I will be entering college this September, and as much as I like anime and manga, I don't want to be an otaku anymore. It is not like I don't enjoy them--of course I do, but I don't want to be known as a nerd anymore, and being a freshman in college, starting anew, will give me the opportunity.
It will be too painful if I just throw away/give away my collection at once, so I want to do it slowly. I don't know how I am going to manage doing that though... it seems like such a waste!
Anyway, I hope you guys can shed some light and opinion into how I can do it in a less painful manner. There is only a month more before I head to college, so I should start doing it now!
give it to your ota-friends.
Sell them!
I liked to read some manga but when I found that I could buy a plane ticket and 4 days abroad by selling one serie (got back 300% that I spent on it) I did at once. And so I did with some others.
You can have money, and you can be sure someone else will enjoy and appreciate them.
well, dude, it's not like you're gonna be able to transport all your otaku crap with you to college right? People won't be able to know for the first three months or so, and then you'll discover the local otaku-joint and you'll quickly realize that using college as an excuse to remodel your personality yourself was a silly idea. Or not.
It's not easy removing something completely from your lifestyle. If you make too rapid of a change, you'll just end up going back to it at some stage.
Your best solution is to find yourself something else to do with your time*. If you get more interested in the said activity, your time spare to be a nerd is reduced.
*This can be anything from stealing cars through to collecting stamps.
ebay your stuff
You can't not stop being an Otaku...it is an integral part of you. You can't decide whether or not you are an Otaku...you just wake up one day and relize you are...and there is nothing you can do about it...one of us...one of us...
javascript:insert('>>7',1185159878)
7 agree
Trust me, don't give yours stuff away. No matter what you tell yourself, you can never change. I sold a bunch of my comics, action figures etc. and 10 years later I realized that I was still a nerd and I regretted parting with my junk.
Send it all to me. I'll find a way to deal with it all.
i don't think you should sell them, you'll regret it someday...
just try to seal them in a box an put it on your attic (if you have them). And in the future you'll still have valuable treasures.
It's part of your self... don throw them away... it'll be much more painfull
>>10 here again… can anyone recommend some hobbies that involve both being social and being creative? Something like being in a band, or something...
Hmm why dont you try some kind of club.
If you care about what everyone says, you'll be worse than a dog. If people make fun of you, you know what? They're too damn insecure and weak-minded to do anything asides from abusing alcohol and shooting up cocaine through their ass. Do you even know what those guys are doing? For all that I know, they're still working some lame ass grunt job trying to find another hooch to fuck and add to their dick.
Look, the only thing I know is that College will be a tad bit like high school, only thing, the very immature ones will be fucked with. And you will find a lot of people interested in what you like than in High School. People in college are either a lot more confident or a lot more insecure, and if you want to live, BE FUCKING SECURE DAMN IT.
Don't EVER, I mean EVER, fucking deny yourself. Again, the fuckers who mock you are going to be eating a lot of shit in their life. You have what it takes to be a man. Now go and fucking be one, DAMN IT!
what he said!!
you'll find people that are like you!!!
if you hate yourself so much for being a nerd or an otaku
& ya don't mind staying in hell for an eternity,
i'll suggest you'll just go suicidal and maybe, just maybe for all i'll care, go bomb up your nearest local authoritive building.....
this is just a suggestion cos its your life to live, even if you're the nobody of this #$%$ing world, you are still the main man, lead man & the #&^damn hero of yer story. it ain't be anybody else, so don't ya care a #$%^&**( about whats other gonna say about you.
xD, i am an Otaku and a Hikky xD
Time to mee to say goodbye soon..........
If you do sell everything, do what i did take copys of it all first then you wont be as sad that you lost it all. btw DO sell it, i got almost 3500 pounds for all my stuff two years ago. I still have most that money, its a real useful backup through UNI and will help a LOT when you leave.
<--- Otaku, Hentai, Lolicon...
my friend knows everything and tell me too stop it...
i said the hell with it...
as long i don't hurt anybody feeling is fine...(well my parents don't know about this)
what the hell is wrong with you.
college is filled with otaku; there's not a damned thing wrong about being one. Be the man you are and don't give a flying fuck what others think. Each time you worry about the opinions of others, the smaller you get. Raise your self-confidence man.
yeah, college is really different from high school, since there will be a lot more people like you there. Most of the people who made fun of you are probably doing stupid things and are no where near a college. This may sound cliche, but just be yourself and people will like you. ^_^
>>19
This is the internet. You can say "fuck" here. Also, if you self-censored "God" then please just go away.
