Does anyone else ever just get burnt out on collecting? I can't stop checking in, because I feel I'll regret it if I do, but I also just have times where I don't really care. Sometimes, I just sell it all off, so I don't have to worry about keeping up anymore. I suppose it might help if I could keep my collection together, maybe when I graduate. /Dear Abby Off
My advice would be to stop trying to "keep up". With the economy in it's current state, the only sane thing to do is be more choosey with what you buy, and only get what you can't live without. If you check in only because you feel you have to, I'd see that as a sign that you may need a break. This hobby can be overwhelming, especially when trying to stay up to date on all the new releases and even catching up with old ones(which can be impossible with some lines). If you don't enjoy it... why do it?
Yeah, why make yourself miserable, you need a break take a month or two, you'll miss some figs, but they'll just be released when you get back in a new color way. Besides in this economic state, seems like most toys are sitting around for a while not selling out immediately. Even if you miss a release you really want, it will probably still be around when you get back.
Just buy things you like. Knowing what you like and just getting that is the name of the game. It's easier said than done.
Well, collecting this stuff is so much easier than it used to be that you probably don't need to be here so often. You can pre-order tons of releases or buy directly from the Secret Base or Gargamel websites, from KT, etc. Used to be you'd want to hang around here because things could drop at any time in the webstore and you'd have to jump on it. But production numbers and prices are so high these days that even awesome figures like new versions of Martin's Ojo Rojo take a while to sell through. Another way to look at it is, in the Japan Toys section, a lot of the news for amazing new releases are for figures only sold in Japan, so even if you're around to see the news, you need to be in Tokyo (or on YJA) to have a shot at the figures.
Where do you live? Because tonight (12/21) @ 12:04 UTC it's the winter solstice. Meaning this is the longest damned night of the year. Season Affective Disorder is real. And honestly, this past week for me had one great high-point (work holiday party I am very, very grateful I could have) and then immediately catching a chest-cold and being homebound for about 3 days... In the middle of winter... I can't even begin to describe how miserable it felt. But I'm better and the days will get longer. Also, I'm awaiting my last package from Celga for a while. I don't feel the need to keep up with anything since I collect old-school Microman stuff, but I mainly collect what I need/want. And that keeps it under control.
Its also a cycle. If you've ever collected anything in your life for a considerable length of time there's this cyclic period where you feel "burnt out". It passes though, a big mistake is to go off and sell your collection. That only ends up in allot of regret. It's been said but it's really is true, buy only what you like. This "burnt out" period is actually beneficial in a way that it will help you focus your collecting/collection.
You can also try expanding your collecting interests, so that collecting any one thing won't burn you out too quickly. Toys are not my main collecting priority, so it isn't as stressful to me as my other two hobbies (collecting rare books and vinyl records). I just focus my money and energy on different things at different times, and I'm a lot happier (but a lot poorer also ).
there seems to be a post like this once every couple months. and each time someone posts something like this, i see those same people back time and time again. so just hang in there. toy collecting doesn't have to always be priority one, take a break. being burnt out doesn't mean you no longer have a love for the hobby, you just need some time away....
I get like this now and again. I never sell off anything because of it though, since I know the feeling will pass.
I've cut back my focus a lot, and found other things to occupy time rather than skulking around the board all day and night. Contrary to popular belief, Warcraft can be your friend! Kidding aside, take a week off. You'll feel a million times better.
i've been in this boat more or less for the past few months... sometimes more than others i've found something that helps me is to keep organized and rotate out some things... when everything is out in the open and space is cramped, it makes me feel crappy about it all. also, i've been trying to get back into movies and reading more than i had been there for awhile
i think one way you can kick the habit is to just not buy the next few releases you want and never get them. after breaking into chills and sweating for a few weeks, hopefully you'll find that you don't NEED them and regain control. well for me this worked to get out of the mentality that I was obligated to get certain lines of toys, then i realized that it's my money... i can do what i want.
i took some time away a couple months ago for almost 2 months. it was relaxing. i started up my fitness center thing again, and for collecting, i randomly picked up some g.i. joes and caught up on comics. it kept the toy habit alive, but didn't hurt my wallet quite as bad. plus, i wasn't bogged down by the feeling if i don't act now, i might not see these things available again, since every wal-mart or target has like a zillion copies of each figure. so true. don't start selling off your stock just cause you burned out. you'll be pissed at yourself when the kaiju feeling comes back!
dollar store toys and kung fu movies are a way to get your mind off more expensive habits as well you can pick up like 10 kung fu flicks at best buy for 10 bucks!
Best remedy for burn out is to just do other things. Every skullbrainer/collector goes through this. You feel as though you're away from here for a day and you'll miss the deal of the century. You probably will, but not to worry, the next deal of the century will be right around the corner Best thing to do is unplug, spend some time with friends or your g/f, and just realize it's not the end of the world. There will be something you want more than what you miss within a week or two. Don't be hasty and sell everything off. Remember your collection isn't just about what's in it. It's also about time and effort that went into acquiring everything. That's an intangible I'd hate to lose in a burnt moment.
