Why I Quit Collecting Toys/Action Figures.

[ManlyPHall-cedc]

When I was a kid I grew up on section 8, food stamps and food banks.

I never had toys. Now I collect my toys to reconnect to my lost childhood.

Now my sons are into my favorite hobbies. Scale models, Legos, warhammer and gundam.

Life is a dream.

[jamesgavin]

I’m 45, been through multiple waves of collecting and taking a break. Do what brings you peace and happiness. Good luck.

[MikeysActionFigures]

Definitely have felt every bit of emotion you have bro, sometimes I’d lay in bed and think why am I spending money on plastic that won’t come with me when I die. I have sold stuff and spent that money on experience life with family. Now I buy toys for me and my son, I collect very selectively and ensure that I prioritize my mental health first over any hobby. Thank you for posting this and being so vulnerable! Much love brother

[wardg]

I am 35 and was guilt tripped by my ex-wife and a different ex girlfriend to get rid of my collection two different times in my life. I entirely regret that. I just hope and pray that you are doing this and/or have done this for yourself and are not being manipulated by people that had happened to me in the past. MUCH LOVE BROTHER!!! 🤘🏻

[privateprivate]

I agree with the 1 toy thing. It always felt special having just some toys. Now that I have so many they begin to lose their appeal.

[ItsJGonzo]

Turning 40 and started collecting again last year. It’s all about discipline and reevaluating what you love vs like. Do what makes you happy. You don’t have to care what people think. For me the collecting addiction has kept me from drinking. It’s become too much for me but I’ve slowed down and will only buy what I love and stop with the completionist stuff.

[larryzeno]

I lost all my toys, drum set pieces etc. in the fire in 2018 and I have since collected my ass off to replace the void and reclaim those childhood memories . Now I am selling stuff. Been sober three years too… addictive personality is a real pain.I hope things turn around for you man.

[IamMCAH]

Thank u so much for sharing. Much needed in the community. Bringing awareness to metal health and how collecting affects us is so important. Wishing u the very best on ur journey.

[color]

I appreciate you being so open, this is definitely something I don't see many people talk about in the community. I'm 19 and over the past few years I've spent hundreds and likely thousands collecting figures. I've had thoughts about how that money could've been better used elsewhere helping my family or even just prioritizing necessities. I've fallen down the rabbithole of placing preorders, using pay in 4 plans to have figures even though I couldn't afford them at the moment, etc. I resonate with some of the other things you said in this video, like buying things just for the sake of the dopamine despite not even wanting the item. I've downsized my collection significantly and I want to continue to since I have more than I'm comfortable with. I also began unfollowing social media accounts about toy news and collecting since I feel like seeing them are a major trigger for me. I'm still young, but I definitely have other priorities that I should pay attention to. I really needed to hear this. Thank you and I wish you luck

[Tonydash]

Don’t prioritize toys, just enjoy them

[jokebone]

Thank you for your candor and willingness to share! I am in my mid 50s so hearing you speak that way in your early 30s, at first, had me feeling a little bad. I'm almost 25 years older than you yet I am going through another wave of collecting. You're absolutely correct, you cannot take it with you! When I pass, my loved ones will have an estate sale, what they cannot sell, they will give or throw it away. Having said that, I truly believe there is a happy middle ground where you can still collect and enjoy your collection and STILL spend time with your loved ones. I realize this video is five months old so I hope this message finds you in a much better place!

[gmcmullins]

On a second note, I think trauma does play a role, because a hobby replaces trauma but then once the hobby serves it's purpose maybe it's time to shed the skin and grow. Like a crab, the shell protects, but once it had done it's job and the crab has grown, it's time to look for a new shell. I feel like hobbies are a spiritual shell, just like how a house and a car are physical shells.

[Water_underthefridge]

Simple rules for collecting toys from a lifelong collector:

1) be real about your finances and your space. (Repeat this rule 3 times out loud)
2) collect what YOU love. Avoid hype and don’t give into FOMO
3) remember that these toy corporations are not your friends. Seek the best value. Be wise with your money.
4) have fun! If you ain’t having fun collecting toys, you’re doing it wrong!

[cesley]

I'm 51 I'm just started collecting two years ago, I never thought of this Hobbie like an addiction! Reading so many comments of people talking about this like an issue amazed me. I don't think I'm addicted, but I can see how this situation can become a problem. I wish you luck for everybody an it's wonderful to speak about this. It's the first step to control our behavior

[sirartist]

I love videos like this. I think it's so important for us to regularly assess where we are psychologically and emotionally with this hobby because it's all too easy to get caught in the empty cycle of buying more and more but feeling less satisfied. I wish collectors were more vocal about topics like this (even if they aren't quitting collecting) just to maintain a healthy outlook and balance

[puffinman]

Life-long toy collector here (with a few a few breaks here and there) and I truly appreciate your honesty and candor on this difficult topic. Another YouTuber said recently his toy collection: "Is about memories...it can increase joy or pull him out of a funk." Which is true BUT many collectors, myself at times too, have gone too far and it can be unexcesary stress, financial burden and distance between yourself and family.

I suppose its about balance but we have to remember, its not the end of the world of we can't acquire something. There were toys I wanted desperately then totally forgot about later on. Crazy how it works.

[halecollectibles]

With the ridiculous prices these days I'm surprised that ANYONE still collects.. I stopped years ago.

[retrofever]

Came to the same realization as you at about the same time in my life. I was trying to relive a time in my life when I was happy, chasing nostalgia is a helluva drug.

[leejamory]

I'm 19 years old and i just got back into collecting lego minifigures, your video inspired me to stop listening to my lust for collecting and just go out and enjoy life! Thank you brother. Keep being strong, its a fight. The memories aren't in the toys, they're in you so its okay to let the material go just don't let yourself go.

[Ohcrapitsfrieza]

I agree like it has been addiction for me. Sometimes like I find myself obsessed with it on my phone looking for the next thing never being satisfied with what I have and I keep buying buying. I have a new born coming and when you said you can’t take this with us that hit me hard bro.