Hi Guys,
I am back. For awhile I have lost interest in magic. Is this normal? Do Other people also feel that way?

Yes happens to most of us sometimes, sometimes we just need a little break which is ok

It depends. If you don't perform for others regularly and you are just learning new effects and sleights for yourself then sure you can lose interest. I perform regularly every week for new people and many regulars so it's fun for me plus for the regulars I have to always come up with new material. It's a constant learning experience. Coming up on 14 years performing in restaurants and I still get excited. Are there days when I feel like just staying home? YES! But once I get to the gig the excitement kicks in.

I have loved it from the start 45 years ago.

Yup! I saw my first magician in 1938, and have NEVER lost interest. I was an amateur for a few years, and, at 13 I became (I didn't realize that for awhile!)a part time professional. In my mid 30s I "went" full time pro. I retired in 2008, at 76. I still do a few shows.

In my six years involved, I have never lost interest, but is has skyrocketed to a new level! I have many people to thank for this, but at the top of the list is the guy above me, Dick Oslund!

Hi Pete
In my case it really isn't a matter of "losing interest." It was more like other stuff kept making itself a priority. That said, I never lost the love of magic, in particular watching others perform, reading etc, just cant always find the time to learn the newest esoteric "tricks" that seem to be a rehash of the older...

It happens.
I started my magic interest about 50 years ago.
After my children started being born, my priorities changed and I gave it up.
Now the kids are all married and I'm retired.
Back in the saddle again.

I just re-read this thread from the beginning. I inadvertently missed Ollie's post!

Ollie! How can you make a statement like that???????? Have you conducted a national poll????????

I STRONGLY QUESTION YOUR STATEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This thread was started several weeks ago, and, look how few have even bothered to post a comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SEVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh thank god! We were wondering where you went...



Things stopped being "normal" here a loooooong time ago!



I could never lose interet in magic. It is an important art form that deserv.... OH LOOK A BUNNY!!!

If you find you lost interest in magic, try to find the original intent.
I "got back" many times.

I was making a general statement, from past conversations with magicians other people have felt the same, even happens to pros sometimes.

I know you are a pro Dick and I love your advice, I am no professional, but from what I have heard it has happened to many people, sorry for any misunderstanding.

Hello Pete1959W,

To tell you my personal experience
I've been studying magic for about 2.5 years (I know not a lot),
I've been almost always excited about learning more and more.

There were times I lost interest and told myself what the hell am I doing!
I figured out why (for me).. it was mainly because the magic I was learning made no sense!

It had no reason.. for example: (pick a card, and I'll find a card in some way)
I always asked myself why! Why would I make him pick a card and I'll find it, what's magical about that!

That's when I discovered what magic is about.. it's not about methods, tricks (although having a solid trick and method is for sure a helpful thing)

The most important part in my opinion.. is to have a story.. a presentation.. a reason.. even if it was a silly one.. as long as you have a story to tell.. a reason as to why you're doing what you're doing!
You'll keep finding what you're doing to be magical and your spectators will notice that as well!

For example, if you're familiar with "Triumph"
Instead of saying "Pick a card, and I'll shuffle the cards in this weird way.. then I'll find your card to be the only face up card in a face down pack"

You can say "Last time I was doing a card trick for my friends/in this bar/ and I really wanted to impress this girl/guy so I wanted to do my favorite card trick, so I let him pick a card.. but there was this drunk guy who kept taking the cards out of my hands and shuffled them in this weird way! I didn't know what to do, then I figured out if I am a magician I can still find the card in a snap of fingers *snaps* *reveals*

Sorry for taking this long! but you see the difference? your audience will.
Give your tricks a reason, and you won't feel you're doing this for nothing.. you'll always have a reason!

Don't give up on your magic!

Good luck

~Sari