I'm a new modeler, having just taken up the hobby this year, due to COVID. My "trigger" was a gorgeous, elaborate model I saw in a Sushi restaurant.
I started with an extremely simple model (a $25 dory kit), and moved up gradually to more complicated endeavors. I recently finished my 4th kit which is a tugboat I decided to customize, and is from the Liman 2 kit from Turkmodel. (I posted pictures of it here). I'm currently working on the Essex kit from Occre.
I enjoy ship modelling, and I'm not quitting because:
1. I decided at the start to respect the craft, and assumed that learning it would take a long time.
2. I did a lot of research. I watched a lot of videos, both on YouTube, and on a DVD set I ordered from Modelers Central.
3. I assumed I would make mistakes, and assumed my early attempts would look pretty bad. The goal of those early attempts was to learn, not to make a fine, finished product (although they actually look better than I thought they would).
4. I decided before starting that I would not get upset if I made a mistake, and to treat mistakes as learning opportunities.
5. I bought a lot of tools; many turned out to be of no use, but some have made all the difference in the world (glue syringe! rigging wax! forceps!).