Depression and Collecting

[Luke Dodge748]

No, I'm not going to talk about how sad I am. I'm actually quite happy these days, considering the state of the world 2022. But I wanted to talk about why I collect, and how collecting helps me with "depression". I'm not seeing a shrink or anything so maybe I don't have depression, but I do get SAD. It's winter here in Baltimore and damn if it doesn't make me feel like crap. I really need to move to LA...

But I started collecting 80s/90s TV shows and movies more frequently in the winter I noticed. I've been dealing with heavy nostalgia for those two decades. It's something I think about constantly. So I started picking up shows and movies that take me back to that era when the world wasn't so messed up. Forget the fact the Cold War was ready to erase us all with nuclear Armageddon, I was too young to notice.

So I'm deep in buying DVD sets of Matlock, Knight Rider, Diagnosis Murder, 21 Jump Street, 90210, Baywatch, and so many more that take me back to that better time. Anyone else nostalgia buy to keep them from feeling down?

[JMS1223]

Yup, I definitely do the same. Nostalgia helps keep my mind on happier times. I love the 90s.

[edmonddantes]

hehe, same here but with the 80s, I started collecting C-64 games again and even music and computer magazines from that time. I always wanted to have a big room dedicated to the 80s, like a time travel capsule.

But yes, I guess when Im depressed I tend to collect more. I used to eat more too, but now Im sticking to collecting which is mor expensive but better for my health. I also Im buying more shows than movies lately, and its a good time for us 80s nostalgics, macgyver, hulk, a team, magnum, so many released on BD.

[Luke Dodge748]

Originally Posted by edmonddantes

I also Im buying more shows than movies lately, and its a good time for us 80s nostalgics, macgyver, hulk, a team, magnum, so many released on BD.

It really is. People talk about the death of physical media, but I don't think so. It's just changing from being in every box store row upon row of movies to more niche, like all the 80s shows you mentioned coming out on disc. It's incredible. It's truly a golden age for physical media!

[Monterey Jack]

If the winter chill has got you down, watch some cheesy T&A summer beach movies from the 80s. Always a pick-me-up, in more ways than one. The last movie I watched in 2021 was One Crazy Summer which is one dumb movie, but it was the perfect silly tonic to cap off a crappy year.

[Luke Dodge748]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

If the winter chill has got you down, watch some cheesy T&A summer beach movies from the 80s. Always a pick-me-up, in more ways than one. The last movie I watched in 2021 was One Crazy Summer which is one dumb movie, but it was the perfect silly tonic to cap off a crappy year.

One Crazy Summer is excellent! I've been meaning to get the WAC bluray, so thanks for the reminder. I watched Hotbodies, as a matter of fact. So yes, great recommendation. I really wish Summer School was coming sooner, but what's a few more weeks?? (Sort of a summer beach movie, right?)

[hagios]

I do enjoy collecting nostalgia from my younger years but not because of sadness but b/c of enjoyment!

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by Luke Dodge748

No, I'm not going to talk about how sad I am. I'm actually quite happy these days, considering the state of the world 2022. But I wanted to talk about why I collect, and how collecting helps me with "depression". I'm not seeing a shrink or anything so maybe I don't have depression, but I do get SAD. It's winter here in Baltimore and damn if it doesn't make me feel like crap. I really need to move to LA...

But I started collecting 80s/90s TV shows and movies more frequently in the winter I noticed. I've been dealing with heavy nostalgia for those two decades. It's something I think about constantly. So I started picking up shows and movies that take me back to that era when the world wasn't so messed up. Forget the fact the Cold War was ready to erase us all with nuclear Armageddon, I was too young to notice.

So I'm deep in buying DVD sets of Matlock, Knight Rider, Diagnosis Murder, 21 Jump Street, 90210, Baywatch, and so many more that take me back to that better time. Anyone else nostalgia buy to keep them from feeling down?

I buy stuff from my younger years all the time. It's great to relive some of those things. I do it for nostalgia and not to make me happy but, making a purchase to perk yourself up...people call that retail therapy.

Now, I have to ask one thing. You say that you get SAD. Is that capitalized for emphasis or does that mean you've been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder. It sounds, to me, like you could have it. That's why I ask. If you find yourself constantly having a case of the "winter blahs" I would talk to a doctor about it. In many cases, sitting in front of a UV lamp once a day for a bit makes things a lot better. It mimics the sunlight that you're missing and perks you up.

[sfmarine]

Love revisiting older shows from my childhood. Currently re-watching Baywatch. Got the entire set from Germany which includes (as a bonus), the unaltered cuts in OAR and all the original music as it was broadcast.

[october27]

It's not the best or worst solution but if i feel bad, spending money always makes me feel better.

