Collecting has always been part of human life, from porcelain figurines and souvenir spoons to today’s Lego sets, puzzles, sneakers, and Funko Pops. In this episode, we explore how modern collectibles reflect a cultural shift in how adults play, create, and connect with memories. We’ll look at why this resonates across generations, and how to enjoy these hobbies without letting them become overwhelming clutter.
In this episode we talk about:
- The evolution of collectibles from past generations to today’s adult hobbies
- How companies market nostalgia and play to grownups — and why it works
- The difference between curating with intention and unconsciously stockpiling
Mentioned in this episode:
- Lego’s adult collections and other modern hobby trends
- Practical tips for keeping collections joyful and intentional
- The Organized Flamingo’s philosophy: respecting memories while simplifying life
Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast
Review Transcript:
Welcome back to Organized and Cherish. I'm Stephanie, your host, and this week we have a really fun episode. In my opinion, it's all about the rise of adult collectibles, and we're going to talk about it with a fresh, new perspective because I think we tend to think about collectibles and chotkis and trinkets as a thing of our grandparents or parents or aunts and uncles in those old school homes.
Not realizing that. It also happens in the today as we're evolving, as we are all growing in different faces in our lives, we are still collecting things and I am noticing more and more that not just in stores, but also in conversations in marketing and in our homes. There is a rise of adult collectibles and hobbies like the stitching, even stickers, even with the Legos.
I'm sure you notice those. Some of the stuffed animals or charms that you hang from your purses. All of those things. Are also items that we collect that are just the new era, like the new way of collecting things for adults. Okay? So we're gonna talk about that, which I think is a super fun conversation.
Again, this is a no judgment zone. This is not a place where we go all the way to minimalist or maximalist. We don't adhere to the throw everything away, keep it simple. We're all about comfort. Giving you joy in your space as long as it's mentally and physically safe for you to be in and live in. So that can maybe mean for you that you're in your era of collecting, and that is okay, but we want to make it.
As healthy as possible also so that you don't leave behind all of your hobbies for your family and or loved ones and friends to have to deal with when maybe you have a plan for them now, and you can do it a little bit different than maybe your a loved one did for you and they left you with zero instructions.
Or any guidance on what they wanted to do with all their stuff. And then now you feel very guilty and now you have a whole pile of basements and garages of items that you don't know what to do with because you were left with no instructions. So we're trying to avoid all of that in today's episode and have fun and talk about all of our adult hobbies.
What can we do about it? Let me give you some tips on how to avoid the clutter. But enjoy it as much as you can and have fun with it. Okay, so here we go.
Welcome to the Organized and Cherish podcast with the Organized Flamingo. I am your host Stephanie, your compassionate and efficient professional organizer. Whether you are part of the sandwich generation helping a loved one declutter, or. Just trying to simplify life. This is the place for you. Together we will tackle those overwhelming piles of stuff, uncover purpose in what we keep, and let go with dignity and care, because it's not just about throwing everything away, it's about respecting memories and simplifying life.
Sound like a plan? Let's jump in and get organized. So let's rewind a bit. If you grow up visiting a grandparent's home, you probably saw maybe some China cabinets full of figurines or maybe decorative plates, maybe entire shelves of do not touch knick-knacks, multicultural homes. You have that other layer of anything cultural or items that remind them of, of home and or they brought with them.
So it's an entire collection of items that. A little different than we have today, but they were all up there displayed or in boxes and you knew it was kind of like the The special area, right? Or the, again, like the knickknacks collectibles. These were prized. They were collected. They were displayed, and sometimes they were dusted, sometimes they were forgotten over time, but you knew that was that special mural item corner place, right?
Then later through time. Came Beanie Babies, baseball cards, comic books, and dolls that sat in boxes as investments. It could have been either from your parents or yours. Like now we're coming to probably the, you know, late seventies, eighties, nineties, with all of these different types of collectibles. But nevertheless, if you can see the patterns and what, where I'm getting with this, it's different but the same.
Now, let's fast forward to today. And adults are also flocking to new type of collectibles and knickknacks, such as Legos. Maybe we've got everything from different variations of what they were before, but just in a new way. Especially when it comes to Legos. Let's just put that for a second. They're not very different than your great-grandfather's, grandfather's model, airplanes or trains.
