leaving for a very long time.

[Christian1863]

this is my first post in about a year now and if your wondering why its because I lost interest in reenacting and the civil war mainly due to people (mainly online) telling me my impression sucks which it does (Probably) and also due to me not being able to react I was 13 at the time now I'm 14 but I doubt anyone will let me on the battlefield. and I also have almost 0 dollars to keep up with reenacting. and I'm way to busy with Dr appointments and a lot of other things. so think of this post as a good bye for awhile. thanks to everyone for helping me out. -Christian.

 

[Salterr]

this is my first post in about a year now and if your wondering why its because I lost interest in reenacting and the civil war mainly due to people (mainly online) telling me my impression sucks which it does (Probably) and also due to me not being able to react I was 13 at the time now I'm 14 but I doubt anyone will let me on the battlefield. and I also have almost 0 dollars to keep up with reenacting. and I'm way to busy with Dr appointments and a lot of other things. so think of this post as a good bye for awhile. thanks to everyone for helping me out. -Christian.

I'm sorry to hear re-enacting hasn't worked out. If you ever decide to come back, we'll be here to help. Good luck with everything

 

[JackADriscoll]

Don't listen to people on the Internet. It's not a real place. If you love the hobby don't quit because some chump who is worthless and meaningless wants to put you down. Go out and live what you love.

 

[Tony Z]

this is my first post in about a year now and if your wondering why its because I lost interest in reenacting and the civil war mainly due to people (mainly online) telling me my impression sucks which it does (Probably) and also due to me not being able to react I was 13 at the time now I'm 14 but I doubt anyone will let me on the battlefield. and I also have almost 0 dollars to keep up with reenacting. and I'm way to busy with Dr appointments and a lot of other things. so think of this post as a good bye for awhile. thanks to everyone for helping me out. -Christian.

You're a pup! Many things will come and go in your life, with many returning later on. Relax and enjoy your youth, as soon you'll be turning 72 as I will be in a few weeks. I remember very well being your age and how many experiences came and went.

 

[captaindrew]

Well I hope you don't think the reenacting hobby is what you find on Facebook because it's not. I'm assuming that's where you got a hard time because I know it didn't happen here. My best advice I could give anyone is stay out of that cesspool. Good groups support and help eachother and remember we all were beginners once. Please don't give what happens on the internet a bad taste.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Listen - no decent human being would tell a 13 year old that his impression ¨sucks.¨ That´s mean, selfish and inappropriate. Shake the dust off your feet and carry on. Leave the facebook warriors alone and lurk here a while. You´re still young, a couple years from musket-toting age. Give yourself some time and grace. When I was 13, I was wearing paper felt hats and the uniform sewn from the Simplicity pattern. That all changed by the time I was 17. Read and research some more; that costs next to nothing. Go to a local living history and make contact with a local unit who will mentor you. I did and made lifelong friends. Ask us any question here.

 

[52ndFandS]

Well I hope you don't think the reenacting hobby is what you find on Facebook because it's not. I'm assuming that's where you got a hard time because I know it didn't happen here. My best advice I could give anyone is stay out of that cesspool. Good groups support and help eachother and remember we all were beginners once. Please don't give what happens on the internet a bad taste.

I can't handle FB reenacting groups. Too few help you along and too many will put you down.

 

[captaindrew]

I can't handle FB reenacting groups. Too few help you along and too many will put you down.

Yup, it's absolute garbage, I refuse to get sucked into it.

 

[Library Lady]

@christian1863 , you mention having a lot of doctor appointments. I don't know what your situation is - and it's not my business - but I hope you can get that sorted and treated. Having worked in the medical field for almost 45 years, I do know that doctor appointments usually mean a lot of waiting around. Bring a free Civil War book or PlayAway (preloaded audio) with a headset from your library. Bring your cellphone or a tablet with headphones/ear buds and listen to a free Civil War book from whatever digital service(s) your library has. Make use of that time - and have a distraction if you need it - with something you enjoy.

There are a lot of miserable people in the world - and the Internet seems to have more than its fair share - whose mission in life is to make everyone else as miserable as they are. To heck with them! I do know, easier said than done, but as @7thWisconsin says, look for the local people: Reenactor groups, living history groups, a Civil War Round Table, a local museum, a teacher, a librarian. You're more likely to find friendly, helpful people face-to-face. And please do keep lurking here - if not posting - in the forums you find most useful.

 

[Ethan S.]

It takes time bud. I was in the same boat as you for a while. But then I started working, made some money, and bought stuff a bit at a time. It sucks to wait, but man, getting a job and earning a paycheck makes things so much better.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

I would imagine it's difficult for anyone to do reenacting at age 13, regardless of talent, simply due to the logistics involved.

Interest in the American Civil War doesn't need to be limited to reenacting. Keep reading about the subject and learning.

 

[Pat Answer]

Just wanted to add my voice to the choir: many of us who remember the world before the internet know that it can be a great tool but also, unfortunately, a toxic septic tank because of people, who can be great or toxic.

As I tell my own sons who are just entering adulthood, never let people you don't know personally talk you out of doing and being you. And sometimes, don't even let friends and family do that…
You may find many reasons for interest in history to wane a bit in the next few years anyway because that is how life works sometimes. That's alright. Just don't let it be because of some jerks.

All the best, young sir.

 

[MRB1863]

All best wishes to you! Be safe, be strong and be who you are!

 

[JOHN42768]

A lot of young people your age don't even known anything about the civil War or other important events throughout History. Even if you decide not to participate in reacting events at this time in your young life don't let your interest be swayed by social media. Spend the time reading and learning. Nothing says you can't go back in the many years you have ahead.

 

[dlofting]

I don't reenact. In fact anything I know about the hobby I've learned here. I can tell you though that any of the reenactors here will help you out as much as they can, provide encouragement and advice. No one will ever say that your impression sucks.

Stick around, you've got friends here.

 

[bankerpapaw]

Don't listen to people on the Internet. It's not a real place. If you love the hobby don't quit because some chump who is worthless and meaningless wants to put you down. Go out and live what you love.

BINGO!!!

 

[TnFed]

You're a pup! Many things will come and go in your life, with many returning later on. Relax and enjoy your youth, as soon you'll be turning 72 as I will be in a few weeks. I remember very well being your age and how many experiences came and went.

So true...I turn 72 on Monday, seems like a month ago I was 14...sometimes.

Other times a lifetime

 

[52ndFandS]

Yup, it's absolute garbage, I refuse to get sucked into it.

My wife lives it. I mean I'm not going to lie there are a few people in my business life I use it to speak to. But nothing as irritating as a know it all.

Who isn't me.

 

[SgtTB]

Ahhhh to be 14 again....

Don't worry about things young man, you have a good guiding star to be into this hobby/interest to begin with. Good luck!

 

[Cavalier]

At 14 I would think you're a lot closer in age than most reenactors to what the actual civil war soldiers would have been. I bet you could find quite a few kids that age in the ranks during the Civil War.

Stick with it pal, and I wish you the best of luck in your efforts!

John