Action Figure Collection Or Addiction? EP 97 - The Padawan Collector

Do you have an action figure Collection or an Addiction? In this episode we explore the signs of a collection addiction and what the experts are saying.

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[thepadawancollectorofficial]

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[MoparMcNeer]

This topic should really hit home for all of us, in some way or another. Collecting and addiction certainly go hand in hand, more often than we would care to admit. I appreciated your honesty on the topic as well as your concise summations in regards to both. I've seen where my collecting has been more of an addiction, and had to reel myself back in as well. It ebbs and flows as my interest does, but thankfully for vintage Star Wars, I always come back around even after brief stints/breaks. Recognizing when you're collecting breaks the boundaries of your budget and your social life, especially your relationship with your closest loved ones is so vitally important. Having the willpower to restrain yourself and/or get yourself back in line can be very challenging. Throughout my many years of collecting I am pretty sure I've battled all of the demons that you've discussed in this video at one point or another. My most current one is overspending beyond my set budget, so to battle this I just completely shut myself off to all the avenues for purchasing or even browsing, as I know I'm always bound to find something that I "need" that will no doubt be outside my budget for the month. At least now I know the signs of the pending rabbit hole, so I am able to stifle that before it becomes an issue. I know it's a learning process for many, hopefully the lessons are learned before it becomes truly an issue in your lives. Great topic Joey, and one that definitely deserves more light and more honesty.

[ClassicsFanboy]

I know your collection is a different genrė from mine, but as soon as the prices sky-rocketed and the figures produced (for my collection) were just variants of the same figures, I've just stopped buying. Since doing that I no longer have fomo, and I enjoy my collection for what it is.

[scoutisabelle]

Such a great video that affects all of us as collectors. You have a gift for speaking with us instead of talking to us, and it makes your videos feel so personal and warm. 😊

[FanBoy_Prime]

Going through this right now.

I sought out therapy late last year because I noticed I was having major concentration problems. I was tested and diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 45 and started medication and continued with therapy.
Quickly I noticed my desire to impulse buy began to subside. I started canceling preorders. I even sold off 16 boxes of packaged figures.
Because ADHD is a dopamine deficiency, I was using collecting as a means to get that fix.
This is a topic that needs to be discussed more in collector circles and I’m now shooting pictures as well as recording video of some of my progress as I’m reorganizing and “digging out”.

[paulbates]

Excellent episode Joey! Thank you for your openness! I took a months long pause on my collection to make sure I hadn’t fallen into addiction. I am just getting back now, but buying things much slower lol

[lg]

Been searching youtube regarding this topic and so far this is one of the most realistic advice and look into it. Especially that I've been selling some of my collection lately to make room for new ones and changing line and choosing one that I can sustain.

[DavidMoore-eujv]

Great Video, I have found myself getting sucked down the collecting rabbit hole so many times. I set limits and tell myself I am only going for certain figures but instead find myself buying too much. At the end of the day I find that I am more content with the figures I grew up with then the stuff they come out with now days. That dopamine rush is a killer. For example I was only going to collect the first few waves of GiJoe Classifieds but here I am still at it. After I get Retro Cobra Commander I am calling it quits. The post Covid era we are in right now has been a real game changer with inflation and other stuff.

[OhFrak]

Very well said... our interests can control us if left unchecked! Thankful my wife is understanding of my hobbies and collecting. Communication is key!

[darthlazlo]

I have downsized so much and I don’t miss any of it, yet. Lols. Even the childhood stuff. Honestly, at this point I just have figures and a couple vintage vehicles that count to me. The downsizing was for money for the family when it was needed the most & for that I am thankful for the value they hold. These days I don’t buy much unless that figure looks real damn good. No preorders. I only buy in the wild now and I live in the Deep South with only targets and Walmarts to shop from. I do have a great buddy with a deep connection locally that I owe most of my best stuff for finding. I have 2 young boys and we don’t usually have the kinda of cash I would need to complete my vintage run. With that said, I’d sell it all if we needed it for something real any day.

[musclecarczarig]

Great video! It really puts things into perspective, especially your great description of the "why". I had a large vintage collection but I sold almost all of it off several years ago after the prequels came out. Recently I got back into skateboarding and how they can still give you the feeling of freedom they did back in the 80's. I couldn't help but notice your Cab & Hawk decks in the background on your wall and I am guessing the rest of the Bones Brigade are up there too. Thanks for the great content!

[bernardmattie]

Brilliant video and thanks for sharing! Hugs to Mrs. Padawan and for shedding light on the topic.

[Master_Blaster_]

Something I've been thinking about recently...
Definitely hits home hard!
I really appreciate this video. Thank you.