Remember those? With Lacoss, they're sleek, they're very nostalgic because if you like them now as an adult in the 2020s, it most likely means that you grew up with them in those eight, late eighties, nineties eras. And now they're very sleek. They're sophisticated sets, they're designed specifically for grownups.
I, I was actually listening to, uh, an American Public Radio podcast episode all about this and the growth that Lego has had over the years. I mean, tremendous growth. I know in my area here in Colorado, we opened, we're opening a brand new Lego store. As of the fall of 2025. And there is this, some franchises like Lego, more mom and pop, smaller dealerships, dealers, dealers, dealerships, uh, that sell Legos, but they also have their own like hobby days or hobby areas or ho or parties like children parties or adult parties really where you build and or you all work together to build some new Legos and whatnot.
So. Those are kind of the equivalent of what used to be with terrain building and model, uh, little towns and things like that. You know, they're polished, they're, and they're marketed that way and sold as adult hobbies. And it's in the same story as the grandparents' home of the porcelain figurines and yaro who remembers yaro?
So in that same story is just a new chapter. And humans love to collect. It's part of how we mark identity, nostalgia, and creativity. We tell our story through these collectibles where we've been, where we'd like to go, items from our loved ones that they brought back, and it's a way to remember them. So we love collecting.
It's part of who we are, but what is the problem with that? The only problem here. Is that they accumulate and they accumulate things like dust and clutter and if they're sitting there and they're not being enjoy, enjoyed, they can create this really heavy visual clutter that you may not be realizing. So it's normal, but there is this nagging little side note that is a reminder to you saying, oh, I haven't cleaned it.
I haven't dealt with it. I haven't put it back. If it broke, I don't even like it, but I feel guilty because so and so brought it back from their travels overseas and now it becomes a burden. So there's this like side note, asterisk footnote to collecting that it's a beautiful hobby. But dot and fill in the blank.
And so that's what we're trying to talk about today and, and see how we can merge, enjoying those collectibles, enjoying your hobbies, displaying them with honor, but avoiding the clutter that may, you may be dealing with Now immediately as you're finishing the hobby or leaving behind something that you didn't really intend, but you've created.
For your, your loved ones and your children or friends that now have to deal with this stuff. So why now? Why la? Like for instance, like Legos. Why are collectibles aimed at adults again in such a big way in today's age? In our busy digital world, we crave tactile play, like we need to hold things still, which is why paper is still not completely gone, even though everyone wants to digitize every information piece, right?
Like your books and your notes and everything. Well, paper's still around. I, I have an entire episode on that. As much as I, I don't love paper personally. I do love like the journals and, and they make me feel very nostalgic. I'll be honest, I forget that I have it and it piles up and it creates like really heavy, heavy, um, guilt for me.
So I, on a personal basis, don't love printing or having paper. With that being said, holding it. I can learn much better when I am reading something in front of me. I can hold it, I can write it, I can practice it. So same thing with collectibles. And in today's world where we crave that tactile play, it's part of one of our sensors and sensory.
So something that's hands-on, we, we probably need it, we want it, we crave it. So something that slows us down is really important in the very fast paced world of technology. And building a Lego set or finishing a puzzle gives us that sense of completion. Like, you see it, you feel it. It just ignites so many of our, uh, emotions and all of our senses.
So I think another part of it is nostalgia. Um, the people that I work with you, this is one of their top reasons why they held onto something. Many adults grew up with these items, so buying them today feels like reclaiming a piece of childhood if they hold on to something from their loved ones. Um, it just creates a nostalgia like the, the, that once upon a time.
So it's a way to say, you know, I remember that really special moment and, and they hold onto it. Hi, cherish friends. Life can get overwhelming, especially when you're juggling caregiving, clutter and everything in between. That's why I created the Organizing Cherish Weekly email that goes out every Wednesday's straight to your in.
To help you keep the momentum inspiration going with tips and reminders of our upcoming events, all you have to do is head on over to organize and cherish.com and sign up for the email newsletter. It's free and you can up subscribe whenever you'd like. It's my way of helping you simplify your life and respecting memories along the way.