On topic, changing for anyone other than yourself (or maybe your job if it's COMPLETELY necessary) is a bad idea. Going against what and who you are is never a good thing, and doing it just for the possibility to fit in somewhere is rediculous.
Just go hang out or talk with other otaku. It's college, there's sure to be a fair few.
>>1
You need to make a clean break. Give me all your anime DVDs, figures and cosplays. I will sell them on eBay. When you realize you need to be the real you, I will sell what is left back to you.
> Also, if you self-censored "God" then please just go away.
Maybe he's Jewish.
Drink and do drugs. It'll make you cool.
Hah, I'm kidding. Don't do that.
(But it will make you cool.)
what #28 said only dont do the drugs...
Just slow down. There's really no need to stop. If you're worried about what people will think of you for liking it then you have bigger problems.
Otaku is cool!
So just stfu @ OP!
Or do you want to turn into a street-gangster, drug-dealer?!
ship to me your hobby kits and collections, that's a good start
Sell you stuff cause you will need to pay for school books. Some of them can be as high as $200-300 each. Then you really get into it and transform into a nerd and then make so much $$$ that you can go back and read manga.
Gimme all your anime/video games/manga/random otaku shiz.
And then good luck with forcing yourself to be "normal"
You know this otaku stuff is going to make us big bucks some day.
You can not stop being an Otaku by getting rid of material evidence that you are one! It's in your head. You'll see a DVD with that show you've been wanting to buy and as long as you'll have to fight to keep you wallet in the pocket and search for excuses to buy it and fight in your head against buying it - that's how long you will be an Otaku.
>>36
It's cartoons, not heroin.
Most otakus won't watch cartoons.
>>39
You've just discovered why you can't join greater society.
>>37
You are obviously not an otaku, lol :)
>>38 >>39 Anime, at least the shows I watched, are very different compared to western cartoons. It's only the fact that it is animated that anime shares with cartoons. Many anime shows are not appropriate for people younger than 15 (like Akira), and you can't quite appreciate a show like Cowboy Bebop until you're over 20. The same goes for Grave of the Fireflies. Porco Rosso is a classic example of an adult oriented theme presented in animated form. Whisper of the Heart (http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/mimi/) is another good example of what separates anime from cartoons.
>>40 Not true, I am quite involved within my society. Many otaku are introverts - so don't blame it on anime if we are not exactly as outgoing and "friendly" as extroverts are. It takes A LOT of training and studying to break from being an introvert and doing nothing about it. Learning to deal with other people and learning about the art of smalltalk and sacrificing your own wellbeing for the sake of others is difficult because we introverts enjoy solitude for long stretches of time. It's not uncommon for me to go without company for over a week, though it is harder to have this luxury the older I get. Anime was THE MAJOR reason I managed to become more outgoing and friendly. Because of ideas I got from anime I managed to even find the courage to date and try for a relationship. Anime actually saved me instead of ruining me :)
>>41
I'll be more clear:
Your winded diatribe reveals a crucial difficulty 'otaku' might have fitting in to society.
> It's anime, not just cartoons.
In the west, anime is just cartoons. The only adult-oriented cartoons are comedy focused (excluding Heavy Metal). Anime is synonymous with Pokemon. And that's it. The mature themes don't matter, and arguing with someone about it will only make an 'otaku' look 'weird' when they're already struggling to fit in.
This has nothing to do with introversion.
>>42 "...and arguing with someone about it will only make an 'otaku' look 'weird' when they're already struggling to fit in."
That's why at least I don't discuss it with anybody - because I don't know any other anime otaku in person. But I do happen to know two star trek otakus - trekies :D Granted I rather talk about trek with them.
>> "This has nothing to do with introversion."
O RLY?! <insert owl here> So tell me, how come 4-ch.net is jam packed full of introverted loners asking for help, advice and some support? Ever been to deviantart.com? Massive load of introvert loner otaku teens searching for like minded people there.
Give your shit to me plz
You must still be in the High School mentality of things. When I was in college, I didn't change a thing about myself and I haven't been called a nerd by anyone other than my closest friends, and even then they would rather insult my mother.(playin' the Dozens n such.) Hell, I don't even hide my model figures, posters and art books; anyone who looks into my room can see them. It hasn't made it any harder to meet people than it would have if I had Scarface posters and beer cans taking their place.
