Why I Quit Collecting Toys/Action Figures.

Summary

In this raw and vulnerable video, the speaker opens up about their journey with toy collecting, which started as a childhood hobby but evolved into an addiction. They reflect on how collecting became a way to cope with isolation and negative experiences, ultimately leading to an unbalanced life and strained relationships. Now, at 31, the speaker is letting go of much of their collection, recognizing the importance of relationships over material possessions. The video encourages others to reflect on their own collecting habits, prioritize meaningful connections, and find peace in shedding unnecessary things.

Takeaways

• 😀 Toy collecting started as a childhood interest but became a form of control during difficult times in life.
• 😀 For many, toy collecting can become an addiction, driven by the dopamine rush from acquiring new items.
• 😀 The realization that collecting toys led to negative emotional outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and strained relationships.
• 😀 Collecting was an escape from real-life challenges and an attempt to fill a void caused by external conflicts like bullying.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on the unhealthy attachment to material things, particularly toys, and the need to prioritize personal connections over possessions.
• 😀 Over time, collecting shifted from a nostalgic hobby to a compulsive habit, leading to a cluttered life and a lack of emotional fulfillment.
• 😀 At the age of 31, the speaker recognizes the importance of focusing on relationships with family, friends, and loved ones over material objects.
• 😀 The speaker is starting to sell off a large portion of their collection, finding it liberating and realizing they didn’t truly need most of it.
• 😀 The concept of 'FOMO' (Fear of Missing Out) around collecting toys and other material goods can contribute to an unhealthy mindset.
• 😀 Happiness is only real when shared, and focusing on meaningful interactions with others is more important than accumulating material goods.
• 😀 The journey of letting go of material possessions is part of personal growth, and the speaker encourages others to reflect on their own collecting habits.

Q & A

What motivated the speaker to make this video?

The speaker wanted to share a personal experience about stopping toy collecting and the impact it had on their life, hoping to connect with others who might resonate with their story.

How did the speaker first get into toy collecting?

The speaker started collecting toys at the age of 12, and the initial attraction came from childhood interests such as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as a sense of nostalgia.

What negative experience led the speaker to start collecting toys?

The speaker mentions that their toy collecting began as a result of a negative experience, though they choose not to go into detail, hinting that it was tied to personal struggles and a need for control in their life.

Why did the speaker view toy collecting as a form of control?

The speaker found solace in toys because they could control where to place them, which provided a sense of stability and comfort during times when other aspects of life felt out of control, such as social isolation and bullying.

What impact did toy collecting have on the speaker's life?

Over time, toy collecting became an obsession, leading to negative consequences such as emotional isolation, turbulent relationships, depression, and anxiety. The speaker recognized that the pursuit of toys, driven by dopamine, affected their well-being.

How did the speaker's toy collecting habits evolve over the years?

Initially, the speaker collected toys in moderation, but as time passed, they found themselves purchasing more items, including those they didn't even like, driven by fear of missing out (FOMO) and the dopamine rush of acquiring new items.

What realization did the speaker come to about material possessions?

The speaker realized that while material possessions, like toys, can bring temporary joy, they ultimately have no lasting value, as they cannot be taken with them in life. The speaker acknowledged that memories and relationships are far more important.

What does the speaker suggest to others who may be struggling with similar issues?

The speaker encourages others to take a break from collecting, reflect on what's truly important, and reconnect with people. They emphasize that happiness is real when shared and urge people to prioritize relationships over material possessions.

Why does the speaker feel the need to stop collecting toys?

At 31, the speaker recognized that toy collecting had consumed too much of their life, leading to unhealthy patterns. They decided to prioritize their health, relationships, and well-being over material pursuits, thus starting to sell their collection.

How does the speaker plan to continue engaging with the hobby moving forward?

While the speaker plans to stop actively collecting, they may still occasionally buy toys that they truly love, but without the pressure of FOMO or competitive collecting. They also express a desire to create more review videos for the toys they do keep.