Now back to our show. The third reason though, I want to, what I want to highlight is marketing companies have realized that adults will spend a lot of money for that feeling. So even if you feel like, you know what, yeah, I do, I do need to slow down and, and do the stitching, you know, the today's, um, modern stitching.
It's been around forever, but now they're doing some really fun images and fun takes on it. Like you could do charms and stuff like that if you like stitching, cross stitching. Uh, and then for Legos, you know, it's the new modern, like replicas of like little towns and, and things like that. You may love to do it in marketing.
And marketing companies know that they know the once upon a time moment that you love doing that as a kid and they are going to target that feeling. So even if you love doing it, yes, but you actually don't, didn't realize you needed to keep it, and you're okay with letting it go, the marketing companies are going to make sure that you come back and do another one and another one, and that you keep it, display it, talk about it so that you can get your friends to do 'em as well, and it becomes contagious and they get their own set and so on and so forth.
So the marketing companies are absolutely going to give you. A big dose of, of that nostalgia so that you keep buying and building it and keeping it, which is a very important part of this conversation, by the way. It's not just a hobby of creating it or buying it and creating it, but now they're hoping you continue to buy another one and another one.
You keep it and you talk about it so that you can pass it on. From an organizer's perspective, here's. Where I, I just wanna make sure that we have the conversation and that you're aware that it's happening, so that you can decide for yourself how much you want to keep, where you want to keep it, is it worth it?
And just ask yourself those questions. So it's intentional because collectibles themselves aren't inherently a problem, just like your grandmother's figurines weren't the problem. The key here is, was it intentional? Does it spark joy? You know, we know that famous line. Is it making you happy every time you look at it, is it making you happy?
Yes. Do you enjoy it? Does it give you that joy? You enjoy cleaning it because by the way, they need to be dusted or, and or kept in a dust free, you know, glass cabinet. But then if you have that cabinet, is isn't in the way And is it creating more clutter? So, and does that bring you joy? So maybe the item brings you joy, but keeping it and maintaining it does not therefore.
Maybe you're a good candidate to just go to the store to look at them or go to a museum, go and view and have them give you that happy in a different way. Maybe you can follow a creator online that does this professionally and go to their blog page, go to their magazine, read their book, look at their pictures, and get the happy that way instead of you trying to collect it yourself.
But there's nothing, of course, with it creating and giving you joy. It's just that it comes with layers of keeping up with it, and I want to make sure that those are intentional and that you understand that that may not create joy for you. Okay? So if it's giving you joy, wonderful. What about does it foster creativity?
For some of you, it's the need or want to give you some reminders of youthfulness or creativity. This is very like really big for artist. If you're like an artist, listener, a creative listener, you need those things around you. But sometimes you actually need a blank slate and you need to start over. But if it's offering creativity, awesome.
Keep it right, just like maybe for the, some of your loved ones, but if that's the case, like if it's giving you joy and creativity, wonderful. Make sure you have a plan. Or at least think about what happens when you're no longer feeling creative with those things. Are you okay with tearing them apart, giving them away to someone else, selling them?
Are you okay that if you move, the inevitable will have to happen? You will have to make the choice of moving it and paying someone to move them for you or taking them apart and accepting that they may come undone very big with Legos. I've had many clients where they have paid us to move it. It was not cheap.
They decided it was worth it for some people, you know, that will be a break. Make it or break it point for them. So think about those things. Um, does it lead to memory making? And if it does, can you do it in another way? Can you take a picture, create a photo book, and create that memory that way so it doesn't have to just sit there and forevermore and not offer you any, um, like blank space because sometimes we do need blank spaces in our lives.
Those are a couple of my perspectives and and options that you have there. If it's piling up in a closet and in boxes, maybe untouched taking up space and slowly creating some guilt, maybe that's not a good idea. That does not sound joyful to me. That sounds like you're just collecting it just to collect it.
And if you have remorse about buying it, try to sell it for as much as you can and move on. Move on to another hobby, move on to something else that will bring you the joy instead of the guilt. That is a, that is a fine line that we all have to walk and we do have to ask ourselves those questions. It's not always as simple yes or no type of answer.
