I recently had a conversation about obsessions, and how I would even like to have an obsession. Hear me out.
I think life is more fun and enjoyable when you are obsessed with something. I find that you are most creative because you are driven by your sheer determination. You are passionate about something! (Or someone.) I was obsessed with The Phantom of the Opera when I was in high school. I didn’t like Christine, so I read every single Erik x Meg fanfic that existed. I even wrote my own fanfiction, which I never published. That was the only period of my life where I wrote fanfiction.
I have been trying to get into fanfiction writing for a while now lately, but I lack motivation. I don’t have something I’m obsessed with. (Is obsession the right word?)
I recently came across a Tweet that said that the fastest way to improve your art is by being obsessed with something, and I wholeheartedly agree with that. I haven’t drawn in a couple of years, and that’s something I used to do. Cosplay is another hobby that I haven’t done in a long time.
I used to be really into celebrities, but I’m too jaded for that now. I’ve been disappointed by too many scandals to count! 😂
Anyway, I think I just need some motivation. Writing this post is a step, so at least there’s that.
Wretched and Divine 
Obsession is a double-edged sword – I was recently reminded, by reading an old Tumblr post of mine, I used to be into Katekyo Hitman Reborn. Why don’t I talk about it anymore? Literally “I woke up and didn’t like Hibari (my main motivation for being in the fandom, aside from liking what my friends did) anymore.”
The word “obsession” also suggests single-mindedness about it, which is not true for me – I /need/ some variety in my life, because humans are not just 1 favourite thing. For example, I love anime and manga and I’ve spent a bunch of my life trying to base my life around them, but I also wouldn’t be me without my love of books, the Amazing Race, language learning or music. It’s good to not be single-mindedly obsessed, because then you can go from one thing to another without losing momentum.
As for where to start? Just trying your new thing, or even an old thing again, works. Maybe then you’ll recapture that joy that first got you into whatever you’re dealing with. If you don’t, that’s also fine.
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Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve had a couple of obsession phases in my life, but they were mainly during high school. I wonder if it could be an age thing. I don’t really see myself falling for celebrities as much now. I agree that having single-mindedness is not a good thing and that having an obsession is a double-edged sword. If I find my thing, I’ll probably have to tweak the details so that there’s a balance. Thanks, Aria!
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Obsession drives you on to mastery. Most of the great works in the world are from a person who was obsessed with a subject area. Top scientists, artists, business people, etc. are usually obsessed by their field. Engaging in that obsession gives them deep satisfaction.
Aspies like me are prone to obsessions. They are called “special interests” and can consume us. Consumption by obsession was an issue for me when I was young. (I doubt you’ll have that problem.)
Obsession is fun but it can also be a lonely place. It is often difficult to find people who share the obsession. The internet makes it easier to find people who share the obsession – just look at all the anime bloggers here on WordPress. (Spoken as one who shares a pretty “out there” obsession on his blog.)
If you are truly obsessed with it there are people who simply don’t understand obsessions. Find some like minded people to be obsessed with and you’ll enjoy it more.
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Having mastery in something has always been cool to me. I’ve often wondered if I would rather be a master in one thing or have a bit of knowledge on an array of topics but not be an expert in any of them. I’ve swayed back and forth on the matter, but ultimately I think that being an expert on one thing makes you stand out from everyone else. Which would you prefer?
Finding a community is pretty important, and some topics are so niche that it’s hard to find a community. I would imagine that it would be easy to lose interest if there’s no one to engage with or no new content. Unless you create everything yourself.
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I am a minor expert on very many things. It has not been a path to affluence or prestige or public acclaim. From a purely pragmatic point of view, if you want to make money at something, become an expert.
An obsession comes naturally or it is not an obsession. It is instead a discipline you have decided to dedicate yourself too. Obsessions come and go. As a youngster I was obsessed about science, later about photography. It didn’t last because I lacked something inside me. They became hobbies. Like anime-watching or wandering in the woods naked. (I suppose that’s one way to stand out in a field.) 🙂
An amateur is one who does something for love of the activity. An amateur can be just as knowledgable as a professional without the pressure to “perform.” Or rather I should say, without other people applying pressure to perform. It doesn’t mean you won’t be applying pressure to yourself.
Maybe it is your destiny to take something very niche and engage the entire world with it.
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*finds a fellow former Phantom of the Opera stan* Ah, I see you are a woman of culture as well.
Yeah, I agree that obsession or infatuation makes a person more creative. Life is more chill without them, but more passionate with them. It’s an interesting subject.
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Yeah!! Exactly. It’s interesting indeed. XD
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