.

Watch some military documentaries. Read a book about military history. If this fails, break your toe, foot, ankle. This should keep you cooped up in front of your work bench.

is there any spot where you can build in some kind of noisy atmosphere? seems to me ya building mate loss has snuck up on you and you have no one to kick ideas back and forth. any moddel shops to peruse and talk with others, find out about meetings to go to? just a thought.
reb

I've been on a 3+ year model building hiatus. I too had lost interest in building models. I guess that family and work kind of got in the way. Still, I continued to go to model shows and continued to buy new kits. Only recently I sat down again and started to put together a couple of kits. They are for a diorama I have had in my head for some time but did not have the models to help me bring it to life. That's no longer the case.

I guess what I am trying to say is that it's OK to take a break from the hobby. Maybe try something else for a little while.

No worries, you'll come around again.

My thought would be,why force yourself to get back ? Do something else,when your motivated you will start working again.Don't force yourself to model,then it's not a hobby,it becomes a job.

I agree with the others. Do something else for awhile. I was on a 4 year hiatus due to family, work, space, money, and other hobbies. Now that I have abit more time I am enjoying the thrill ofthe build. Now I am working on building an area in my basement to work on my tanks so my lovely wife doesnt have to see them on her dining room table

Hey I just got out of a rut myself.

I find I get into ruts during a build step (AFV models):

-before tracks are complete
-before sections are "trued" and subsequent gaps filled and sanded

These are the two bugaboo's for me. Once I have tracks and major sections are attached and sanded, everything else is really fun! Those two areas require a lot of attention, time, and aligment which is very demanding.


So, are you having trouble starting a build or are you in the middle? If you are having trouble starting a build, don't force yourself to open it. After a few episodes on the history channel, you'll probably want to.

Do you listen to music when you build? This always helps me. A little Pantera and a bag of magic tracks are nothing.


In the end remember, a rut is a rut. We all get there somehow and we will be there again. You can't control it. It is nothing you are knowningly doing. Don't get down on yourself about it.

If you lost a modelling friend, post a build log, there are plenty of people who would love to see your work.

'Doing' creativity has for the last (many) years been both my work and to a large extent my social scene as well.
This last year I have really been struggling, even to the extent of blowing out a DVD I was making for an established record label and in the last week or so even not bothering to go to the airport for a flight for an international gig.
This is why I am here. Doing something different, my only surprise is that I went for something that still calls on me having, using, learning new creative skills. So much for a complete change then!
The point I am making in a long winded fashion is if you are struggling with something give it a rest, try something else, I have always found the desire to go back to the original always returns and normally burning brighter than before.

I feel for you,
But I agree with others here, it's a HOBBY, should be fun, right?
take a break, do something different!
Learn something new?

I often 'rest' models when it gets "not FUN", eg I got a Fonderies Minitaures LCA, AWFULL!, It's resting until I get a better idea on finishing it.

So chill, keep an eye in on the forums, find a local hobby club, or not!

Well don't worry
This is not a hobby....this is an ADDICTION so it will be back again!

Joking aside I think is quite normal to be a little bit exhausted after doing a such big project (1/32 P-51 tamiya, is not so easy...)

Most likely a break will be usefull for you to start again with lots of new positive energies

cheers and good luck

Styrene and resin are in your blood. You'll have to square with that some day. I take breaks up to a week at a time. This saves me money and allows me to research my next kit.