Why do people retire?

[EvilMuffins]

For me, it's pretty clear that my life situation is never going to change, so I have unlimited time to customise. I just do it for fun anyway; I've never sold a single one, so I'm not concerned about the money. I'd only quit if I got bored of it or ran out of ideas.

[EmberBright]

I can see people getting burned out, especially if you're trying to turn out a lot of ponies for sale or commissions (nothing wrong with those things, of course- I just find I get tired of them faster than personal projects). Or just losing interest/moving on to other interests or hobbies. I've done it with lots of things. I made cards for a while, made terrariums, made sock monsters, one after the other. I've been doing ponies for longer than any of those, and I think I've finally found the perfect creative outlet for me, but I understand how it could happen!

People's lives change, too. Ponies aren't the cheapest hobby, unless you're selling (I'm always happy when my hobby can pay for itself), and financial situations change. New family members, living in a new place, a job that takes more of your time... I can see any of those leading to setting ponies aside for a while, if not forever.

[JoshsPonyPrincess]

For me it would be several factors. Lack of inspiration, wanting to move in a new direction with my art, and work and family things. I own my own business and in the summer is when I get busiest so it cuts down my customizing time big time (cause I may be on the road til 9 pm). Also I tend to get burned out on commissions where i have no freedom (not saying I don't enjoy them- I do enjoying creating what other people see in their minds eye) but as commissions pile on and I have no creative freedom I tend to feel stifled.
For me a big thing also is that I am working on my first MH custom and my first OOAK polymer sculpture and these are both more time consuming than ponies tend to be. I want art to be my bill paying business some day (hopefully sooner rather than later) but in order to make this fly I need to branch out what I do. This would allow me to sell my other business and take all my time for art (which is my love) but as it is now - I essentially work two full time jobs. If you ask my friends I am a workaholic. LOL.
Sorry to ramble on but I am actually considering taking a short break to recharge inspiration and to give me more time for my real work which is more time consuming during the summer. I'm not retiring but just plan on sitting back and relaxing and recharging for a bit.

[hannaliten]

I would imagine other people retire for the same reasons. I don't have children, but I know that would be a big factor in a lot of people's lives to chose to retire, since spending time caring for your children is way more important than plastic ponies.

This ^^

[Kanthaka]

All of the reasons mentioned and more!  Priorities change, interests shift, situations don't leave time for customizing...

I've been wondering if I should "retire," at least for a while, just because life isn't lending itself to customizing for a variety of reasons and I can't do the detail work I need to do very easily right now.  It won't happen, but I definitely understand why people choose to step away from customizing.