QUESTION Are you more happy when pins are released that you DO need or that you DON'T need?

This question occurs to me every time a new flyer pops up.

For me, as a completist in my theme, I'm more relieved when I DON'T need anything new than when I do! 😀

Probably because there are always pins being released that I do need that it's easy to get overwhelmed.

So which way do you lean? Relieved when there is nothing you need or happy when there is?

And why?

Ooh what a good question! 😄

I was about to poll by saying I’m happy when I do need newly announced pins but then I had to stop myself with the reality that often even if I feel I do need it I end up not getting the chance to get it. Since I’m not a completist, it at least doesn’t make my collection incomplete. But it does cause a bit of a letdown.

So I think I’m overall more happy when I I *don’t* need any related pins, and I can be happy seeing the collection from a far rather than trying to figure out how I can get it 😅

Most new pin acquisitions for me these days are when I find a cute BoxLunch series I want to buy a few boxes for, or if there are pins that aren’t in such high demand that stand out to me. Anything released with a hype is pretty much out for my collection unless I get in before the hype somehow.

The chase of collecting can be fun, but it can also be risky for the heart! 😁

I agree with the getting overwhelmed, but mostly I focus on the fun of the hunt. I love to trade... its about the process. Without new pins to chase I would have less to chase and so attending a PTE (online or in person) may be more disappointing than rewarding. The success of trading for a pin I am ISO and the feeling of that success is a high I absolutely adore.

I was curious if this was just me stressing when new pins come out for my primary Wonderland collection as a completist because if I see it, I need it, and it can get exhausting.

I think with my more mellow secondary Marvel collection where I just collect what I like, it stresses me out less when I see something I want - I just add it to my wants list and if I get it, great.

I also wonder if a difference is how long you've been collecting - when you're new are you more excited or more overwhelmed by new releases? And if you've been collecting a while, does it make us crankier? lol

Boooooth? Is both an option? 😉 LOL

I think I am more excited when a new pins drops for a collection if either it is a collection that doesn't get new pins often (like Gerald or Mr. Carrot or dare I wish for Brave Little Toaster) or if it's something outside of an expected drop (like an anniversary or new movie debuting like right now with ZooTwopia), because then it's more of a surprise. If it's a more common collection, a currently hyped type of release (like Adorbs), and/or if it's using recycled artwork, I get less excited. I still love the thrill of the hunt but it's easier to get overwhelmed with the latter than the former.

Mostly, it's relief when my themes aren't represented. However, if it's something like a Christmas pin with Alice then I'm more excited because it's a two-for-one. Wilderness Lodge Resort Holiday with Humphrey is a 3-fer! When they put Humphrey on the Ft. Wilderness pin like this year, instead it's a downer, because then I still need the Wilderness Lodge pin for that collection, but also the Ft. Wilderness one for my Humphrey collection. It's Resort Holiday, so I would buy them all anyway, but the more collections that are hit with a single pin, the better it is.

I get excited for new pins that fit my collections but mostly for easier to obtain ones. When they’re WDI and such, that does stress me a little, since I buy more than I trade. I also acquire Disney direct and Disney license, and sometimes those licensees are out of control (looking at you PALM and Loungefly), but I like them, so they go on the want list, and I love the search and chase.