Hobby or obsession?

[Blondie]

Be it stuffed animals, disney cells, dolls, pins, etc.

When does it go from a hobby to a full blown obsession? When the room you have designated for your collectibles is full?

The reason I ask is I recently discovered a co-worker has been collecting santa clauses for decades. She has a room (would normally be a guest bedroom) that is full to the brim with them. Santas in bathing suits, tuxes, police uniforms, etc. She has them as dolls, salt and pepper shakers, a complete set of dishes, picture frames, soap dishes, etc. If you can think it, she has it! Old calendars, clocks, blankets, lamps, etc.

I guess my real question is when do you stop? It's not like she can take these Santas to places with her like people who collect hats, shoes or purses. At least you can wear them! But items like that you can't.

And you certainly can't take them with you when you pass away. I guess you have to make sure they are in your will or someone will just toss them in the trash, or donate them to the Goodwill, etc.

But I wonder....is there a difference between a hobby and an obsession? And is there such a thing as an unhealthy obsession when it comes to collectible items such as teddy bears, santas, etc.?

 

[janette]

My kids and a few people at work have called me obsessed w/ Disney so not sure where that line is. I do have more things than I should but I'm trying to limit myself to what I have room and a place for.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I think a hobby is something that you control, while an obsession is something that controls you.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I will admit that I'm one of the most obsessive people you will ever meet. Maybe even the most. I've never even had a hobby, only short lived obessions.

Two years ago, ducks were my passion. In a period of four months, I had collected over fifty ducks. I still have most of them today. However, I never blew it out of proportion to the point where I was drowned in ducks wherever I went in my house.

The only reason my obsession ended was because I got bored with it.

It really does vary from person to person. I think that if a person will admit to themselves that they are obsessed with something, their collecting won't turn into hoarding.

 

[DVCLiz]

...to the point where I was drowned in ducks...

Sorry, couldn't resist...

 

[Blondie]

I will admit that I'm one of the most obsessive people you will ever meet. Maybe even the most. I've never even had a hobby, only short lived obessions.

Two years ago, ducks were my passion. In a period of four months, I had collected over fifty ducks. I still have most of them today. However, I never blew it out of proportion to the point where I was drowned in ducks wherever I went in my house.

The only reason my obsession ended was because I got bored with it.

It really does vary from person to person. I think that if a person will admit to themselves that they are obsessed with something, their collecting won't turn into hoarding.

I bolded part of your post because I think that is so true.

When it comes to collecting, I get bored easily. For a while I was into carousel horses. I got up to about 10 of them and stopped. Same with Precious Moments. I just counted and I have 14 figurines. I haven't added to the collection in probably 5 years or so. Again, I got bored. I think there's a difference between collecting and hoarding as you said above.

What my co-worker is doing I would call hoarding! I guess she doesn't see it that way and that's fine. It's not hurting anyone and it brings her pleasure to some degree, I guess.

 

[RickinNYC]

I used to collect horror movie action figures and things called Living Dead Dolls. When I realized that the one bookshelf became two, then three, then the entire case and then two cases, I realized it was a bit much.

Because there are so many other freaky horror movie lovers like me out there, I sold the entire lot for about $3000 in one fell swoop when I had only spent about $700 over a two year period for everything.

Go figure, eh?

 

[hopemax]

The thing about collections is that they seem to grow exponentially, without trying. You say this person has been collecting for decades... 20 years of birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas presents, vacation souvenirs multiplied by the number of friends & family that know you collect something and pick one up for you for said events = well, you do the math.

 

[JadenLayne]

As long as the person enjoys what they collect and can afford it then I see it as collecting.

When you spend money that should be spent elsewhere then you have a problem.

I am another one of those people who will start collecting something, get bored with it and collect something else. Heck my Beanie Baby collection paid for our first trip to WDW. Luckily I sold them when people still wanted them.

I do have a Disney things in my bedroom that I add to occasionally but as of right now that's all I'm still actively collecting. I have some dolls, some stuffed animals, purses, sterling silver etc. but I don't add to those collections often.

Oh and Kathy,
I bet my mom (who also collects Santas) has one your friend doesn't. It's Santa sitting on the pot in an outhouse!!!!!!

 

[Becky2005]

The thing about collections is that they seem to grow exponentially, without trying.

