When Collecting is a Hobby

Have you ever found yourself accumulating items thinking that one day you will use them? Only to find that time has gone by and you still have not used the items and it comes the time when you throw the materials away. Some people however enjoy collecting items and turn it into a hobby. Many hobbyists collect certain items such as rocks, stamps, coins, porcelain dolls and other types of things. One United States attorney has a collection of over 200,000 railroad nails.

The different items that can be collected are endless. Even bizarre materials can be a collector’s item. One Russian countess collected bedpans that had once belonged to rich and famous people. What is the fascination behind collecting? The Encyclopedia Americana says, “People pursue hobbies for many reason but mainly for fun. Hobbies are relaxing and offer a change from daily routines.” So point blank, people find collecting as enjoyable and a satisfactory part of their life. It may even bring back memories of places or people that mean the most to them. The reason may also be for financial gain. Some collectible items are antiques and are worth a good deal of money. Even if it is not expensive, it may be a hard to find item and someone may pay you to obtain the item. However, you must be careful when you begin collecting items.

Not all sellers are reputable, and they may try to sell you fakes and forgeries by telling you it is valuable, when it is not. Discernment is needed when purchasing collectibles and even when re-selling them. You do not want to be caught up in a scam. Be careful that your newfound hobby does not occupy too much time, energy, and money. Spending money or obsessing over your collectibles is not healthy. No hobby should become so consuming that you go to extremes to get what you want at a high cost. Balanced is needed. How can you prevent your interest in collecting from overshadowing more important factors in life?

You can start by setting certain times that you work on your hobby. Do not use all of your monetary resources on buying collectors items. Remember that family needs and personal needs come first. Ask yourself “Do I have self control?” If you do not know the answer to this, you may not have it. Collecting as a hobby does not have to take over your life, it should be an enjoyable pastime that you can enjoy without undue stress. It can be relaxing, fun, and even educational.