[Member-222782]

I'm a 4 Season guy so I don't get sad or depressed over weather unless there's a prolonged heat wave in the Summer or a long cold spell in Winter. Neither are common in the Northeast where I'm from so it's not really an issue. If I had the money to choose where to live in the US I'd definitely pick California for the weather, though. I wouldn't mind perfect weather all year long, especially as I get older.

Now, TV shows. I grew up during the 80's so naturally I gravitate towards that era. To date, I've collected the majority of the shows I'm interested in save for maybe 1 or 2 (I wish Benson Complete Series would come out). I just took delivery of a French release of The A-Team Complete Series on Blu-ray, which made me very happy. I don't make nostalgia pickups - I just genuinely enjoy these shows from my own youth. Sometimes if I'm stumped on what to watch I tend to pick a TV show because they're shorter and easier to digest. I'm currently on my 5th re-watch of LOST - one of the very few modern shows I love.

[Dubstar]

I love collecting movies, CD's, magazines, knick knacks, but with the impending notion and actual moving into a much smaller living space, the downsizing and getting rid of stuff is gonna be painful.

[edmonddantes]

Originally Posted by Strakalo

It works for me too but not this time. There are so many bad things that happened recently, I am totally desperate. I even consulted a doctor and he prescribed me antidepressants. I bought meds at Canada Drugs[/URL] but haven't taken them yet. I hope everything will be better soon and it's just a life period.

good stuff, spamming in a serious thread about depression, pat yourself on the back

[NikolasFarrel]

When I'm depressed I go through my collection of retro games, organize them, break them down by genre. The main thing during depression is not to read or watch the news.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by NikolasFarrel

When I'm depressed I go through my collection of retro games, organize them, break them down by genre. The main thing during depression is not to read or watch the news.

I've been trying to do that, limit my news to maybe just to the 30 minute NBC Nightly News, or not at all - I've had to stop Facebooking too, thankfully Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok I can curtail and manage who and what I follow - so much of TikTok is so random and funny

[Lemmy Lugosi]

I no longer collect anything specific, just the very "cream of the crop" items from all of my different obsessions. Selling off/sold off everything else.

[An4h0ny]

OP, someone could write a book or PhD dissertation on this subject. This is a fascinating discussion. I also suffer from depression and anxiety. Collecting things is definitely a coping mechanism. For me it's about order vs chaos. Having my collection set up neatly and organized is like taking a mood stabilizer for my brain. It calms me.

For the ultimate in this experience I really love collecting every item in a set. When I completed my set of Frank Capra digibooks, I felt like I could climb a mountain. Just me?

Originally Posted by Lemmy Lugosi

I no longer collect anything specific, just the very "cream of the crop" items from all of my different obsessions. Selling off/sold off everything else.

I really like this idea,

Originally Posted by Strakalo

It works for me too but not this time. There are so many bad things that happened recently, I am totally desperate. I even consulted a doctor and he prescribed me antidepressants. I bought meds at Canada Drugs but haven't taken them yet. I hope everything will be better soon and it's just a life period.

It will get better. It always does! Life will go up and down. But it always evens out.

Give us an update. How are things today? I bet something good happened.

[Lemmy Lugosi]

Originally Posted by An4h0ny

I really like this idea.

It's been very helpful for me on several levels, including my anxiety and depression levels. Once I began to see the dollars just flow into the cash boxes when I did shows/eBay/etc (I have collected cool stuff off and on for 58 years, folks), it made letting go of most things just about as easy as accumulating them in the first place.

When I collect something, I collect it. It always has led to too much. Letting go of things has become a much more fulfilling feeling for me.

[An4h0ny]

Originally Posted by Lemmy Lugosi

It's been very helpful for me on several levels, including my anxiety and depression levels. Once I began to see the dollars just flow into the cash boxes when I did shows/eBay/etc (I have collected cool stuff off and on for 58 years, folks), it made letting go of most things just about as easy as accumulating them in the first place.

When I collect something, I collect it. It always has led to too much. Letting go of things has become a much more fulfilling feeling for me.

I feel that.

I have kind of been doing something similar.

I have more books than anything.

What was the one thing you recently sold that a few years ago you wouldn't have dreamed of parting with?

[Lemmy Lugosi]

Originally Posted by An4h0ny

What was the one thing you recently sold that a few years ago you wouldn't have dreamed of parting with?

Several pieces of original art by 1960's/1970's Hot Wheels & model car designer Tom Daniel. Each of those pieces led to the design and manufacture of a model kit that you could eventually find for sale at retail. Some were fully fleshed-out pen-and-ink pieces with full-color watercolors applied. Others were simply sketches on tracing paper, yet they were all battled over by hordes of collectors when they were auctioned. Each one eventually created a very tidy profit for me to re-invest on other interests like electric guitars, old comics, etc.

The kicker? I still have the best stuff I obtained from Tom hidden away from sunlight in my office, where I can see them from here. Two big beautiful pieces left. I'll keep them for a while. Maybe someday.