My mom likes smiley faces. She has a cabinet FULL of smiley faces...I don't think she has bought a single thing in that cabinet. She actually does have more than just 1 cabinet, they are scattered throughout but only 1 cabinet dedicated solely to smiley faces. Honestly, they could be over-run by smiley faces. My aunt is notorious for picking up trinkets that have smiley faces on them and giving them to my mom "I saw this and thought you would like it" (so add that to the holidays and EEK!!!).

She even says she really doesn't want any more but she isn't going to tell her sister to stop giving her smiley faces because "it's the thought that counts".

I will occasionally add to her collection if there is something she wants or we are doing and our choices are a smiley face or something else. The smiley face will win. Even my KIDS try to pick up trinkets for grandma because it has a smiley face on it (no matter *what* the thing is they are attempting to get me to get for her).

I would think an obession would be more if it consumes your life.

 

[marybet]

Does she display them or are they just in bags and boxes? I think it is an obsession when you continue to buy things and have no where to put them, or if you are in debt because of your collection.

If you need to rent a storage unit to keep all the stuff you collect, than you probably have a problem.

I collect different things, Longaberger baskets, lighthouses, Coca Cola items, and well dressed build-a-bears! I have a lot of stuff, I don't buy anything new unless I know where I am going to put it. I think the bears might be a bit of an obsession, I mean how many outfits do they really need. But I do have fun with them and I enjoy dressing them, and unlike pets, I can leave them alone when we travel. Plus I don't have to feed them. I might get one more, I heard they are coming out with a turtle, but that is really all I have room for. Now the clothes are another story, maybe I need an intervention?

 

[ilovepcot]

Oh Lord....this makes me think back to a patient I had a few years ago that had collected owls for over 60 years. I was sent to her home for private duty and before I even got out of my car, I saw owls. In trees, the mailbox, front door wreath, perched on the front porch swing, peeking out from the flowerbeds, etc. Inside made me flinch! Had to be 1,000's of owls of all kinds. The lady had taught school for over 50 years and all the students gave her an owl of some sort for Christmas and at the end of the school year. Her family got in on the collecting and she did her part as well. Worst mess I ever saw but she loved every one of them.

 

[Pixie Tales]

I have a Disney Pin obsession.. I collect and trade hundreds at a time.. Everytime a new pin comes out.. I feel like I Need it for my collection.. I go to Disney and get it

So yea, I'd say I'm obsessed...

 

[SandraVB79]

It's getting an obsession when you don't have it under control anymore, being: when you spend too much money on it, money you don't have.

I spend a lot of money on Disney-collectibles. I can't wear it, I can't eat it, ... but I can look at it. I love to look at it. As long as I don't spend TOO much money on it, I'm OK.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Be it stuffed animals, disney cells, dolls, pins, etc.

When does it go from a hobby to a full blown obsession? When the room you have designated for your collectibles is full?

The reason I ask is I recently discovered a co-worker has been collecting santa clauses for decades. She has a room (would normally be a guest bedroom) that is full to the brim with them. Santas in bathing suits, tuxes, police uniforms, etc. She has them as dolls, salt and pepper shakers, a complete set of dishes, picture frames, soap dishes, etc. If you can think it, she has it! Old calendars, clocks, blankets, lamps, etc.

I guess my real question is when do you stop? It's not like she can take these Santas to places with her like people who collect hats, shoes or purses. At least you can wear them! But items like that you can't.

And you certainly can't take them with you when you pass away. I guess you have to make sure they are in your will or someone will just toss them in the trash, or donate them to the Goodwill, etc.

But I wonder....is there a difference between a hobby and an obsession? And is there such a thing as an unhealthy obsession when it comes to collectible items such as teddy bears, santas, etc.?

that's actually quite scary.


i dunno, DH2B says i'm obsessed with Orlando Bloom......of course, that's not quite the same as being obsessed with Santa Clause.

well......actually......no, i'm not going there with a pervy Santa joke. that's just so wrong lol

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Unhealthy is when you are not paying your bills and instead buying items, gambling, etc....

I think it is OK, to have your hobbies. However life comes first.

As far as me, I do not have any "collections". In fact I guess I am the opposite. Having a collection makes me feel ...so what is THAT!?

 

[poohandwendy]

I think when you don't really find enjoyment outside of your little hobby world, you have crossed over to obsession.

 

[DAISY DUCK FAN!]

I think a hobby is something that you control, while an obsession is something that controls you.

Very well put.

 

[Pixie Tales]

ehhh... who needs Money?? Can't take it with ya!!

 

[RitaZ.]

As long as the person can financially support the hobby and it doesn't affect anyone else, then I see no problem. If it makes you happy, go for it.