I am at a point where I’ve pretty much milked the models of my favourite topic. Which is WW2 military trucks and tank transporters of all countries.
I’m now wondering where to go next.
Has anybody else reached this point in their model making?
Look forward to replies/ideas
Nope - I have too many favourite topics to run out of interesting ideas anytime soon! My problem is running out of time and storage space…
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I can’t say this has happened to me exactly but I do get bored with one subject or another from time to time. What works for me may not work for you or someone else. Having said that what does work for me often enough is a change of subject or even a change of scale- like from a tank to a car model or from a bust to 1/35. Or perhaps going for something modern after doing something from WW2.
I like all subjects and genres / modeling mediums but I do lose the modeling mojo from time to time , especially if it is a long involved build . I find it helpful to take a break and enjoy one of my other hobbies ( I have quite a few it seems! ) .
Sometimes it helps to do a simple quick “ pallet cleansing “ build - Tamiya shake and bake kits with no aftermarket are good for this . I also find respite in the beautiful 1/48 resin vehicle kit from Accurate Armour .
Of all my hobbies and interests modeling always calls me back - been at it for nearly 65 years.
There are a plethora of kits out there with 3D printing: figures, weapons, gear, etc. Scales can change as can customization.
I usually pick up new interests from reading a book, watching a movie or documentary or YouTube, or browsing the internet.
I too have so many modern topic interests that the issue is running out of display and storage space also. 
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Taking a break really helps. Just stop for a while and get away from your bench. A week, a month, a year. However long you need.
If you haven’t hit that point yet, try building something completely out of your comfort zone. Like a gundam or a dinosaur. Works for me.
Hello - yes, I have gotten burned out on particular subjects, and model building in general. I’ve found that time helps with general burn out - walk away from kits for a while, and get back to it when it seems appealing again. I have not had luck sitting down and trying to force myself to like building things again 
As far as subjects, I have found that I look for projects that have the elements I like rather than just the subject. For example, I like building modern softskins and realized that I like the suspension and various mechanical parts as much as the subject (and all the PE/aftermarket details that go with it!) so changed over to building Formula 1 racecars for a while - as the older cars have exposed engines and suspension. This was a lot of fun interesting and challenging on all levels, like getting a good finish on the body paint work - not easy for me! This transition led me to get more bold with scratch building which I like too, and is open to almost all subjects.
I like building dioramas, which often includes using basswood for buildings and fences etc, so I ordered a couple of beginner board on board construction sail boats - why not? I also purchased a 1/24 scale model of a San Francisco cable car - which is a wood laser cut kit with white metal and brass details - just because it looked interesting. Funny enough I haven’t started either of these yet, because I’m thinking about a kitbash/conversion on…a modern softskin!
Good luck finding something new to build! keep after it!
Nick
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The Sci-Fi and Alternative History Campaign IX has just kicked off. You might like to have a look through Campaigns VII and VIII to see the variety of ideas people come up with. Armour modellers usually have plenty of left-overs in the bits box, I don’t know if that’s true for softskin builders. I’ve said it before (and likely will again); scratch built sci-fi is the one genre where you can start with no clear idea of what you’re making and still not know at the point it sort of looks finished yet no-one can criticise it if even you don’t know what it is. The ideal no-pressure excuse to sniff glue, and low cost because you can use any stuff you have lying around that you can glue; not just sprue but plastic cutlery, disposable razors, coffee stirrers, and so on. Unleash your inner insanity!
Cheers,
M
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That would probable fit in with the “Convoy” group build…
Cheers,
M
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I wish I had that problem. I’m on the other end of the spectrum - I’d definitely like to have narrower interests.
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I’m with Tom C @barkingdigger. Too many new products hitting the market of the soft skins variety to be bored.
Working up to doing a WWII Chevy Firetruck using the new MiniArt offering as a base.
Since I also model railroads and the occassional aircraft I can also easily switch it up from time to time.
I am sure you must be a frequent visitor to the “Scratch Built & Conversions” and “Allied Trucks” threads.
Also occasionally building a kit more or less OOB seems to help me to avoid mentally “hitting the brick wall” of modeling.
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@Chrisb760 how about loads for your trucks and transporters? You can build crates from basswood for the trucks, barrels, Jerry cans, and so on. Tanks, AFVs, whether enemy or otherwise, of just about any stripe for your transporters. I like the same as you - I’m super into the softskin side of armor modeling but it gives me a reason to model tanks as well. Food for thought if you haven’t already. Regardless, model on, man!
Jimbo
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Follow the dateline - the Cold War!
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You can slways go back and try to improve on your earlier efforts,try different kits,manufacturers,or versions.
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Hi Mike, check out my recent post on the Allied Trucks thread! You may like it…
Thanks for the heads up - I might try and find that thread! I have been on a couple of scratch building campaigns and they were fun -
cheers
Nick
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Speaking of loads for your softskin trucks:
Something I don’t think I have ever seen modeled - all three sides of most German trucks and farm wagons fold down. (Fairly ingenious if you ask me.) Left and right sides plus the tailgate can all be folded down for either side or end loading but all anyone ever models is the tailgate down - Even Tamiya with their two soldier figures rolling an oil drum up into a Blitz truck.
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I thought I saw a reply that mentioned Depression but if it was in this thread it’s apparently disappeared. I’ve been stalled for over a year on a 4 year project (Anthropoid) and still unclear what’s happened. I can forgive myself sheer burnout, it took a massive amount of work – all fun I should say, but I think everyone has a tipping point where you just have to Pause and obviously I found mine.
But trying some other line of modelling has no appeal. And yet I’m loving (mostly) what everyone else is posting in multiple forums so it’s not like I’ve fallen out of love with the hobby. It seems to be more that I’ve fallen out of love with what I was doing in the hobby. Which makes me wonder whether it’s a strange form of Depression I’m not aware of? I keep rejecting that theory because I still like, even proud of what I’ve done. Others have backed that up with their ever-gratefully received comments & likes so I don’t feel I’ve been completely deluding myself. So what the f…. is the problem? I do not know.
Boredom may be part of the answer, but I’ve always believed boredom is just another word for laziness i.e. if someone’s bored it’s because they can’t be bothered to find something that really interests them. So maybe I’ve just become lazy? Hmmm….
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I think there is a real impact from cycles of depression , mania, and avoidance that cross over into our hobbies. I know I go through periods when I can’t seem to muster the enthusiasm, and manic times when I can’t stop getting builds done. Then there’s times when I turn to building to avoid some other task in the “real world”. Most of us aren’t machines, capable of churning out a constant flow of models - our wider mental health status will naturally affect things. The trick is to realise that’s just how life works, and to go with the flow. If a model sits for a few months waiting for my mojo then so be it.
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Boy you just said a mouth full there!
I am totally with you on that!
Also something that just became clear to me with your comments here.
When my mojo dies I will sometimes start a new and intriguing kit to get myself “back into it”. And that my friends, is why I have like THIRTY kits started with really no hope of ever finishing.
I just did it again last night with the starting of that MiniArt Chevy Cargo that I want to convert to a fire truck.
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