Do I Need An Intervention?

GoneDiggin_? · Aug 30, 2015

Do I need an intervention? Waking up on the weekends early and thinking of where to hunt and where to go. Packing the car and heading out…. What have I become? Hair undone, dirt under my nails, dirt on my clothes…. but come Monday I am pristine. Then I repeat this behavior the following weekend. Do I need help? 

Z.K. · Sep 10, 2015

I know this is a lighthearted question, but it is also an important one. I find that there really is a line to consider when indulging a passion. The dark side of a deep interest in anything is that if there is not enough discipline to it, it can consume our attention in ways that take away from our life rather than enriching it.

This hobby has incredible things to offer. We also have endless ways of escaping our lives, feelings, and relationships, and metal detecting can certainly become one of them. For me, the key is not choosing detecting over time with my wife, kids, and friends in any way that really compromises things, and being diligent about setting internal limits with myself for how much time I spend thinking about it. I go out 4 hours a week, unless I have some vacation time. When I'm aware that I'm getting unbalanced (like when, instead of seeing all the beautiful forest and farmland around me, all I can think of is what is underneath all that ground) I take some time off.

I can only speak for myself, but I work actively to keep that balance with this hobby; I could so very easily become some obsessed, bearded critter lurking in the forest for that next score!

relic nut · Sep 10, 2015

Z.K. said:
I know this is a lighthearted question, but it is also an important one. I find that there really is a line to consider when indulging a passion. The dark side of a deep interest in anything is that if there is not enough discipline to it, it can consume our attention in ways that take away from our life rather than enriching it.

This hobby has incredible things to offer. We also have endless ways of escaping our lives, feelings, and relationships, and metal detecting can certainly become one of them. For me, the key is not choosing detecting over time with my wife, kids, and friends in any way that really compromises things, and being diligent about setting internal limits with myself for how much time I spend thinking about it. I go out 4 hours a week, unless I have some vacation time. When I'm aware that I'm getting unbalanced (like when, instead of seeing all the beautiful forest and farmland around me, all I can think of is what is underneath all that ground) I take some time off.

I can only speak for myself, but I work actively to keep that balance with this hobby; I could so very easily become some obsessed, bearded critter lurking in the forest for that next score!

Is this what you learned in rehab? (Just kidding, you make a good point)

BigWaveDave · Sep 10, 2015

Skippy SH13 said:
HJAHAHAHA! I've looked at that photo I don't know how many times (glanced) and NEVER noticed the fact he's carring a Lesche digger and running what looks like an ATPro. AWESOME! HAHAHAHAH!!!

Yes....that is a Lesche.... the sash was suppose to be my towel, to keep my digs clean.

BigWaveDave · Sep 10, 2015

Fletch88 said:
It looks like a Bounty Hunter to me (WTH?). I think if I was crazy enough to get a tattoo of a metal detectorist he would have to be carrying a Tesoro Diablo or Conquistador! Lol

It is in fact a Bounty Hunter... my first machine. Fact is, my artist can draw anything....But I forbade him to sketch my canary yellow 350..... just wasn't gonna work.

Nitric · Sep 10, 2015

Z.K. said:
I know this is a lighthearted question, but it is also an important one. I find that there really is a line to consider when indulging a passion. The dark side of a deep interest in anything is that if there is not enough discipline to it, it can consume our attention in ways that take away from our life rather than enriching it.

This hobby has incredible things to offer. We also have endless ways of escaping our lives, feelings, and relationships, and metal detecting can certainly become one of them. For me, the key is not choosing detecting over time with my wife, kids, and friends in any way that really compromises things, and being diligent about setting internal limits with myself for how much time I spend thinking about it. I go out 4 hours a week, unless I have some vacation time. When I'm aware that I'm getting unbalanced (like when, instead of seeing all the beautiful forest and farmland around me, all I can think of is what is underneath all that ground) I take some time off.

I can only speak for myself, but I work actively to keep that balance with this hobby; I could so very easily become some obsessed, bearded critter lurking in the forest for that next score!

Hey!!! These are the things I'm trying to get away from! That's why I go detecting! :laughing7:

I'm joking! Your right with anything!

So, I need a job, that hires family and friends, and involves detecting! Then the whole thing would be covered!

The serious side....I understand exactly what your saying! I've had friends lose their wives and families over hobbies! Like race cars, as one example. All the time and money went into the car.

GoneDiggin_? · Sep 10, 2015

Z.K. said:
I know this is a lighthearted question, but it is also an important one. I find that there really is a line to consider when indulging a passion. The dark side of a deep interest in anything is that if there is not enough discipline to it, it can consume our attention in ways that take away from our life rather than enriching it.

This hobby has incredible things to offer. We also have endless ways of escaping our lives, feelings, and relationships, and metal detecting can certainly become one of them. For me, the key is not choosing detecting over time with my wife, kids, and friends in any way that really compromises things, and being diligent about setting internal limits with myself for how much time I spend thinking about it. I go out 4 hours a week, unless I have some vacation time. When I'm aware that I'm getting unbalanced (like when, instead of seeing all the beautiful forest and farmland around me, all I can think of is what is underneath all that ground) I take some time off.

I can only speak for myself, but I work actively to keep that balance with this hobby; I could so very easily become some obsessed, bearded critter lurking in the forest for that next score!

Trying to keep it at 6 hrs a max a week