Monday, September 10, 2018

Do You Hide The Hobby?

Do you hide the hobby from others?

I do.

I had this thought the other day when I was having Physical Therapy. The therapist was doing their usual "small talk" and I couldn't find much to discuss since it didn't appear they were much of sport fanatic. So we just discussed our day.

But, even though he didn't appear to be much of a sports fanatic, why couldn't I just throw in the fact I was a sport card collector? That could have been a game changing conversation. Who knows..maybe he is a closet one. Maybe he has a few missing pieces for my collection. But what happens if that turns the conversation south, maybe he will also look at me like a dork or ridicule me from within himself.

Is that the true problem here? I am worried about others judging me for sport card collecting in my 30's when some may look at it as "childish?" They are pieces of cardboard with someones picture on it.

I really don't know how to answer whether that's why I hide it or not.

I do know this wasn't the only opportunity I have had to share my passion for the hobby but fell flat to do so. I ran into some classmates once at a friends wedding, did I once bring up the fact I was still card collecting or blogging doing about so? No. I once worked in a grocery store in the meat room where I ran into many people all day long that I had to start small talk with and did I once bring up sport card collecting? No. I met up with my wife's family at a BBQ for a nephew's graduation who some knew and some didn't know that I collected cards, but did I tell the others when I had many times to do so but instead discussed the weather? Absolutely no.

I am not sure why I hide the hobby. I do know I am probably not alone in this as I am sure there are others of you out there who don't take the opportunity to speak about this great hobby community we have. A hobby that despite your age makes you feel younger, brings you back nostalgia and gives you ever lasting memories.

If more of us, definitely including myself, actually spoke about the hobby and spoke more highly of it, maybe we would be surprised by the responses we may get. Who knows what a simple conversation may lead to. It takes a spark to light a fire.

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