Friday, January 11, 2008
Thinking Of Getting Out?
I think about rabbits a lot. I plan breedings in my head. I think about what will make our next show successful. I think about what changes could be made in our hobby to improve it. I think about what needs to be cleaned next in the barn. I think about whether I should get out of rabbits.
And apparently, I'm not the only one. I have friends who think about getting out of rabbits. Unfortunately, some of them act on it. Others just mull the issue for a long time.
We have a pretty big turnover rate in rabbits. A friend of mine told me when I first started that if you make it past five years, then you might just stick with it. I wish I could remember the exact number, but Chris Hayhow mentioned at the General Membership meeting the number of ARBA members that turnover every three years. It was a tremendous number (one of the reasons they don't want Conventions bid too far in the future - there are lower odds that the original group would still be intact).
So why do we think about getting out of rabbits, a hobby we love so much? I suppose the reasons are as varied as we are. I think about it because of the time it takes me away from home. I think about it because of the costs involved, especially when we have children at home who need so much.
I suspect that some people think about getting out because they feel they are making no progress in their herd. Others get interested in other things. That's especially natural for teenagers. Some may find the competition is not only tough, but not very friendly. Still others may not be able to deal with the no-time-off quality of raising rabbits.
So what should you do if you find yourself thinking about getting out? First of all, don't be hasty. Some folks have made the decision and sold their herds within a matter of days. I wonder if they regret their decision. I do have one friend who sold everything, but thankfully decided to get back in to rabbits. We missed her.
Try listing the reasons you want to get out of rabbits. Then list the reasons you would want to stay. If your reasons for getting out include not liking rabbits any more or not getting joy out of the hobby, then you are probably ready for your getting-out-of-bunnies sale. Even having more interest elsewhere is a good reason to get out.
If your reasons for staying in aren't that substantial, you may want to get out, too. I expect that you have good reasons for staying in, though: friends, a break from regular life, baby bunnies, the excitement of the possibility of a great rabbit in each litter, the feeling of accomplishment, travel, and much more.
I'm willing to guess that a good percentage of people who think about getting out do so because they are torn between family responsibilities and their hobby. If that's the case, think about whether you have any other "me" time. A mother or a father who has nothing but work and responsibility in their lives is going to burn out.
Do members of your family put you on a guilt trip, either on purpose or accidentally? Perhaps a frank talk would help. Hear why they want more of your time and then explain how important it is that you have an outlet for creativity or time with your friends or a place at home to get away from it all or a way to be successful or whatever is important to you.
Is the cost of showing getting to be too much for your family budget? Perhaps the answer is in re-sizing your barn or your show schedule. Sharing rides, not showing every rabbit at every show, and managing your barn more tightly could all help. Perhaps you can pick up a project to make bunny money - make nest boxes, make rabbit decorator items, create show awards, etc. Almost every club is always looking for new award ideas.
A great alternative to getting out of rabbits is to downsize. I didn't choose to downsize, but rather had it thrust upon me. I'm enjoying it for the time being. I can't say whether it'll always stay this small or not. But for now, it suits me.
But what if you need a total break? You could decide to co-op and put your best bunnies with your new partner for a time. You could lend out your best rabbits and sell the rest. Then when you want to get back in, you could get your lent rabbits back (probably just bucks, if you are out for a while). Or if you want a long break, then give your best rabbits away to friends who will give you stock to get started again when you are ready.
If you have any doubts, don't sell your equipment. Unless you have the kind of money to start from scratch, that could be a huge financial mistake.
One thing that adds stress to our lives is having to make decisions. If you have an open question that you are constantly reconsidering, you are increasing the stress in your life. If you constantly think about getting out of rabbits, take the time to work out your answer. And then don't address the question again for a period of time, perhaps 3 or 6 months. Free yourself from a nagging question by taking action. Whether it's talking things out, changing the way you do things, downsizing, or getting out, resolve the question if you are one of the people thinking of getting out of rabbits.
I hope you stay.
Laurie ¶ 10:45 AM
And apparently, I'm not the only one. I have friends who think about getting out of rabbits. Unfortunately, some of them act on it. Others just mull the issue for a long time.
We have a pretty big turnover rate in rabbits. A friend of mine told me when I first started that if you make it past five years, then you might just stick with it. I wish I could remember the exact number, but Chris Hayhow mentioned at the General Membership meeting the number of ARBA members that turnover every three years. It was a tremendous number (one of the reasons they don't want Conventions bid too far in the future - there are lower odds that the original group would still be intact).
