A hobby?

[Cathytg]

I have seen a number of you ladies refer to dressing as a "hobby". I used to build model ships but I don't think it's the same thing. I am truly interested in your perspectives on this when you use the word "hobby". Those of you who call your dressing a "hobby", couold you share with us your meaning?

BTW, it is your meaning and is, therefore, completely valid and not be debated.

[Lorileah]

a hobby is something that is done for your own entertainment and for relaxation often contrary to your vocation. Some people turn hobbies into income but then I think it goes from hobby to job.

For me it's more hobby because as of right now I don't desire making it a full time occupation.

[tricia_uktv]

Sadly for me its an obsession. But then thats a good thing and has made mr so happy :)

[Karren H]

I don't know what it is... But I refer to it as a hobby.. Seems to fit some days when I feel more like a collector of feminine things vs a crossdresser and days it seems like a sport.. Shopping should be an olympic sport.. And how many posts have we seen on how fast can you get dressed? Lol. More like a combination... Fem-Spobby.... A feminine competitive hobby! Yeah!

[Kate Simmons]

Not quite a "hobby" to me as it is an art form. I have a lot of different looks. If you saw what I start out with you would understand what I mean.:)

[Phyliss]

I have seen a number of you ladies refer to dressing as a "hobby". I used to build model ships but I don't think it's the same thing. I am truly interested in your perspectives on this when you use the word "hobby". Those of you who call your dressing a "hobby", couold you share with us your meaning?

BTW, it is your meaning and is, therefore, completely valid and not be debated.

I like model rail roading, and putting together different layouts. I finally acquired a black suit, lantern and pocket watch, plus I found a cap that says conductor.
All this = hobby

One day I went to the local mall wearing my conductor suit. Kept checking the watch and making sure everything was on time. = becoming a bit more serious about this.

Soon I found myself at the local train yard and was mistaken for a REAL conductor. = passing

I finally landed a job as an actual conductor = srs

IDK .... just my odd thoughts. Take it for what it's worth

[LaurenB]

We often read so much psycho reasoning into this activity. If I step back and compare it to all my other extraciricular interests, other than the fact that it's somewhat culturally unacceptable, it really is the same thing. It provides pleasure, escape from everyday stresses, is a creative outlet, it is a learning vehicle (hey who knew what an A-line vs an Empire waist dress meant), like some forms of exercise (running, cycling and yoga) it calms you. Ok so maybe there's no sexual component to other hobbies, but so what. Even that can be argued. Some hobbies are done for the sole purpose of mate differentiaton (read: I'm cool, come sailing with me or come look at my pristine muscle car...hmmm). Maybe by approaching it as a hobby - and advertising that way, the reast of the world may be more accepting of us. Everyone who doesn't do fly fishing <or fill your favorite hobby> thinks people who do are eccentric and obsessed with tiny details etc.

I can see it now: National Cross Dressing Association (Like NRA sort of) Promoting Cross Dressing for fun, pleasure and education. Anyone ever go to a StarTrek convention? You know it's not that much different...

Lauren

[lynnrichards]

Although there are aspects of cross-dressing that are like having a hobby, calling it a hobby is kind of sugar coating it. Really, it's an obsession. Let's face it!

But as John Waters has said, "What is life, if you're not obsessed?"

[Edwina]

One day, when my wife found my breast forms and asked me what I was doing with them (see a much earlier post of mine for full story.) I replied, I am a cross dresser, it is my hobby. It's was the only explanation I could come up with at the time but I know that for me it is much more.

:love:

Edwina

[Sarah_new]

Hobby, obsession or whatever you want to call it, I really don't know. All I do know is that I do it because I enjoy it and makes me feel good. Could I live without it; well as I'm in the closet anyway, probably I could. Do I want to take it further? No, I'm happy being a guy who just happens to enjoy dressing and acting like a girl at times. So I suppose the word hobby kinda fits, but I really don't mind what it's called.

[tamarav]

Hobby, avocation, predilection, interest, whatever. I think a lot of us use this term because it gives it more of a non-permanent feeling. Call it anything you like.

