Ever get burned out on the car hobby?

My frustration is after doing the usual car based "hobbies" for 70 yrs, and always returning to the 55 Chevy, I look at the pile of parts I have, and wonder who'll win out in the "contest" to finish.
Several setbacks with hokey body guys, a hospital stay, etc, makes me wonder, given the propensity to just say "screw it" and not even open the shop door for days on end, will I survive to drive it while I can still eat solid food??
@ 80, the idea of pay your money up ft and buy a finished car, would have probably been a wise move.....But then I didn't graduate from MIT, either.
Oh well.....

I work in new cars for a living. The 55 is my simple fun car to work on and get away.
If your burned out Go to a car show or cruise-in with or without your car and look at all the other cars. That usually get me motivated.
Todd

I think it's been 6 months since I pulled my rear window and started to get the rust cleaned and painted for the new window. I have however driven it this way!

Glad you posted this. I have been feeling the same way. Been overwhelmed at work, side projects, and my own projects. Recently lost my Dad 3 weeks ago, he wasn't a car guy but was always there to help come get me when a car broke on a test run or needed help bleeding the brakes. He always supported my hobby. Been hard with out him, I wanted to just quit and get out of it completely. But I got my old IH truck out and drove it. And remembered that I actually love old cars and trucks. I also remembered life is short time never stops. Find what you love and do that, whatever it is. Find your happiness. Mine apparently is working on old cars. All the ups and downs then good and bad. In the end nothing better then driving one.

As an informal poll, you see that most of us have dealt with this. And that doesn't include the guys who said, "screw it" and walked away.

I've been there. And, maybe I'm there just a bit right now. So, let me tell you my approach:

One of my long-standing jokes is - there's a fine line between a hobby, an obsession, and an illness. In reality, I'm only half joking.

Perhaps it's time to step back and reflect on the situation. What's the cause of the burnout? Too many hours of work, and your body aches? Parts aggravations? Tension building with your spouse? Can't juggle your day job and hours in the shop at night? Do you feel like a slave to a pile of rusty old metal?

Maybe you're in over your head. Maybe your subconscious is just telling you need a better balance in life. But, take the time to reflect and think. Then, make the appropriate adjustments.

Burned out? Not once in 46 years. But I have made it a point to keep it a hobby. There have been times when I have had to focus on getting things done, a good bit of pressure, and times when I had to stop and take a deep breath, but no, never burned out. I think you have to work at that. You have to be extremely mindful that it is just a hobby and make sure you don't cross the line.

I don't get burned out, just frustrated . Go 1 step forward and discover 2 steps I needed to do but missed. Lately I just go out and attempt to do "something" no matter how little. I'm at the stages of nervous about headliner and front and rear windshield and back glass. IF I can get those 3 things done I'll feel I am on the down hill side.

Shadetree55 said:

I don't get burned out, just frustrated . Go 1 step forward and discover 2 steps I needed to do but missed. Lately I just go out and attempt to do "something" no matter how little. I'm at the stages of nervous about headliner and front and rear windshield and back glass. IF I can get those 3 things done I'll feel I am on the down hill side.

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@Dragsix I'm not lucky/blessed enough to have friends with windshield install experience 😕

Let me tell you. What a blessing that was. Come on over and Bob, Patrick and I will get you squared away. Truth be told, it was a huge relief when it went in so I completely understand how you feel.

Dragsix said:

Let me tell you. What a blessing that was. Come on over and Bob, Patrick and I will get you squared away. Truth be told, it was a huge relief when it went in so I completely understand how you feel.

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I've installed several windshields both urethaned in and also rope in style in older chevy trucks but all that stainless in the windshield is intimidating.

I have been working on the 56 for 20 years so in my case, I wouldn't call it burnt out. from Day one I told myself, this is not a daily driver so if you get frustrated, or if something else is more importantant, walk away, and let it sit.
Now that I am ready to retire, I will have more time to start the reassembly.

dpaulie726 said:

I don’t get burnt out on the belair hobby, model car hobby, motorcycle hobby, baseball card hobby, poster hobby, electronics hobby, camping hobby, off-roading hobby, concert hobby, coin/bill hobby. My wife sure does though, Her name is Leigh and she’s my Eskimo, most times she holds the fire to me and that’s a good thing

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Variety is the spice of life so they say. 😁

Shadetree55 said:

@Dragsix I'm not lucky/blessed enough to have friends with windshield install experience 😕

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I have a helper from here lined up, or rather it might be ME as the HELPER since I've never done one. First the rear, then the front. The front does seem intimidating with all the trim. I've lost track of how long I've had the glass sitting here. I hope there are no problems with it.

55 Tony said:

I have a helper from here lined up, or rather it might be ME as the HELPER since I've never done one. First the rear, then the front. The front does seem intimidating with all the trim. I've lost track of how long I've had the glass sitting here. I hope there are no problems with it.

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Lots of lube...

i think i would lose interest if either of my cars was in little pieces, and undrivable. i keep my cars on the "running project" end of things. i get a little nutso, like when i put my hydroboost on, and it didnt work, just mainly because the car was undriveable for a little while. but it was probably only down for 2-3 weeks. I give people a lot of credit that can bring home a pile of parts and work on it for year(s) getting it back on the road. i dont have that kind of patience.

55 Tony said:

I have a helper from here lined up, or rather it might be ME as the HELPER since I've never done one. First the rear, then the front. The front does seem intimidating with all the trim. I've lost track of how long I've had the glass sitting here. I hope there are no problems with it.

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Take a look at the Dragsix Jr. Four Door Sedan thread I have in the project section. Mikey (55wagoncrazy) gives detailed instructions as to how to install the windshield chrome and all the clips for the front windshield. I took photos of the install and you can follow along. With Mikey's instructions, all the trim went on without any hitches.

For me it is all about perception. I have always considered the task of working on my own cars and even my customers cars as opportunities for small victories. I need to win a fight once in awhile and this occupation presents quite a few bouts with frustration or outright misery. I think it builds a certain type of character that is sustainable. Lessons in patients and logic are included with every job I do.


I will state that the wins in this culture are some of the sweetest God has ever let me earn.

What bothers a lot of people (me included) is we tend to look at the "big picture", and get discouraged. You think you will never get this done. It has helped me to keep a running list of things to do. When you finish one, mark it off the list. Makes you feel like you accomplished something...no matter how small. If I don't feel good that day I pick something easy off the list. All of it has to be done, but not all at once.

davidc said:

What bothers a lot of people (me included) is we tend to look at the "big picture", and get discouraged. You think you will never get this done. It has helped me to keep a running list of things to do. When you finish one, mark it off the list. Makes you feel like you accomplished something...no matter how small. If I don't feel good that day I pick something easy off the list. All of it has to be done, but not all at once.

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My problem with picking a task to do is I seem to always find something else that has to be done before I can do what I started to do. Simple brake/cruise switch turns into having to remove whole pedal for bushings.

My frustration is time (as in the lack of). 2023 will see essentially no progress on the 57. I have higher hopes for 2024!
It gets overwhelming when I think of all that has to be done. Breaking it down into smaller bites helps.
Ultimately, if it’s stressing you out, step away for a bit. Or just drive the snot out of it 😊