Gentle Friends,
Ever since this thread was initiated, I have been trying to decide if I am actually slowing down. You would think a very easy conclusion would be possible, but, like many things, I find it a bit difficult to determine my actual circumstance. Let me explain.
It is true I have slowed my purchasing. I have been focusing on fewer and fewer lines to collect. My behavior is partially determined by a need to be financially responsible. Given the conditions of the economy, it seems wise to make fewer expenditures.
Two years ago, I mainly focused on five areas to collect. They were: Delhi Durbar (Beau Geste, Britains, Marlborough, and William Hocker), Samurai (Monarch Regalia), Ancient Egyptians (K&C), BOB (K&C), and Napoleonics (K&C). As a practical matter, the fact that K&C would regularly issue new figures and retire earlier ones was becoming an endless frustration for me. If I only collected BOB or Napoleonics, I could probably deal with the new issues and the retirements, but my interests were too broad to do so. Consequently, I made the decision to narrow my collecting interests even further and I began to focus on the Delhi Durbar, the Samurai, and the Ancient Egyptians. By limiting most of my purchases to these three areas, I could generally keep pace with the new issues and the retirements and I have been happier as a result of my decision. I still purchase the occasional K&C Napoleonic figure or BOB set, but I am no longer driven by any need to keep pace with these series.
I am also concerned about the limitations imposed by my display space. These limitations lend themselves well to becoming more discriminating with my purchases. I still have some display space available, but it is being rapidly reduced.
While my purchasing has been slowing, I do not experience any less enthusiasm for the hobby. I still spend many hours participating on the forums, admiring my collection, reading history, and interacting with my toy soldier friends. In other words, my slower purchasing seems driven by realistic considerations, not by a loss of interest. In fact, my slower purchasing elevates my excitement when I receive a new item to add to my collection. My final conclusion is that while my purchasing has slowed, my enthusiasm and excitment have increased. All in all, I do not think my experience actually reflects the process of slowing down. Rather, I think it is simply symptomatic of my growth and maturity as a collector.
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
