Facing Reality Becomes a Challenge for Hobbyists to Continue their Hobbies.
On July 14, we asked the public on social media what made them take a break or quit their hobbies, spanning communities in cosplay, journaling, arts, Trading Card Games (TCG), gaming, and the like.
Up until the writing of this article, we have received 85 comments and 196 shares, each telling unique stories on the matter. However, three prevailing reasons consistently pointed out by the community were Time, Money, and the Environment surrounding their hobbies.
Time or the lack thereof
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, people suddenly found themselves with a bunch of free time in their hands. In the Philippines, the sudden suspension of face-to-face classes and the shift to work-from-home setups led many to explore new hobbies to cope with isolation, while others took breaks from their pre-pandemic interests or downscaled them. Ultimately, people craved a physical escape where they could practice their hobbies outside and meet up with those who shared similar interests.
In a 2022 article by Lifestyle Inquirer, it was cited that the pandemic caused a “drought” in crowd events such as art markets, cosplay conventions, and toy exhibits. Thus, the return of ToyCon 2022 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City brought joy to collectors when it returned to the public scene.
A Philstar Life article by Cara Gabrielle Olaguer in 2020 similarly mentioned that despite the pandemic, people continued their cosplay hobbies, with some gaining interest and planning to attend once the world opened up again thanks to social media.
As public events finally resumed, attendees got to witness new trends within their hobbies and forge unique connections. However, as the world slowly returned to normal, so did reality. Many were forced to step back from the community to prioritize family, real-world responsibilities, and academics.
"Majority is really because of real-life obligations, whether it be cosplay, gaming, or even anime watching. You really just [get] in and out of all the hobbies when you get free time," one commenter shared.
"Mine is due to work. Reality hits me hard, that's why I had to pause the hobbies I love," another noted.
Needs favor the Wants
As the world reopened and events surged back with events from grassroots fan meetups to major corporate conventions, the costs started to pile up for people. From the rising prices of hobby materials to expensive event tickets and the weakening Philippine Peso, attendees and organizers alike suffered.
This financial strain has caused enthusiasts to become highly selective about which events to attend or exhibit at. Some have favored events that offer free admission or require a small entry fee to enjoy their "third spaces." However, such free events sometimes struggle with a lack of innovation, not due to a lack of ideas, but rather the immense difficulty of pulling in funding, relying mostly on merchants and sponsors to stay afloat.
"Bland events, so I choose the major ones or bago sakin (new to me)," a commenter pointed out.
"Basically, resources. Also, the fact that there are a lot of excellent cosplayers out there feels demoralizing at times," admitted another.
Others pulled back from their hobbies due to the demands of "adulting." As previous generations of hobbyists grew older, they realized they needed to prioritize their basic needs over self-actualization. This directly relates to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, where physiological necessities such as food, shelter, and financial stability overpower the factors that simply provide enjoyment.
Toxicity in the spaces
Another key reason people left their hobbies lies in the environment itself. Several commenters on our #KuhakuAsks segment mentioned that scalping or hoarding items to resell at above-market prices drove them away, especially within the Trading card community. Bullying and discrimination were also heavily mentioned, mostly within the cosplay and gaming spheres.
"People made fun of my creations too much to the point that it wasn't a joke anymore," a user shared.
"Due to toxic people who think I'm a weirdo and make fun of me, I felt demoralized and didn't have the courage to cosplay anymore, so I just focused on my career. I am currently a silent con-goer," another admitted.
For the cosplay community, discrimination remains a big issue. Community forums such as "Cosplay Market PH" allow anonymous postings, which are sometimes used to single out individuals and spread negativity. This is also thanks to its moderators being inactive on the platform. While some of these call-outs work in a positive light to expose alleged scammers or individuals who genuinely harm the community, others are better suited for private discussion. The anonymity feature can sometimes lead to baseless allegations or the sharing of sensitive content, causing more harm than good.
Faced with these challenges, some choose to steer clear to find peace of mind. A few commenters noted they moved on to entirely different interests, such as car building or Larping (Live-Action Roleplaying). Larping which is a common slang, the actual hobby of Larping involves fully embodying a specific character and immersing oneself in a dedicated environment. Often seen at Renaissance Fairs, participants dress as elves, merchants, or knights, finding a new escape free from the usual convention pressures.
For others, the departure isn't permanent as they merely sought to take a break, focus on essentials, and heal before returning to their original passions.
"I continued my career and hobby because I love this community. Eto ang naging gamot ko sa madilim kong nakaraan (It became my cure for my dark past)," one commenter reflected on idol culture and cosplay.
"Cosplaying is for everyone. It's fun, it's a hobby, and it's entertaining. I miss doing cosplaying, but here I am now. My excitement came back for me," said another.
The world hasn’t ended yet, and neither will the hobbies people grew up loving. Some simply evolve and navigate towards greener pastures, while others wait until they get a hold of their lives to revisit what they left behind. Because people are inherently social creatures, we aspire to connect with others who relate to who we are and what we represent. The challenges of reality are temporary, but the joy and opportunities our hobbies have given us will stick with us until the end.
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