When you get into college, for the most part, people couldn't give a rats ass as to what your interests are, just so long as you make sure that there is more to you than being an otaku. No one likes a one-note otaku anymore than they would like a one-note jock. Besides, last thing you wanna be is an annoying stereotype, right?
Giving away/selling/burning all the crap related to your closest of interests? That sounds like the dumbing freakin' idea I've ever heard. There's no reason to do that unless a law is passed making the holding of any object a executable offense. However, if you are dead set on the idea, give me a link to the ebay auction page when you set it up.
More than 90% of anime is produced for CHILDREN.
Sure, but we don't have to watch that 90%. :-)
But if 90% of anime is for children, it's expected 90% of people will say all anime is for children.
The idea then follows an anime fan is a manchild.
Since this will be true for at least a few, it unfortunately reinforces the stereotype.
Cool, so follow the stereotype. Doesn't mean the rest of us have to. :-)
He'll be labeled a manchild if he acts like such. I'm also a fan, and never experienced any problems with that, although I met many people who did. And the difference was the behavior - don't act like an idiot and you won't be seen as such.
As for those who think they're living in an anime and so on, well, screw 'em. Those really are some dumb ones.
Having an interest in anime and the like does not make one a nerd. It's a complete submersion in anime that makes one a nerd. I see no problem in this dude saying he doesn't want to be a nerd. But it would be a shame if he gave up something he was really interested in just to "fit in". I think what he has to do is look at his collection and separate the "like" from the "obsession".
And nerds are nerds because they have trouble socializing outside of their niche, not simply because they like nerdy or odd things. I understand that this fellow no longer wants to be defined by this hobby. There's nothing wrong with that. There is something wrong with never having any interests outside of the things you liked as a kid.
>>55 speaks truth, especially the part about being 'defined' by your interests.
I can honestly say that, beyond the people actually involved in the hobby, I've never had a single positive reaction to anime or manga, regardless of the subject matter.
I do not consider myself to be an extreme otaku or a 'manchild', but of course that may just be denial. My hobby is a very solitary thing; it's not like I broadcast on all open frequencies, "I'm an otaku, hear me roar!"
Whenever the subject matter has cropped up, say for example in conversation, the responses vary from mild 'harmless' derision to outright scorn. I'm labelled and categorised immediately. I don't hate the people doing this, because I understand how it must appear to them, but it's still a hurtful experience.
Either suck it up, or give it up. And either way, you're not going to be happy.
So you can put most of your collection in boxes, and put them in your parents' garage. That's what I did with my stuff. It's still there. Most of it has probably melted in the garage, but it's not a big tragedy. I've grown up, and got an apartment full of other stuff now.
As for ways to branch out, I have two words: dance lessons. There's no shortage of genres: ballroom, swing, salsa, hip-hop, square, contra, Morris, etc. In many of these, you rotate through random partners all night, so it's a little like speed dating, without the awkward conversation. It also allows you to get used to introducing yourself to women, and touching them without losing making a big deal out of it. Not that it'll get you dates; you still need other social skills to make that happen. But it's a good way to round yourself out.
just put your nerd stuff away in a box, for the sake of nostalgia in about 20yrs.
You can get away with watching/reading some anime/manga and not be an otaku or nerdy as long as you have plenty of non-nerdy/otakuish hobbies, interests etc. The important thing is that nerdy, otaku things must not be a large part of people's perception of you.
dont worry so much about people opinions!
But it is good to have multiple interests, too
it'll make life more interesting as well
well find something that will make you less of a nerd like an instrument or sport. selling your collection to buy an instrument and pay for lessons is what i recommend, hell start a band and youll get recognition as a musician and not a nerd. dress casually and comfortably. go for a haircut salon or something and ask the attendant who is cutting your hair what would you make you seem like a nice gentlemen or something and get it. find several other things you can do.
You do realize that on college campuses, there is a critical mass of everyone? Including otakus? Seriously, if you're not worried about being Everyone's Favorite Person Ever (which you can't be anyway, so don't try) then understand that you will find other people like you there, people who share your interests. It might be a good thing not to bring 40 boxes of anime merchandise with you to college, because that won't fit in a dorm room, but there will be people who are like you.
haven't densha taught you enuff? man, you better watch it again to grasp the message.. be yourself
You don't need to give up anime/manga/whatever just because you're going to school. Just don't bring it with you or you'll look like a retard.