So why do we think about getting out of rabbits, a hobby we love so much? I suppose the reasons are as varied as we are. I think about it because of the time it takes me away from home. I think about it because of the costs involved, especially when we have children at home who need so much.
I suspect that some people think about getting out because they feel they are making no progress in their herd. Others get interested in other things. That's especially natural for teenagers. Some may find the competition is not only tough, but not very friendly. Still others may not be able to deal with the no-time-off quality of raising rabbits.
So what should you do if you find yourself thinking about getting out? First of all, don't be hasty. Some folks have made the decision and sold their herds within a matter of days. I wonder if they regret their decision. I do have one friend who sold everything, but thankfully decided to get back in to rabbits. We missed her.
Try listing the reasons you want to get out of rabbits. Then list the reasons you would want to stay. If your reasons for getting out include not liking rabbits any more or not getting joy out of the hobby, then you are probably ready for your getting-out-of-bunnies sale. Even having more interest elsewhere is a good reason to get out.
If your reasons for staying in aren't that substantial, you may want to get out, too. I expect that you have good reasons for staying in, though: friends, a break from regular life, baby bunnies, the excitement of the possibility of a great rabbit in each litter, the feeling of accomplishment, travel, and much more.
I'm willing to guess that a good percentage of people who think about getting out do so because they are torn between family responsibilities and their hobby. If that's the case, think about whether you have any other "me" time. A mother or a father who has nothing but work and responsibility in their lives is going to burn out.
Do members of your family put you on a guilt trip, either on purpose or accidentally? Perhaps a frank talk would help. Hear why they want more of your time and then explain how important it is that you have an outlet for creativity or time with your friends or a place at home to get away from it all or a way to be successful or whatever is important to you.
Is the cost of showing getting to be too much for your family budget? Perhaps the answer is in re-sizing your barn or your show schedule. Sharing rides, not showing every rabbit at every show, and managing your barn more tightly could all help. Perhaps you can pick up a project to make bunny money - make nest boxes, make rabbit decorator items, create show awards, etc. Almost every club is always looking for new award ideas.
A great alternative to getting out of rabbits is to downsize. I didn't choose to downsize, but rather had it thrust upon me. I'm enjoying it for the time being. I can't say whether it'll always stay this small or not. But for now, it suits me.
But what if you need a total break? You could decide to co-op and put your best bunnies with your new partner for a time. You could lend out your best rabbits and sell the rest. Then when you want to get back in, you could get your lent rabbits back (probably just bucks, if you are out for a while). Or if you want a long break, then give your best rabbits away to friends who will give you stock to get started again when you are ready.
If you have any doubts, don't sell your equipment. Unless you have the kind of money to start from scratch, that could be a huge financial mistake.
One thing that adds stress to our lives is having to make decisions. If you have an open question that you are constantly reconsidering, you are increasing the stress in your life. If you constantly think about getting out of rabbits, take the time to work out your answer. And then don't address the question again for a period of time, perhaps 3 or 6 months. Free yourself from a nagging question by taking action. Whether it's talking things out, changing the way you do things, downsizing, or getting out, resolve the question if you are one of the people thinking of getting out of rabbits.
I hope you stay.
Laurie ¶ 10:45 AM
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I think alot of the decision to leave has to do with the politics and the negativity that comes with a group of people. I have been doing this almost 30 years but I too am at a point that it is getting too frustrating at times dealing with people who gossip, have poor sportmanship, etc. People sometimes tend to lose focus that this is a HOBBY and we do this for enjoyment and a challenge. It used to be a pleasurable social time spent with good friends enjoying a good friendly competition.
I do this for a hobby. I like to see healthy animals and strive towards that acheivement of the standard of perfection. I compete only against myself in real terms.
I love the animals. But I do not enjoy how mean and negative people can be towards eachother.
your post came at an interesting time, one at which I am contemplating calling it quits.
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I do this for a hobby. I like to see healthy animals and strive towards that acheivement of the standard of perfection. I compete only against myself in real terms.
I love the animals. But I do not enjoy how mean and negative people can be towards eachother.
your post came at an interesting time, one at which I am contemplating calling it quits.
# posted by 
: 9:50 PM
: 9:50 PMLinks to this post:
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