What Are the Signs You’re Taking the Hobby Too Seriously?
We’ve seen the signs of taking something to the brink, to an extreme that’s unhealthy for both the person and the community surrounding them. The photo above isn’t necessarily a good example, as collecting one type of vehicle can be immensely rewarding for everyone associated with the collection. It mostly proves that we can become more and more serious in the car hobby.
Perhaps that means we are taking other aspects of our lives too seriously? Are there signs that our love of the automobile is heading us down a path of diminished returns? I believe so, and, for me at least, that mostly centers around the stress caused by Hagerty’s Project Valentino series.*
Perfection Is Overrated
My time with this 1983 Lincoln Continental Valentino Designer Series has been one of delightful highs and terrifying lows. I’ve managed to keep that stress in check, or so I’d like to think. Sometimes I’ll make a dark, disparaging comment about restorations (and restomods in particular) with folks in the classic car scene, and that’s likely because I haven’t come close to finishing this car. I try to be a positive person, and bitterness/sarcasm isn’t exactly great for my constitution.
So here’s the punchline to the joke (as it were): I have been chasing perfection with Project Valentino for years decades, but life as a writer with Hagerty Media made me change my tune. Now I just want the car done and clean enough to impress most folks at a local car show. Perfection is officially overrated for me. Both myself and Project Valentino will be better for it.
What about you, Hagerty Community? What are the signs that you are taking things just a tad too seriously for your own good?
*This asterisk is for Hagerty Community member DUB6, as I have been neglecting this project for other vehicles that are closer to being running and/or restored. I see you, and I will get back on this car soon. I just need to make sure I, ahem, don’t take things too seriously.
maybe it’s my misinterpretation but i don’t think this article is about what part of this hobby ‘does it’ for you. getting back to the title question ‘What Are the Signs You’re Taking the Hobby Too Seriously?’, it would be, imho, when one puts the hobby ahead of more substantial things such as family, your health, your job, etc. the car scene can be as addictive and controlling as any immoral habit. to help avoid this, i need the quality of balance in my life. having said that, i’ve made a living by working in the automotive world and owe a great deal to it. and i’m still thoroughly entrenched in this hobby. Life, more than other’s opinions, will tell whether i’ve gone too far…or not far enough?!?? i’d like to think i’m objective and open enough to listen to others or at least until they start telling me how to live. well i’ve certainly gotten too serious when all of this should be, um, for fun!
Not taking a car out because there is a chance of rain. Someone in our club commented that they wouldn’t be going to a show because there was a 40% chance of rain (it got cloudy and sprinkled on us for about five minutes, nit much more than a heavy mist!). I jokingly told him he shouldn’t have used water based paint. He said the car hadn’t been rained on in 20 years. Do you wash it? Then it gets wet. Just a dirty look after that…
I generally avoid shows in the rain because I hate to sit in the rain. I got caught out the other say in the Vette. 2 inches in 30 min. I know the roof is not leaking now.
I cleaned it up and all that.
I don’t mind getting rained on as it is easy to wipe off to clean the bottom and the wheel wells can be a pain and these details are what make a car a 1 of 2 vs 3-4.
I think just having the thought “am I taking this too seriously?” is probably enough to indicate that one is taking it too seriously. I suffer from this far too often, often leading me to wonder what would help me enjoy the hobby more, or sometimes, enjoy the hobby again at all. There are a lot of aspects to and factors involved in trying to participate in and enjoy the car hobby. And I know I’ve already taken some of those so seriously as to have strayed (transgressed?) deeply from hobby to lifestyle, or perhaps to philosophy and tenet, where ritual and knowledge and personal experience and deep desire fuel the true believer. Are all others are dilettantes and posers? Or maybe they’re just the ones that actually get that it’s a hobby and don’t take it so seriously? Or maybe holding the hobby to a “true believer” degree of scrutiny and embodiment of one’s values just enhances hobby for some of us. This response alone is probably an indicator I’m taking it too seriously, and I just might be okay with that.