Jessalyn Aaland’s “In Amongst It” (2011), Via Pinterest

Sabrina Coccimiglio
Copy Editor

Hundreds of Jelly Cats line the wall. Someone has just bought their 50th pair of shoes. Another is proudly displaying their extensive amount of body care. Labubus paw at you from every corner. Something as simple as collecting has blurred into something completely different: overconsumption. So, what exactly is the line between the two?

The Oxford Dictionary defines collecting as “the action or process of gathering or bringing together things in one place or group.” And, in essence, this is technically what a collection is. However, if you asked someone why they collect things, they might not have a clear answer. Is it an addiction? An itch that can never be satisfied? Or is it a term masking the problem of overconsumption?

Some of the earliest collectors are children. According to psychologist Fred B. Charlatan, children naturally enjoy gathering piles of flowers or bottle caps. Which isn’t very surprising when you think about it, since most of us grew up surrounded by collections of Shopkins, Squinkies, Monster High dolls, Lalaloopsy dolls, and the list continues.

“Naturally, collecting reflects the human desire to control the resources surrounding us.”

There are a multitude of reasons that drive a collector. Many scholars have dedicated their lives to finding an answer to this complex topic and continue to be puzzled by it. Although there is no conclusive agreement, there are, however, many theories and studies, one being from the psychologist Ruth Formanek, who focused on identifying the major “rubrics” of collecting from a sample of diverse collectors.

Formanek’s first rubric is the extension of self, which is separated into subcategories—the defense against negative emotions, a desire for control, and a source of self-esteem. When one tries to cover up a sense of loss or depressive state, they relieve this by adding to their collection. However, someone else may find a sense of purpose by accomplishing a challenge, developing expertise, or evoking nostalgia, while others search for the newest addition to flaunt or boost their self-esteem.

Another significant criteria in the study is collecting in relation to others. Though it is more complicated to explain, the focus is on items collected that represent a certain close relationship to others, or being part of a community of like-minded people.

Other reasons include collecting for financial investment or to preserve the historical importance of objects. However, another prominent rubric in Formanek’s study, which can be observed in today’s society, is collecting as a form of addiction. Many have the urge or develop the habit of collecting. By making a routine of shopping for collectibles, individuals often mix emotion and habit together.

Collectors, however, must be careful not to lose sight of the emotional connection with their collectibles. According to marketing academic Russell W. Belk, being swept by the materialistic aspect of an object is when overconsumption replaces collecting. Instead, a “good” collector should seek to create meaningful relationships with objects, rather than with the symbols associated with them.

Materialism,“a value system that emphasizes the pursuit and acquisition of material goods and luxuries, typically perceived by the individual as a measure of personal worth and achievement,” according to Britannica, has become embedded in our culture today, as marketing trends promote consumerism, create desire, and associate value with material objects. Hence, collecting has a dual nature that is hard to manage, especially when living in a capitalist society.

Strictly speaking, purchasing anything that isn’t essential to a human’s survival or well-being is considered overconsumption. However, like American psychologist Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – the famous pyramid that classifies a human’s needs and wants – when we maintain necessary basic survival requirements, we also crave love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualisation. Thus, it is crucial instead to question whether your purchases are for yourself

Think to yourself, why do I want to buy this? If it’s because you want to fit into a new trend or just have the impulse to buy something, rethink your purchase. Give yourself at least 24 hours before making your decision. You might realize that you aren’t collecting for the right reasons.

Before the next consumerist trend comes along, think critically about the choices you make as a consumer. Collecting isn’t about the material, but a form of identity, self-expression, and emotional connection. It is not about posessing meaningless objects or filling a void by acquiring material goods. You have control over what you buy and don’t. The purchases you make reflect the collector you want to become, so choose wisely.