Whether we collect cards, comics, toys or any niche variant in between, we as nerds belong to one of the most incredible hobby kingdoms out there. Our stuff feels just a little more exciting than real life. It stretches the boundaries of imagination while making us feel young again.
Going on the hunt for a holy grail is an adventure in and of itself. We study up on our quest book or card. We scour online for people who are selling it, and what kind of deals they are offering. Then we lock down the grail: the price, condition and seller are an exact match. We raise our prize in mighty triumph!
There's an indescribable sensation of joy from getting our hands on a chase collectible. It's almost rapturous, creating a feeling we want to experience over and over again.
Almost like a drug.
Cracking open one pack of cards becomes two, then a box. Grabbing a few issues of a classic series becomes the hunt for the entire run, then the search for all the variants.
All the while, you start to notice the rush you feel is just a little less each time you make a discovery, until the joy becomes relief. The hunt stops being fun, it becomes an all encompassing, life consuming obsession.
Sure sounds like a drug.
I had my family with me at the comic store a few years ago. The owner started telling my sister how I could have worse habits, be addicted to drugs. At least I was reading, enjoying art. It was strange hearing him talk about me in this seemingly unprompted way. I wondered if that was how an addict felt when they were being defended by an enabler. I became concerned that I might have a serious problem.
But are collectibles a drug, or are we just gluttons for too much of a good thing?
Cards and comics don't have any chemically altering properties that affect your health. So they're not inherently dangerous from that standpoint. The joy you get from reading a mind expanding comic or getting that super-rare chase card can become addictive, but so can the rapture of devouring a delicious slice of cake.
The problem is not that we have a drug of choice. Rather, some of us simply have a lack of self-control, abandoning long-term interests for instant gratification. Repeatedly following this pattern can absolutely wreck your credit and your social life alike.
But is abandoning your hobby actually in your best interest?
HELL NO, IT ISN'T.
Embracing art and creativity are part of the human experience. In layman's terms, cards and comics are AWESOME! If you duck out, you're throwing away something good simply because you got greedy.
It's the perfect time to work on self-control! Now I'm no expert, but I did lose 100 pounds in my early 40s and have managed to keep the weight off, so I do know a thing or two about building better life habits. If you've noticed that you're spending too much, or you're losing track of the things you're bringing, take a step back, and formulate a basic plan based on two factors.
One: Determine what you REALLY want versus what would be cool, impulse filler. The thirty day waiting rule for major purchases is awesome, and has kept me from making MANY disastrous choices. For minor purchases, I ask myself, how much regret would I have if I left the store without this today. You can filter out a TON of bulk with this question, as many of the items you see for sale can be picked up at another time. Of those items, many might end up forgotten in a box somewhere.
Two: Determine what your budget is ahead of time. Know your spending limits and force yourself to stay within them. Bring that amount in cash, and when that runs out, STOP. Simple as that.
Ideally, these two principles will help you enjoy your collection hobby without having it become a ponderous obsession. You'll have more money in your pocket, you'll have less stress from having what you need, and you'll treasure your grails more because you won't have a glut of them. Greed is the ultimate enemy, and defeating greed will make you happier in life no matter what walk of life you pursue.
Have any tips or tricks on managing your hobby? Let me know in the comments below!
'Til next time, keep your eyes to the skies!
Paul Andrea
Comments
Post a Comment