posted on July 6, 2001 11:05:35 AM new
Just like waking up from a dream, I have completely lost my love and passion for antiquing, flea markets, second-hand stores, and eBay. Has anyone else experienced this? It's like I burned out or something. Nothing seems new or interesting anymore. All the antique stores have the same old stuff and I haven't been finding anything (in stores or on eBay) to add to my collections. I don't get excited when I hear of a new antique mall opening, or when I read of a rummage sale in the area. My passion for the old and collectible has left me. Woe is me.
posted on July 6, 2001 11:54:46 AM new
Hi Muriel,
I've never been into antiquing, flea markets, etc. but I have had this happen to me with other passions. I find that if I take a break, other interests will take over and then one day, out of the blue, the old passion will reappear. It's happening to me right now with a particular hobby of mine after a year or so hiatus. Don't fret. Use the time to do something else you enjoy.
posted on July 6, 2001 12:14:18 PM new
I know how you feel, Muriel. I usually learn all that I can about something - studio ceramics, knitting, the Rural Cemetery Movement, black and white photography,etc. -and then move on to something else. Sometimes I return to one of those interests, but often I don't. I haven't listed anything on eBay since March, but I'm going to force myself to list a few things this weekend to get them out of my studio. I doubt that I'll ever list as much as I did before because, frankly, I'd like to use the space in my house more efficiently and for other purposes.
posted on July 6, 2001 12:24:44 PM new
Hi Muriel - Long time no see. If burn out is what's going on....don't worry...be happy. It's okay and very normal. Maybe you'll find something that 'steals your heart' again soon.
If the 'nothing seems new or interesting anymore' doesn't just refer to sales, antiquing, etc....then maybe you're feeling a little depressed for some reason. Sometimes just a needed time for reflection.
posted on July 6, 2001 01:02:59 PM new
My husband always teases me because it seems like I'm always on the "cutting edge" of what is going to be the next collecting "fad". I collected and studied up on lighthouses back in the 1980's when they were not yet popular. I also collected old birdhouses back in the early 1990's when they weren't in every gift shop and craft show. And guess who was the first in town to own a gazing ball. I took a lot of ribbing for that, but now EVERYONE has at least one, and many times more. So now he's asking me "What's going to be next?". I don't know yet, but when I figure it out, I'll let you all know.
posted on July 6, 2001 08:40:02 PM new
Hi. Might have something to do with the huge change the antique world has gone through with Ebay and the internet. I have several thousand dollars in antique books which are nice to have but now anyone can pull up the information online, so everyone is a semi expert or so they think.
I also have lost some of that spark to shop not all of it, but when I look at some of the catogories on ebay and the low low prices, it is like a bomb has been thrown into the market. So low low prices but when you go to buy everyone wants book.
Will be interesting to see where it all leads. But some of the thrill of the hunt is gone for me also.
posted on July 6, 2001 09:37:15 PM new
I've had this happen a couple of times when I tried to take hobbies or things I loved, and turn them into ways to make money.
The most notable was when I used to work out a lot, and so trained to be an aerobics instructor and a personal trainer. I grew to dread going to the gym. My solution was to give up the income part of it and just go back to loving the accomplishment I felt taking care of myself.
I won't chance it with my photograpy, and though I occasionally make a few bucks by selling my stuff at a shop during tourist season, I never take my camera out with the idea of making money. It's just for the pure joy of it.
As to eBay, it comes and goes. I hadn't done a search in ages because I wasn't finding the two widgets I'm still looking for to make a little collection of mine complete (to me). On a whim, I searched today, and both were just listed with no reserve! I have my computer calendar set to remind me to bid (or snipe as the case may be).
posted on July 7, 2001 08:38:52 AM new
Of course if it extends to other areas of your life you might be plain old depressed.
It usually does not stay fun to do something when you HAVE to.
posted on July 10, 2001 06:46:46 AM newOK, Muriel time for some "TUFF LUV"....Get over it! Buy, buy, buy how are we gonna keep ebay GREEN if you don't do your part? How am I gonna replace that wallpaper that got blown up in the thunderstorm...I don't have penguins, you'll have to settle for elephants and cats...come on girl, go, go, go!
posted on July 10, 2001 08:22:05 AM new
I'm burned out on eBay as well. After last year's thrashing of our business by eBay, Inc., we've decided to go with an e-commerce web site instead.
We will still do eBay in the better months to bring in new customers, but it will never be like it was before, running several hundred auctions at one time. EBay also lost us as a good customer because I feel that we got cheated out of some of our fees due to their incessant programming glitches last fall. A few dollars fairly reimbursed to us would have kept hundreds of dollars per month going into their greedy little hands. As it is, we do the absolute minimum there and spread out our business over several other more specialized auction web sites. That's what they get for being too greedy.
posted on July 10, 2001 08:50:26 AM new
Borillar: I was wondering what happened to your ebay posts. Could you email me at [email protected]? I have built a web site to advertise my B&M and I am now trying to figure out search engines. Some companies want $90.00 a month to place you in the top 10 of search engines. Not sure if it is worth it.
posted on July 10, 2001 02:35:05 PM new
MURIEL:
I feel your pain.
I had to stop shopping because of a pending move and I started liking the uncluttered look (the garage is another story). Now I have no urge to even look...
I too was on top of the trends...
I collected vegie designs for the kitchen in the '80's, then went to ivy leaves when vegies became to trendy. Then it became wrought iron when ivy was too 'normal'. Now it is aluminum or pewter.
I hope penguins don't come in style! I can't afford to start a NEW collection. My son has collected penguins for over a year now. Before penguins it was Garfield the Cat but when the collecting got to easy; too many Garfields, he switched to penguins...
Long time no see. If burn out is what's going on....don't worry...be happy. It's okay and very normal. Maybe you'll find something that 'steals your heart' again soon.
