Why Do We Collect Things?

I got this idea to write about this topic since I just watched a bunch of videos of Pokemon Card Vendors on youtube. I must say, the interaction they have in the community is awesome! Now, this got me thinking, why do we collect things despite whatever is going on in our lives?

I Collect Memories

First, to answer that question, I personally collect meaningful and personal objects. The short messages you get after a retreat or a workshop, the birthday card from my friends, or my notes from as long as I can remember.

Although most of the time I did not really look at that stuff often, but when I do a deep cleaning or when I move (which I did quite a few times in the past 20 years of my life), I get to look over that stuff, and it kinda sparks happiness and warmth in me. It makes me remember how I used to be, or how I was still the same person until now.

Just at the beginning of last year, I got to reread some of the journals I wrote 6-7 years ago, and it made me teary-eyed because I could reflect on how far I’ve come to this point in my life. The saying, “You are currently living at least one of the prayers you used to pray.” I know it does.

In the MBTI world, I am an absolute F person. I feel for everything, such a high empath and I know oftentimes feelings got into my mind. So seeing stuff from the past is definitely a lovely experience for me.

It Roots from the Desire for Control

I know the collecting hobby has been around for the longest time, but these days it’s getting out of hand (in my opinion). With the popularity of blind boxes, it’s straight-out consumerism in my eyes. From this study, I learned that our urge to collect things, completing a full set of something, is because of our desire, as humans, to control. It motivates us to ‘complete’ the set or just to put structure in our lives. And I believe that human nature has now become the targeted strategy for companies to get us to spend our money.

Well, I’m not against it because people have their own reasons for collecting stuff, and I do collect books too. Which I recently felt bad about since I rarely read my books more than once, and that made me realise it’s the same as buying single-use products. (I know it’s not head to head, but that’s how my mind works anyway) So, I am working on making my book accessible for my friends to lend.

It Brings Happiness

In The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, collecting things is one of the happiness factors she identifies. At first, she wasn’t the kind of person who collected things, but she ended up collecting bluebird figurines and ornaments. And that is why I am not against being a collector – as long as it is within healthy boundaries in terms of space and obviously budget. It would undermine the purpose of being happy if you had to be in debt to afford them.

Being a K-Pop fan, I love to collect posters, unlike many who collect photo cards. In my opinion, posters are better because I can put them up on my wall and see them every day! Hahaha. I also know people who collect and keep them safe – not a chance putting a tape on the poster to put it up on the wall, and that is why every person has different ways to value their collection. Another point: collect for investments.

I know some of the so-called ‘rare’ photocards have huge value, and that is definitely another way to look at it from an economic perspective. It’s just I don’t have the business blood in me. I knew for sure that if I were doing that, I would be ripped off by many people, hahaha.

Oh! Another thing, I like to collect stickers too! I used to collect and put them in the sticker books, but nowadays, when I buy stickers, I always make sure to use them. Hihihi. I guess my perspective has grown. Do you know the comparison of a plushie that has been hugged for years compared to the new one – it shows that it has been loved. Reminds me of the lyrics from Ed Sheeran’s song, “A heart that’s broke is a heart that’s been loved.” This is from one of my all-time fav songs from Ed, and those specific lyrics have given me a new perspective on love.