About Time to Give Up a Hobby?

After doing a lot of thinking, it has become time to give up a hobby. For the past 12 years I have been involved in the exhibition budgerigar hobby here in the US. I've had a lot of fun and managed to move up in the hobby to Champion Breeder status. I am one of the few in the country who breeds quality Crested budgies and shows them on a regular basis.

For most of the time, both my wife and I have really enjoyed the hobby and the friendships we have made. In fact, the socializing and friends have been the best part. However, like many things in this day and age, the hobby is changing. Before a TV in every room, and computers, and game consoles, people were more engaged in outside the home activities. Eastern Star, Masons, exhibition budgies, all sorts of things like that have suffered, as we've become a country of stay at home to play people.

A couple of years ago our very best friends in the hobby, who had just retired, moved from Washington to Arizona. Now we don't see them as often, and hardly ever get to see them at bird club meetings and other functions. That means that both Delores and I have lost of lot of the fun feelings we have had in the hobby. Now it is almost like a job instead of a fun hobby. You have to do it because it's an obligation, not fun.

So over the next few days, Delores and I will chat a bit more and then make a decision about leaving the hobby. One thing, like all the hobbies I've chosen over my life, this is an expensive one. So leaving the hobby will save money (grin).

More later on this and other subjects.