>>1 I thought of doing the same as well but I was shocked when half of my Creative Writing class were anime fans. I attributed this to how us nerdy folk seem to last longer in school so their is a higher percentage of anime fans in college.
I've decided to keep embracing my hobby while at the same time making sure to branch out into other activities. I'd suggest you do the same. There should be lots of clubs and activities available to you that you should try out.
Also, don't bring your entire collection since it might get stolen. Just a couple of your favorite series.
Irony is bragging about being good at school in the same sentence as a horrific spelling error.
I see a lot of people suggesting picking up a new hobby. That works, because if you take away anime, and don't have anything to replace it, then you're just sitting around miserable all the time.
Might I suggest watching pornography? It's an amusing hobby, reasonably inexpensive and encourages masturbation which 9 out of 10 doctors agree is a requirement for a healthy life.
>>69 except the masturbation turns to an addiction
>>70 is mormon.
Rent these movies:
American Gangster
How High
Gone in 60 seconds
Swordfish
Cradle 2 da Grave
Lord of War
Sin City
Smokin Aces
Listen to these artists:
Lil Wayne
50 cent
Lloyd Banks
Eminem
Earth, Wind and Fire
And try things out ie. start a random fight or two
Also: do cool hobbies (ie. Breakdancing), weightlifting (cause your still a geek if all you can bench is the bar), and some gangster shit.
Throw around slang, see what fits you.
Now, I do not encourage saying anything that is used as a racist term. Also, be very careful about throwing up gang symbols. These are rules for being a fake "gangster", because if you do not have it in you, then dont try.
NOTES:
Good luck losing the nerdliness.
How sad...no otaku pride at all!!! tsk tsk!!
BE YOURSELF. Don't change because of others.
well, he could always get robbed at college for being a nerd...
you fucking fail.
Say it to my face.
The important point to this thread is, watching crime movies and listening to gangsta rap will not make you tough or cool. And if you think they'll teach you how to behave in society, then our prisons are full of people who thought the same thing.
It's not about what bits are coming out of your CD or DVD player while you're sitting on your catch, it's about getting off the couch and doing something that's worth talking about, and then talking to people about those things.
Here's some kopipe from another thread that I think asks the right question:
So what is it you're really afraid of?
Are you afraid of being an otaku because they don't get women? Or because of the kind of women they get? Are you ashamed of the friends you have?
Are you afraid of losing your position in the community, such as your family, church, school, or workplace?
Answer that question: what are you really afraid of? What is the functional definition of what's wrong with being an otaku?
watch Fight Club
cured
Fight Club is the shit...
I feel stupid for not saying so.
Fight Club: Excellent movie. Haven't read the book.
But it's also the cause of the cancer that is killing /b/, and by proxy, anonymous board culture as a whole. People think they're in Project Mayhem by posting their ex-girlfriends' phone numbers.
In fact, ever since Columbine, that "anarchy" bullshit is one of the things that makes normal people hate geeks.
be a stylish otaku! that'll be cool...
agree with that. being an otaku doesn't mean u cant do everything non-otaku did,right?
I would keep the anime and manga. I wouldn't be able to throw that away. You know, there are girls that like anime too. Don't bring the busty stuff. Tell an anime-girl you want to watch "Fruits Basket".
First, if you wear glasses, get contacts. Some people look good in glasses, most people don't. Also, pick a sport and stick with it. The extra time out in fresh air will earn bonus points with girls- nothing turns a girl OFF like the smell of a guy who spent 3 days in his dorm room.
That's all I can think of.
you were never otaku
>Some people look good in glasses, most people don't.
Nah...it's more about taking the time to picking the pair of glasses that suits you the best. And...don't focus way too much on the visual appearance, being relaxed and having a good sense of humor is more important, MUCH more important.
hmm I am thinking seriously about showering now before class...
Don't give your stuff away!!
People don't need to know you like anime and manga, and it's not like you're not able to do normal things too.
Plus on a campus, there are so many different people, it's unbelievable.
I'm applying to Uni this year, and one of my prospect ones has a MAGIC club O_o. Come on, compared to that, anime and manga is not bad.