Personally I look more at it as a lifestyle.

[Sally2005]

I think you have to be clear we are talking about part time CDing. "Hobbie" is one of the words that does a pretty good job to describe what we do. It is a non-threatening word and most people can relate to what a hobbie is. I don't see it as an either/or vs other terms like obsession because many people are obsessed with their hobbies. A photographer spends hours getting the perfect image, often too many hours if you talk to their spouse.

Some other terms: Acting, Escape, Exploring, Experimenting, Self expression, Facing fear, Exhibitionism, Fun, Balance.

[AndreaCD 2007]

i don't know what i would call my crossdressing, to me it's much mor then a hobby..it's part of me!!!

[Frédérique]

I have seen a number of you ladies refer to dressing as a "hobby". I used to build model ships but I don't think it's the same thing. I am truly interested in your perspectives on this when you use the word "hobby".

Funny you would bring this up today, because I was just thinking about it. Crossdressing is not a hobby for me – I don’t exactly gather supplies at Hobby Lobby, set aside time to do put things together, and relax in my little nook enjoying my “pastime.” However, I would say that being on this site is my “hobby.” I come here to relax and talk about the indescribable presence of crossdressing in my life with others who share this unique passion. Sometimes I have nothing to say :clap:, so I just read the posts and gather thoughts for future “excursions.” Coming here every day actually prevents dressing being a hobby – I can think “outside the closet” and keep things compartmentalized, if that makes any sense…:battingeyelashes:

[Rachel Morley]

Is it hobby?......hummm....this is maybe a good way of putting it when you are trying to explain CDing to someone when you aren't quite sure what they're reaction might be ... or perhaps this is the term I'd expect someone to say back to me when they don't really understand what CDing is for me (and for a lot of people).

You see, for me, I'd have to say it's a bit more serious than a hobby but not quite an obsession. A hobby is what I used to tell myself it was before I accepted what it really actually is for me. It effects me emotionally too much to be a hobby, I'd have to say that for me it's an integral part of who I am. I know I can't be happy without incorporating it into my everyday life.

[PretzelGirl]

I am okay with calling it a hobby. I am not looking to transition and I think that can be one of the dividing lines (among many). And I also think it is okay to be obsessed over a hobby. I am terribly obsessed over another hobby of mine and I use it to express my self too.

Words are just a tool to convey a thought. So as long as you get a point across to someone, does it matter which words you use?

[docrobbysherry]

If it's NOT your lifestyle? Then, what would u call CDing, if NOT a hobby?:brolleyes:

OTHER hobbies can be obsessive, too. Have u seen the model train layouts bigger than a 3 car garage? The builder is wearing his engineer's outfit. He designs every scene on the layout accurately down to the smallest detail!:eek:

Is THAT so much different than what I do? I try to dress up Sherry in new looks and outfits, down to minute details?

As Denise said, it's a form of ART! I'm constantly working on new faces, figures, looks, etc. Making a new mold for a mask rite now!:D

[LaurenB]

Ever spend any time with a serious fly fisherman? It's the best analogy I can think of. Studying insects, studying maps and rivers, thought put into equipment. The ever present fly tying equipment. And the look. One must have waders, a vest (chock full), a cigar, unshaven for the past 4 days, a ball cap, polarized glasses.....and of course apres fishing, the bourbons around the fire or at the bar and a steak dinner. Oh and you have to have a rusty pickup truck. Everyone knows what you're into. And you know it's alot fun being Ernest Hemingway for a few days.

How many other obsessive activities are there.

This is just one of many - and it's a very fulfilling and enjoyable one. I used to know a pilot who said everytime he climbed into his twin and cranked those engines, he got a hard-on. Sound familiar?

If it's not a hobby it must be a religon, then...

[Ashley_in_Texas]

I have many hobbies, including, but not limited to: crossdressing, computer building, welding, woodworking, scuba diving, electronics..... And so on. I am not full time at any of these, nor do I want to be. That would take the fun out of it, for me, and make them more like "jobs". I am a plumber, and I never do plumbing for "fun".