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1Why we like collecting things
People collect all sorts of things. I collect fridge magnets, so my fridge has slowly become a colourful map of everywhere I've been. I also have fond memories of collecting rocks and shells from the beach with my mum when we'd visit the coast in summer. It's true that some people collect natural objects such as fossils and interesting stones, while others bring home souvenirs from their travels.
There are also people collecting miniature versions of real commercial products and tiny replicas of familiar objects, for example scaled-down retro toys, classic board games and action figures. In this way, collectables can be both decorative and functional, giving us something nostalgic to look at or fiddle with when bored.
But why do people have such a strong desire to collect things? One explanation is that collecting gives us a sense of order and achievement. Happiful, a mental health and wellbeing magazine, wrote that adding to a collection creates a sense of progress and accomplishment.
According to an article published in the Journal of Consumer Research, titled Seeking Structure in Collections: Desire for Control Motivates Engagement in Collecting, collecting can help people feel more in control. It explains that collections can become an extension of our identity. The things we collect reflect our hobbies, interests and loyalties.
However, not everyone believes collecting is beneficial. Advocates of minimalism argue that owning fewer possessions improves wellbeing. As Beverley D'Silva reported for the BBC, the simplicity associated with a minimalist lifestyle may even contribute to greater happiness. From this perspective, filling our homes with collections can seem more like unnecessarily hoarding clutter. There is also an important distinction between thoughtfully curating your collection and simply accumulating more possessions.
The Journal of Consumer Research article warns that some collectors can be drawn into excessive spending, especially when companies release new or rare additions to collections that were once considered complete. In those cases, collecting may be driven less by passion and more by pressure.
Despite this, collecting remains as popular as ever. Perhaps the reason collecting endures is simple – collections tell stories. And displaying these collections can be just as satisfying as finding them. Happiful describes collections as a kind of self-portrait, reflecting our interests, personality and memories. Whether it's fridge magnets, shells or action figures, the real value often lies not in the objects themselves, but in the memories and meanings attached to them.
词汇表
fridge magnets [ˈfrɪdʒ ˌmæɡnɪts] 冰箱贴
fond [fɒnd] adj. 深情的，快乐美好的
souvenir [ˌsuːvəˈnɪə(r)] n. 纪念品，纪念物
miniature [ˈmɪnətʃə(r)] n. 微缩物，微小模型
replica [ˈreplɪkə] n. 复制品，仿制品
scaled-down [skeɪld daʊn] adj. 缩小的，按比例缩减的
retro toys [ˈretrəʊ] 复古玩具
board games 桌游，棋盘游戏
action figures 动作人偶，手办
collectable [kəˈlektəbl] adj. 值得收藏的；n. 收藏品，珍藏物
nostalgic [nɒˈstældʒɪk] adj. 怀旧的，令人怀念的
fiddle with [ˈfɪdl] 摆弄，拨弄
advocate [ˈædvəkət] n. 提倡者，拥护者
minimalism [ˈmɪnɪməlɪzəm] n. 极简主义
simplicity [sɪmˈplɪsəti] n. 简单，朴素；简约
minimalist [ˈmɪnɪməlɪst] adj. 极简主义的；n. 极简主义者
hoard clutter [hɔːd ˈklʌtə(r)] 囤积杂物
curate [kjʊəˈreɪt] vt. 精心挑选，策划；管理，照料
be drawn into 被卷入，被吸引进（不好的情况）
endure [ɪnˈdjʊə(r)] vi. 持久，持续存在，经久不衰
self-portrait [ˌself ˈpɔːtreɪt] n. 自画像，自我写照
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