(Written by Strider)
The LEGO Dark Ages… I’m using capital first letters for a reason. Some new LEGO fans might not yet be introduced to what this dangerous term means, so just to make sure everyone knows what I am talking about I will begin with an explanation. (LEGO Comic by FBTB.net)
➡ WHAT IS THE LEGO DARK AGES? – The Dark Ages is the period in a LEGO fan’s life, when they loose interest in their beloved little LEGO bricks. The following comes soon after; the LEGO collection is given away, or at least gets pushed into a dark closet or attic, completely forgotten…
➡ WHEN DOES THE LEGO DARK AGES HAPPEN? – This depends on the reason why it comes up in the first place. If it has to do with someone thinking that building with LEGO is childish and he/she is embarrassed, it will occur probably around the teen years. If it instead occurs simply because the person becomes interested in other things, it could happen anytime, though I believe the teens to twenties period is the most dangerous. It could sneak up on you quite suddenly, so beware…
➡ HOW DO I STOP THE LEGO DARK AGES? – Asking this question would be like asking Doctor Who to stop liking fish-sticks and custard. It would be like asking Sherlock Holmes to stop liking solving mysteries. I am not saying that there is no way it will not happen to you; from what I have read this tragedy happens even to seasoned LEGO fans who are aware of the threat. However it is still possible to avoid it or at least mitigate the effect. Once it starts though, it can be extremely hard or near impossible to stop. A better question would be…
➡ HOW DO I MAKE IT THROUGH THE DARK AGES? – This is the big question, and the one this post will focus on. First off all relax, it is normal. Do not freak out just because your interest in the LEGO hobby starts to fade. Changing hobbies or interests can happen to all of us. Below are some tips that would help you to come back to the LEGO hobby when you want…
- Keep some of your LEGO collection in sight; you do not have to place them right in front of you all the time, but it is best not to pack everything away. How will you come back to the hobby if you forget completely that you even own any LEGO sets? Your collection could also very well get lost, thrown out, or given away by someone you live with who doesn’t know any better. Instead, it would be better to place some of your LEGO sets or your own LEGO creations (even just one) on a shelf or desk that you can see regularly and is easy to reach. This will keep your LEGO in sight, and give you a chance to play around a bit whenever you get inspired.
- Do not give away your LEGO collection; you may want to share them with siblings or friends, but do not give them away. The chances are very high that you will regret it later, and when you do it will be very sad indeed. It might take years to build back up what you had before and will likely take much money and time. Again, feel free to share them by all means – you might even get inspired by the creations of others – but do not give them away!
- Do not force yourself to use them; getting through the Dark Ages is normal – it is just the way your mind and interests shift. So if you want to do other things go ahead, nothing is stopping you. If you force yourself to continue building with LEGO when you don’t really want to, it will be an un-enjoyable experience, and that is not how you want your memories of the LEGO hobby to be. When you do return to the wonderful world of LEGO it should be because you want to and you truly enjoy the experience. After all, that is what LEGO is all about.
Getting out of the Dark Ages could be just as sudden as entering it. You may see a wonderful LEGO creation online, end up in the LEGO-isle in your local department store, or rediscover your LEGO collection while clearing house for moving. These are just some pointers about the Dark Ages period many LEGO fans experience at some point in their life. I realize this is a big topic, so please feel free to share your own thoughts and experiences. Have you gone through the Dark Ages before? How did you cope with it? Did you give away your LEGO collection or made other decisions that you later regretted? Do you have any suggestions or tips for others? You are welcome to share in the comment section below!
This is my first article here at theBrickBlogger so thanks for reading! You may also like to check out the following related posts:
