#whydoicosplay

I get asked many times a year why I stay in this hobby. Well, in answering that there are a few slightly personal points I would like to make.

I love to be challenged. Whenever I'm looking for a new costume to make I love to find something I've never tried or a design that forces me to learn something new. This simple fact keeps me interested and constantly feeling like the money, stress, and physical injury are fully worth it.

Now I may not compete as much as I used to but the masquerade is not the end all be all of my cosplaying experience. On the other hand I would be lying if I told you competing didn't give me a thrill as it pushed me to get better shaping the costumer I am today. 

Also there is something to be said about the amazing friends I've found in this hobby. They motivate me, help me, and support me to grow in my craft and become an even better cosplayer every year. We share our tips and tricks, hope and dreams for no other reason then to help current friends and friends we haven't even met yet to grow and learn. 

 When I see the progress of very first year cosplayer as they grow and learn new techniques they also motivate me to try harder and share more of my knowledge. One of the main reasons I love judging masquerades is that I get to see new generations of cosplayers super excited to learn and grown in the hobby causing me to fall in love with cosplay all over again.