Debating getting rid of everything...

[Skiploder]

It has been a long time since I have posted anything on here. Over the last year, the whole thrill of breeding these snakes has really lost its appeal to me. I started selling a couple snakes, then eventually ended up getting rid of about 10. I didn't have a huge collection - about 30. Now I am left with the stuff that I really wanted to work on before, but don't know if I care much about it now.

I feel like I am wasting soooo much time and money. I was hoping for the breeding to pay for the hobby, or at least come close. Last season was a big strikeout, this season is looking better, but not much better. However now, dealing with everything just feels like a chore.

Should I sell everything off? Should I sell some and keep some? What should I do? I could use the money, and my time free'd up, but don't want to quit and regret it later. I only have a couple higher end snakes, and the rest are all hets and a couple normals.

If I do decide to sell everything, do many people buy entire collections? Or am I going to be stuck selling them one by one?

I appreciate any opinions you all may have. I just can't make up my mind.

People who stay in this hobby for the long run do so for reasons other than money.

They do it for reasons other than breeding. They do it because the love their animals. They look forward to interact with their animals. They do not look forward to the cleanings and feedings and record keeping as chores - but activities that they find peace or pleasure in.

I've seen a lot of people come and go. A lot of people who have sprung into this hobby and built up a cult of personality around them due to the fact that they could get two expensive snakes to screw. They convince themselves and others that they are in it for the love of the animals, but in the end the love of the dollar seems to cancel out the love of the species. At some point they realize that they aren't going to strike it rich in this ponzi scheme and quietly fade off.

Then there are the people who get bit with the bug and begin collecting animals. They have no idea how costly and time consuming such a collection entails. Again, we see them light up the forums fiercely and briefly and then quietly fade away.

The forums are rife with these people.

Are you one of those people who are in it for the snakes or the money? If it's the latter, do yourself and your animals a favor and find good homes for them.

Are you a person who got into things too fast and the cost of the hobby outstripped your means to support it?

I honestly can't tell from your post. Is the cost of the hobby weighing you down or did you expect the hobby to pay for itself? (it rarely does).

If so, sell your animals. The hobby should not be a chore. It should be something that brings you pleasure - something you look forward to doing. The last thing anyone needs in their life is something that they elect to do but have no passion for. Time is too precious.

Understand I am not judging you. If for whatever reason you take no joy in keeping and breeding snake, the best thing you can do is find something else to spend your time on that you enjoy doing.