Collecting physical objects has been a cherished pastime for people all across the world. Collectors spend their time hunting down different types of items, whether stamps and coins or action figures and wine bottles. Interestingly, this isn’t just a fun hobby, as there are psychological reasons why some people cannot resist adding item after item to their collection. For some, collecting is driven by passion, but in other cases, the allure of collecting is linked to the potential for financial gain, as the collectors perceive their collections as a way to diversify their investment portfolio.
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There’s a common misconception that collecting is the same as hoarding, but that’s not the case, as the latter is usually uncontrolled and can be categorized as a mental disorder, while collecting, on the other hand, involves careful curation of the items collected. Besides, it has numerous benefits on your mental health, such as improving curiosity, reducing stress, and creating social connections, to name a few.
What drives people to collect?
Human psychology is fascinating, and people have all sorts of internal motivations for doing ( or not doing) something. When it comes to collecting, many things can drive people to embrace this pastime.
Emotional needs
Collecting can offer fulfillment in unexpected ways by tapping into people’s emotional needs. For many, this activity is all about nostalgia and reconnecting with memories from the past. As a child, you’ve likely had a toy you really enjoyed playing with and finding it at an antique store when you’re older is like reuniting with an old friend of yours. For many people, collecting also offers a reprieve from everyday stresses, boosting their happiness – the emotional payoff can actually be like a warm blanket on a cold day. The thrill of the hunt can also offer a sense of purpose and achievement, giving individuals something meaningful to invest their energy and time in throughout the years, whether it’s about supporting players from the NFL or being part of the Potterheads. At the same time, collecting can significantly improve your mental wellbeing, as it promotes mindfulness and positive feelings.
Identity and belonging
Collecting can also provide a sense of belonging and identity. The items someone collects reflect their interests, personalities, and values. For example, if someone is a fan of vintage vinyl, the collection may indicate a love for nostalgia and music history. On the other hand, someone who collects McDonalds memorabilia may have fond memories of their parents taking them there for a treat when they were little. Collectors curate a gallery of personal stories that allow them to showcase to the world who they are, and engaging with other collectors can further boost their sense of identity. Sharing trading pieces and insights and talking about the history behind the items can foster a sense of community and connection, and this shared enthusiasm can create a collective identity among collectors. For many like-minded individuals, collecting can fulfill a deep-seated need for belonging. The Internet may have flaws, but it has also opened the door to great opportunities for collectors, allowing them to collect things that were once considered unusual and even bizarre. However, you can find a Facebook group for nearly any collecting focus these days.
Sense of control
Interestingly, collecting can provide people with a sense of control in an unpredictable world. Those who have started to collect things have asked themselves at least once why they find it so appealing to do this, and one reason is that there’s solace to be found in organizing and categorizing collectibles. Collectors get to build their own little universe where everything is in the right place – and this sense of control can be especially fulfilling for those who are often overwhelmed by everyday life’s complexities.
The joy of display
The act of displaying a collection can bring significant joy to collectors, allowing them to create a visually appealing arrangement of items and enjoy their treasures on a daily basis. Whether it’s displaying action figures on shelves, arranging stamps in albums, or curating an art collection, collecting can be aesthetically pleasing and gratifying, enhancing the living space of the collector and serving as a source of achievement and pride simultaneously.
Social knowledge
Those who are serious about collecting enjoy spending their time identifying and evaluating targets of interest, and throughout the years, collectors develop a strong discernment level that illustrates an advanced form of knowledge about the desired items. Building this expertise and being able to share it with others who are just as passionate seem to boost the collector’s dedication to the process. The Internet has made it easier to find many resources if you’re seeking information on provenance and pricing as a collector. Furthermore, those who are isolated in terms of location can form communities of interest a lot easier. Gaining knowledge definitely requires skill and patience, but collectors who have a deep passion for it are keen to engage and share, and they find value in the enhanced understanding they have as much as in the collected items. From this perspective, collecting can be seen as a basis for the fundamental desire to understand the surrounding world.
Conclusion
Collecting may be perceived as a hobby at first glance, but in reality, it is about more than that. As highlighted above, people have a wide range of motivations for collecting things, whether it’s a sentimental value, the thrill of the hunt, the joy of displaying items, and so on. Collectors can find a lot of meaning and fulfillment in this pursuit, and all the social connections they build, as well as the sense of escapism and personal identity can further enhance the journey of collecting.
Collecting serves as a great avenue for self-expression, enabling individuals to showcase their tastes, personalities and creativity, and each collection piece reflects the collector’s unique perspective. Whether through memorabilia, art, or antiques, collecting provides a tangible manifestation of one’s identity. Collections are, in fact, pieces of the collector’s soul – a continuous autobiography evolving with each item added.
