The darkest months in the year for our hobby

[Deus_Ex_Machina]

Lately it occurred to me since I went back to the hobby in 2022 that during a few particular months of the year my output is either low or non-existent. It begins to drop off during December and usually January to February it is pretty low too. Does this apply to you as well or isn´t there any difference for you at all?

[Zoatibix]

If your general mood is low during those times you might be suffering from a bit of winter depression aka Seasonally Affected Depression.

 

The darker days mean less sunshine which can have a negative affect on our mood.

Getting out for a walk first thing or a sunlight lamp could help.

 

Of course, I could be reading too much into your post and it’s just the high wind, fewer hours of daylight, etc that are preventing you from doing as much as you like.

 

Edited Tuesday at 08:46 PM by Zoatibix
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[Lathe Biosas]

Come to Florida. Now is the time of priming models... summer has an endless and brutal mix of humidity and rain here.

 

But now I can prime and paint. 

[LameBeard]

Yeah my strategy is to build and convert in the wet British winter and spray and paint in the spring/summer.

 

A strategy I have massively failed to implement!

[Grotsmasha]

Winter?  *Waves from perpetually sunny Brisbane*

I've found no seasonal connection to my hobby mojo.

[Valkia the Bloody]

I actually have less time in summer, since I have summer outdoor hobbies, too (archery and scuba diving). 

If I am in my painting phase, this is often during the dark time of the year.

This is also the reason why I recently started a new army now in autumn and this gives me an engaging activity I can look forward to do in the evenings. 

I now also try to spice up my models and bases with little narrative elements (like a Space Wolf pulling the tail of my Broodlord) and listening to audiobooks while I paint really helps to keep up focus and motivation. 

[The Yncarne]

People also tend to be doing holidays, traveling, doing end of year and new year commitments too during that timeframe. 

[Antarius]

I tend to go into a bit of (involuntary) "hobby hibernation" during the darker months, which does suck, but I've found that being aware of it and going out of my way to make hobby-related appointments/play-dates helps quite a bit.

Edited 15 hours ago by Antarius

[Karhedron]

My hobby energy waxes and wanes and I have learned to just go with the flow and not worry unduly about what comes next. I did a lot of modelling and painting over the summer, now I am trying out new builds and playing with my toys. 

[Domhnall]

I tend to have a step up in the winter months as I get more chance/burst of hobby energy in the evenings as nothing else is going on.

 

I also usually have big plans for the summer months, that tend to not happen because I get fully commandeered by the hobby hindrance's projects that then take up a lot of my spare time!

[Bouargh]

2 hours ago, The Yncarne said:

People also tend to be doing holidays, traveling, doing end of year and new year commitments too during that timeframe. 

 

Same here - Seasons greetings make the end of year full of other things to do, with hobby space largely colonized by relatives and as such made unavailable. So december is very low in terms of productivity. As an example: I wish I could participate to the boxing day challenge but every year I am too busy to even make an attempt... Winter's short day light time is also a limiting factor as I leave home at night and come back at night - painting under artificial light only is not my cup of tea.

 

Same thing happens at Easter (same reason), or in August (Maintenance stops in the chem plant I work, so a lot of work in summer time).

 

[Cleon]

I tend to slow down, because I much prefer painting in daylight to electric light and natural warmth to heating, but this year I'm already at a standstill for various other reasons and trying to force myself to start again.

[phandaal]

14 hours ago, Lathe Biosas said:

Come to Florida. Now is the time of priming models... summer has an endless and brutal mix of humidity and rain here.

 

But now I can prime and paint. 

 

Same thing over here on the other side of the Gulf. Summertime heat and humidity means every primer undercoat is rolling the dice.

 

Right now it is perfect weather to spray out in the garage (and for printing too).