Don't do something you don't want to do just to suit someone else. That sucks, majorly.
Oh, and I checked. The magic club I mentioned, it isn't talking about card tricks. It's talking about summoning fire style magic.
0_o
well, you collect stuffs,
err, i think you should just keep them and store it somewhere and keep it as a good memories.
Well,if you think you a nerd just because you are an otaku, why don't you just start having a makeover or a change of heart and still being a ...like a cooool otaku.
that will possible lol.
@ 93 xD lol fire style magic? xD ahahahah.... ^^ @85 yup i think that too :3
>>93 so it's a real magic club, rather than an illusionist club calling itself one?
There is no escape from being an Otaku. You either are one or your not, and since you are you will be one forever. You may end up restraining yourself for a while but it will only burst out a hundred times stronger in the future.
Give me all your anime treasures. :3 I'll be the Otaku for you. :3
I guess >>97 is kinda right. You can't just stop being or hiding who you really are. Doesn't really matter what people may think about you.
Some people like Otaku, some people don't - it's the way of the world. Honestly, I think Otas are cool. :)
Never give away what you can make back some of the money on.
Why this "be yourself" thing? You can be an otaku and just don't talk about it. People will never know, you won't be embarassed and you still can enjoy otaku stuff. So, what's the deal?
Then stop.
If you like anime, then keep liking it. Depending on the college, there may be plenty of otaku there as well, since it's usually easy to establish things like "Japanese Culture Club" where other otaku will go to. Also, Japanese classes likely have otaku.
He's an otaku, he's not necessarily gay. People can and do grow out of some things in life, you know.
As long as people label themselves and others, people will use the labels to deride others. I'm not an anything, I just have some likes and dislikes.
i also don't want to be one anymore. but then i think atleast i have anime and stuff.
What? Just be yourself. Who cares what the world thinks, you found what makes you happy why throw it away?
no otaku pride, what a shame :/
>>1
just its easy way that you should find otaku girl.
I think you should not deny it.
Maybe girls will not like it but they're just assholes.
Real girls will love you with most of your defects and virtudes.
Who cares what other people think I am treated normally and I am into D&D, manga, anime, and lots more nerdy things. If some one calls me a nerd I say yeah I am. So if you really like it don't just quit it if some one bugs you about it.
If you really want to give it up, then good for you, but you could always be a closet otaku like me haha. I don't reference stuff or anything like that, but I do keep up with all my favorite animes and gaming. Its not so wrong to be an otaku, really there isn't!
Its not like I want to stop you, but it might be easier if you forge your own stories, create your own momentos, or simply immerse yourself in your own real life. I try to stop relying on anime for what I lack in real life, but hey its hard. Good luck.
the answer, from experience is to keep both...
the only reason why making friends can be hard is, you got nothing to talk about with the new people...anime and manga is a small catagory in society and life...
for me, u need to know everyday thingys, such as sports, tv series/ drama - even Heroes is good, everyone knows this series (not anime)off the tv, make plans with friends, when u have there number, msn, bebo, myspace like going to the cinema or going out on fri-sat for drinks...
and doing your own stuff so u can talk about yourself...like driving lessons, college, work, gym and jus say u had a quiet day and sat on the comp for hours lookin at porn or anime, and talkin on the internet..simple and solved, any questions?
>>115 THIS THIS THIS THIS. I'm a nerd too, but who the fuck cares. I am what i am, and i LOVE what i am. Your problem will always be a problem because you care what people think. If it's not this, it will be that. Repeat after me. "F-U-C-K T-H-E-M".
Where's your Otaku pride, man?
PSSST...Give all your stuff to me.
You need to decide for yourself. You should try to find a healthy balance between not losing yourself and your needs completely and trying not to be too repulsive with your "otaku-ness" towards others.
I'm sure no one has any problem with someone who's a fan of Anime, however you should also try adapt a little to the needs of others.
Balance is the keyword here. ^^
There's nothing wrong with being yourself and having your interests. People are enthusiasts of various things, and most enthusiasts advertise what they're enthusiasts of, it's only natural, and can help you meet fellow enthusiasts.
If your IRL area is devoid of your sort of enthusiast, well fuck it, at least you have the internet.
>>1
don't change to conform for the assholes around you.
do what i did, people made fun of me, but one day i just said fuck it all and stopped caring. so repeat this: "FUCK EVERYONE ELSE, I'LL DO WHAT I DAMN WELL PLEASE" until it sticks.
