altered life plans because of the hobby. For example, maybe you wanted to go into politics, become a teacher or even get into a new career but were afraid someone might out you or the past might come back to haunt you?
Yes, I gave up a promising career as an eBay store owner.
Personally for me, not at all. I'm very goal oriented and the hobby has never stopped me from reaching my goals regardless of what they are, education, mainstream career, personal, etc. To be fair, I never wanted to be a teacher or work with kids. I've had positions where my past is actually looked at as an asset and not a bad thing.
Of course, there are always those who put us down and that's fine. That says more about them than it does any of us anyway. The words of others don't define me.
With that being said, not everyone will be as fortunate as me. Others in the hobby have lost everything they love.
I continue to count my blessings...nothing is guaranteed.
I'm not as discreet with the hobby as I should be. So I know that I can't ever be in politics. However, I have made a few friends thru the hobby, and I found it to be a lifestyle choice I've made ...we all have made this choice, to some degree. It's a trade-off that I would make every time.