[ageis]

Great video. I feel this is a very important topic to cover in every collecting community, especially on a channel such as yours. I have studied this topic extensively and I feel you covered the cautionary side perfectly, even providing measures to counter the impulses when things get out of control. Personally, I would have also like to have seen you speak equally on the flip side; the positives. I read Shirley Mueller's book last year and found her viewpoint on how, when balanced, collecting can also offer a sense of community that may be lacking in many of our lives. I am doing her book no justice here, but I was also surprised at the number of positives she discovered when a balanced collecting hobby is practiced. Another book I would strongly recommend is an older book from 1995 titled, "Collecting: An Unruly Passion: Psychological Perspectives" by Werner Muensterberger. This one is a bit of a tougher read but also outlines the extreme negatives of this hobby throughout history, with a surprising twist at its conclusion of a positive, almost uplifting, viewpoint on collecting.

[cyborgroxx]

I'm new to your channel. I started watching a few days ago (I subscribed). I like this video a lot. Yes, collecting is an addiction...at least for me. I've spent more than I wanted to over the years. I had to come up with a budget as well. It's been very helpful.

[hollandpixtoys]

Excellent episode! I certainly had to sink to the obsure side of the collection a few years ago. Then I took a break of 6 years, everything was in a box in the attic ... Until a few months ago when I started to take them out with joy. Then thanks to you, to start listing them ...

[enfieldjohn]

I would probably be addicted to collecting Star Wars stuff if it wasn't for the self-discipline that my family instilled in me even at an early age. My parents and grandparents (especially on my dad's side) were rather strict, stoic people who taught me to control how I reacted to life and to never let my emotions overwhelm my judgement.

I also am something of a frugal person, partly due to their influence and partly due to my wife who was also raised to be frugal with money. We try to live well within our means, with a small apartment, one car, buying almost everything used if we can, etc.

I'm a lucky guy, though, because I've met a lot of collectors over the years whose spouse didn't understand their passions and weren't supportive of their hobbies unlike my wife. Not only does she not give me a hard time about collecting, or joining clubs and going to conventions, but she sometimes gets me items she knows that I want, or tickets to events as well.

Having very limited space really helps me resist the urge to impulse buy. I'll see something that I really want online, in a store or at an event, but then I'll think "Where would I put it?" Having a small apartment saves you money in many ways.

Even though I don't buy, or trade for as much stuff as I'd like to, I've found that I get just as big of a kick out of talking with other collectors and watching their videos as I do from actually getting items myself. Just like with playing videogames, or tabletop games, discussing the hobby can be as much fun as engaging in whatever activity there is with it. Even selling an item to a fellow collector for less than he thought he'd have to pay for it can be a rush. When they thank me for it and I see in a post, private message, Ebay reply, etc. how much they love what I've sent them, that's a good feeling too.

Your videos and replies to comments are an excellent example of how talking about collecting can be as much fun as collecting itself. Thanks for making these videos.

[AlfredSurenyan]

This is a very good topic to cover. I know that my collecting is not an addiction (although some people joke at me that it is) but overall everyone I know loves that I collect Star Wars (and other toys). I have friends come over and take pictures of my collections to share with others. My collecting of Star Wars is very controlled most of the time with my budget, but sometimes I have gone out of budget. My Mom had told me once that if you see it then you should get it or you might not see it again. It is first and foremost a nostalgia for me and reminds me of my childhood. Sometimes when I look at my collection (especially my vintage) I can smell my childhood. And second of all I have anxiety. My career is not very easy as a composer and conductor and music educator. Music is my number one passion and I adore my career, but I do need to step aside when too much work is at hand and let the anxiety go and give myself a few days and work with my collection. It really helps to return back to a musical composition that has been rough to compose, or practicing a piece for rehearsal or even worse grading papers. So after a few days of speeding time with collecting and finding pieces, I am totally relaxed and return back to work with a lot of energy. Of course then there is the facts that I will conduct John Williams’ famous score to Star Wars and then the collection returns to my head. By the way, Star Wars and my career are linked. When Star Wars first was released my Mother bought me the soundtrack (on vinyl which I still have with JW’s signature). This is how my Mother got me into music as she has planned. The music captured me and I wanted to be a composer like JW. And thus I became a composer. It’s all because of Star Wars. So basically my collection is very personal for me. It shaped my future and my life.

[christiankempiak]

Absolutely right. It always hard to say „no“! Especially if you find some great offers. And these offers come always at the wrong moment! 🤷‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

[garyeastell]

Hi Joey, greetings from Australia.
I have enjoyed watching your videos since discovering your channel a few weeks ago and must say it has been very nostalgic for me.
I was seven when Star Wars came out and it was a very big part of my childhood for me and my friends.
I collected all of the original figures as they came out except for the last eight, maybe I will try and finish my collection one day.
I have a few of the playsets and ships, however the centrepiece of my collection would have to be my vinyl caped jawa.
Unfortunately he is not boxed but he is in mint condition.
Thankfully I still have my entire collection from my childhood and have been adding to it as the new movies come out.
Every now and again I go through my collection for a bit of nostalgia as like you my dear mother bought most of it for me.
Love your work and look forward to your next video.