Whenever I find that there’s an increase in the drama in the doll community, I really like to just take a step back. One of the nice things about it being still primarily a hobby with many online interactions is that it is easy to take a step back. You can stop going on Facebook (or stop notifications from all of those groups!), you can temporarily block a forum (or permanently block a Tumblr page…) from your web browser, and just stop altogether. It’s easy to take a pause and a break from the go-go-go online world of Blythe.

I like to take a moment to myself sometimes, and just have some alone time with the dolls. It’s nice to take a moment to create something for them just because or to have a dolly spa day or change out outfits for fun. Sometimes when I get wrapped up in blog post ideas, I find that every single Blythe photo I took was for the purpose of a blog post and sometimes that’s fun, and sometimes it’s not. I went into the Blythe hobby to enjoy myself, not to make it into a job of any sort. Sometimes it’s nice to make something for Blythe just for fun, not because I’m writing up a pattern (although I do love creating patterns as well, so I guess that’s okay too).

It’s important, I think, to reenergize from time to time because it renews your interest and enthusiasm for the Blythe hobby. It’s nice to sometimes just spend some solo time with the dolls, or to create something that’s literally just for you and nobody else. After all, Blythe is a hobby. For some people it is also a livelihood, and I think that’s amazing that they can turn something that they love doing into something that is self-funding and then some. But for me, it is first and foremost a hobby. So sometimes I take a step back, change some outfits, and remember why this hobby is fun.

Do you take breaks from the online part of the Blythe hobby? What do you like to do?

Photo credit to sxc.hu user ngould.

Five years ago to the day, I announced to the Blythe community the existence of this website: BlytheLife.com. Five years ago, my Blythe family looked like this:

Now it has grown in numbers, with a couple of pint-sized additions.

In the last five years, I’ve made a lot of great friends in the doll community. I’ve had the fortune of meeting some of these wonderful people in person. I’ve attended two BlytheCons (Portland, OR and Seattle, WA), and I have the pleasure of being one of the organizers of BlytheCon Vancouver – which is happening in a little over a month from now on Sunday, August 9th at the Sheraton Wall Centre.

To celebrate BlytheLife and you, my wonderful readers, I will be creating something for a lucky reader! That’s right, it’s giveaway time!

I will draw from the pool of commenters on BlytheLife and randomly pick someone to win something! The prize could be anything at all – no spoilers will be given until the winner (winners? maybe….) are announced! The more you comment, the more chances you can have in winning. The winner will be selected and announced on July 31st – any non-spam comments between now and then will be eligible to enter!

This will be open to international entrants. In the words of one of my favourite trilogies written recently, may the odds be ever in your favour.