Some of you might have to think about it. So I like to say that there's a difference between curating with intention and stockpiling without doubt. Curating with intention is creating a memorable hobby and collection that you could admire, enjoy. It brings you maybe talking points when you have friends over and it's lovely.
You, you are doing this on purpose, but then there's stockpiling without thought. That's where you got on this trend and almost like an addiction, but not quite. It's this like, oh my gosh, this, I, I have to buy it. I have to have it too. Keeping up with all of your friends and now you're stockpiling and there's no thought.
You don't, you really didn't mean to, but now it became a really big problem. I saw this quite a bit with Beanie Babies, that Beanie Baby era. People were just buying it. Without really thinking through what would happen if they didn't sell, or even if they did, were you going to ship it? Were you going to take care of them?
You know, did you, do you know the history and understand collecting things? Um, and so people just kind of stockpiled and then it became boxes and boxes full of items that are not worth very much anymore, all stockpiling down in their basement. Let's talk about practical tips for intentional collecting.
If you're listening and thinking that, yes, maybe I do have some of these collections. It could be Lagos, it could be whatever, it's cross stitching. Here are a few quick ways to keep it intentional. We talked about the displaying it and don't stash it, so if it matters to you, let it be seen. A Lago set out on the shelf is enjoyed, and a Lago set in a box in the garage is a burden.
So display it, have it be a conversational piece. Choose one or two or three that are your artwork. Like it. It's how you start a conversation. You showcase what you're into and your love and and interest in whatever the topic may be. Set boundaries. Super important. We have endless episodes on this. Very important because this is where you ahead of time.
Determine how much to have and when it's too much. You know, like what is your limit? So it's set boundaries. Choose a space, maybe it's a shelf, maybe it's a cabinet, maybe it's a wall. And let that be the limit. Maybe it's a number. So if we know no more than 10, 15, 20, a hundred, when it's full, it's time to decide do I add something new or do I let something go?
And be really intentional about it. Make it Social Collections are super fun when you connect with others. And you, when you build it together, share stories, you know, and you invite loved ones into the experience. So make it something where maybe you go build it somewhere else and you leave it there. So is it the action of creating it or is it the actual item?
And keeping that long term, because maybe you just enjoy making it, but not necessarily keeping it. So make it social. Go out and do it. And then if you still want to keep it, create it yourself and keep it in in your space. Check your, why are you collecting because it excites you or because you feel like you should keep it with the others?
And then lastly, have a plan. What am I going to do? Who does this collection go to? Do they even want it? And if I've asked all of my loved ones and they said, no, they don't. Am I okay with whatever happens? That this will either end up in the trash end up being donated, or do you want them to sell it for a set price or ask like a museum, you know, depending on what your collection is, but have an intention and have a plan with what to do with it in case nobody wants it, because that is the reality.
People might not want it apart from you, and I want you to accept that and be okay with that as much as you can. Okay? Because this is your collection and your hobby, not someone else's. So don't fall into the same patterns that our ancestors went to, where they made us feel guilty about keeping things that we didn't want or need.
Okay. Because in the yesteryear there was a little bit more intentionality. They would buy an heirloom because they thought that they were saving the family money. You know, they would buy the one set or the one piece, and they would pass it on generations to generation, maybe as a wedding gift or as a birthday gift, or as a graduation gift.
Because they thought, well now I'm saving you the hassle of buying yours. I invested in this and it was okay at that time, but now times have changed. So being okay with it being gone because you don't know what the future will hold is something we need to accept. So that is what we're talking about this week.
I'd love to hear, are you collecting anything and what are your thoughts? Are you feeling good about your collection? Do you have a plan? I'd love to showcase and ask you some questions because this is such a hot topic right now with all the latest ways, uh, you know, for adults to decompress, which is turning into hobbies and collections, and it makes me so happy to see.
But as an organizer, I can see the other side of how that can impact future generations. Let's have a conversation about it, shall we? Alright, until next week, happy organizing. Thank you for listening to the Organized and Cherish podcast with the Organized Flamingo. If you enjoy today's episode, I'd be so grateful if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast player.
It helps others discover our show. For full show notes, resources, and more organizing inspiration, visit www.theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast. Until next time, happy organizing.