If watching anime and stuff is cutting down on your time to do things you probably should be doing(such as passing your classes and going outside every once in a while), then just cut down on that sort of thing. Putting an hour or so aside for your hobbies won't kill you. It's all about moderation. You could also read manga in the bathroom while you poop.:B
By the way, chicks dig nerds. I know this from experience. As long as you're not an ass about your hobbies, as in singing OPs and EDs loudly despite not knowing a single word of Japanese, people are generally cool with that kind of thing. Also, be tolerant. If someone tells you "You watch anime? That's like DBZ and Pokemon and cartoon tentacle porn right?", don't turn into an elitist bastard. Just politely correct them, or joke along with them. For one friend of mine, I replied "Oh, definitely. But you're forgetting the little girls that swing meat cleavers around and mecha that can stand on galaxies defying all laws of physics, gravity, etc. It's great."; worked out well enough. Even got him intrigued on the mecha thing.
where is the 1'st Anonymous Enthusiast? it's hard to find his post if all reply using the same name. Use other name, nothing to lose. it's easy to do, and easy to read next time.
if you don't want to be otaku just because university, YOU'RE WRONG. that is false motivation. You will soon find people who like anime and manga there. It's fine if you could lower your otaku level, live as normal people with anime, manga, game as hobby.
Do learn from Rozen Aso (google him, this news maybe not popular outside japan), he likes manga very much, goes to university and what he become now? maybe he can be your idol.
If you're really otaku, it's part of you. Love it, live it.
BUT... I'm about 10 years out of high school now, and my otakudom recently crashed. Most of my favorite anime fluff is about high school kids and I just can't relate to it now - it's no fun.
So what I'm saying is, if you can still be an otaku, enjoy it, but don't build your life around it or count on it staying around long-term. I still enjoy some anime (Last Exile right now,) but it's far more limited now, and hardly meaningful in everyday life as much as I did love it. Now I'm wishing I made more friends instead of watching so much anime - school's great for that.
if you are an otaku remain an otaku!, but a socially capable otaku, which means no otaku at all!
that is, if you like those nerdy series, well, don't stop watching them, just develop your social skills so you can hang out with people without lecturing them about the wonders of some star wars technology or the perils of some lord of the ring-esque character,
have two friend circles: one of nerdy girlfriendless otakus, so you can engage in endless discussions about some utterly insignificant detail of an anime series, and another of every day people where you can meet opposite sex individuals
be proud of your otaku~
>>126
The otaku who can come to this forum and say "I am an otaku" is not the true otaku.
>>126
we all wish too do it like this. but easy spoken, hard done.
lost generation.. 助けて・・お願い・・ (ノ。б、)
>>126
exactlly, you can still like anime, manga and stuff, just have to socialise a bit more and create new priorities.
make a blog
this sounds like a fun story of ur everyday life lol
>137
[post from 2007]
plane otaku
Being otaku is bliss
Cmon dude it is not that bad.
I wonder if >>1 ever succeeded in becoming normal.
being otaku is not bad at all....
I dunno, suddenly anime just became really really boring to watch
this is cool. I am rex and I enjoy noodles and robot figures from japan.
>>145
Anime has always been boring. It's the same ~15 stories retold and retold because Japanese hate change and anime is made by retarded hikikomori otaku rather than artists and people with life experience.
>It's the same ~15 stories retold and retold
That pretty much applies to all fiction though.
Man, what a ride. It's hard to believe that lame-ass threads like these were a commonality just 11 years ago.
I kinda feel like an archaeologist going to dead places like this. pretty neat that we can still post here.
That's always been one of my favorite things about browsing text BBS's since I started in 2010. I would be happy to see textboards make a comeback and become a little more active, instead of one or two posts a month though.
>I don’t wanna be an otaku anymore
I went through that phase then I realized I’m too dysfunctional to exist normal society thanks to all the anime rotting my brain
>>156
I use this place pretty often just threaten your friends and family into using it too
>>157
Who the fuck wants their family visiting the same boards that they do? Are you actually retarded or something?
>It will be too painful if I just throw away/give away my collection at once, so I want to do it slowly. I don't know how I am going to manage doing that though... it seems like such a waste!
I don't understand why anybody would do this. If you want to be seen as normal, just do a mixture of activities instead of being fixated on one.
