Cosplay is one of the greatest hobbies out there. It gives you a chance to get creative and meet other fans of your favorite series. But whether you’re crafting your next costume or socializing at a convention, cosplay comes with different problems, some easier to avoid than others depending on skill level.

1. Budgeting

Cosplay on a budget is more common in the community than you think. But what happens when you go over?

2. Trying to find reference pictures

Unless you're cosplaying a popular character, finding a good reference is hard. Pictures might be inconsistent with multiple variations of the same outfit. But nothing is worse than your innocent Google search leading you to accidentally stumble upon several pages of porn. Gross!

3. Wig buying

While wigs can be found at reasonable prices, you can still be in for a surprise when your package is delivered (after the convention). Make sure to research the seller and order at least a few months in advance.

4. Looking for simple pieces

This is more of a struggle for closet cosplayers, but it shouldn't be that hard to find a solid red jacket or purple skirt—seriously. eBay, Amazon—you had one job.

5. Too much fabric

And it's not even the type you're looking for. Or the right color.

6. Hot glue burns

Just a little bit mo-OH GOD IT BURNS! But honestly, after the first three injuries, it doesn't even faze you anymore.

7. Wanting to do a certain cosplay

Except that it's way out of your budget and/or skill range.

8. Parents and non-nerdy friends judging you

"IT'S MY LIFE, MOM!" But seriously, we're allowed to have hobbies, and we have a right to do what makes us happy (so long as we're not hurting ourselves or others).

9. Wanting to do a certain cosplay v.2

Only for people to give you crap for not being the right height/weight/gender/whatever. What part of "cosplay whoever you want" do you not understand?

10. Having nobody to cosplay with

If it's not your lack of cosplayer friends, it's that your friends aren't into the same series as you. Either way, it sucks not being able to do group cosplays.

11. WEATHER

Whether you're dressed as Yoko for a winter convention or wearing a fursuit to a summer convention, Mother Nature is not your friend. Good luck at your photo shoot.

12. Putting on wigs

If only it could be as easy as it looks in the GIF above (seriously? not even a wig cap?). It's even harder for people with long hair—there's always going to be that bump on the back of your head.

13. Interacting with non-convention-goers

Yes, it's a costume. Now please stop staring. Traveling back and forth between the convention shouldn't be this awkward, but at least some people are nice.

14. Wardrobe malfunction

You spent weeks working on your cosplay, only for it to fall apart on the convention floor. It was secure when I finished and tried it on at home!

15. Not finding any photos after the convention

You stopped for a good five minutes in the dealer's room while several photographers snapped photos of you, but now those photos are nowhere to be seen. What happened to them? Makes you wonder.