Why Do I Not Feel The Need To Collect Anymore? - still love MLP

[LightingElectricDream]

Guys for the last 3 years I've really lost the motive to collect MLP. No clue why. I am not looseing interest. I just got a night glider Tattoo and my pony memories are super important and my happy place.
I just don't seem to get much of a spark while getting new mlp..unless I get it from the thrift store.
I just got an estate %100 complete with box and I just can't seem to enjoy it like I would have years ago..where I would have just cried like a baby to get it.

I don't think it's burn out..
I am not sure what it is. G1 MLP is a huge identy for me but I just don't seem to buy alot of it anymore. I just love MLP when I see them.

[Artemesia's Garden]

I hardly buy any new ones now. There was s time when I was really keen about accumulating new ones but now I'm just chasing a few items. But I'm still a very keen collector and I love to work on customs.

[RoseNoire]

Maybe you feel like you do not have enough room for any newcomer, maybe they feel too expensive compared to your current financial situation or you maybe have a nerverending list of ponies waiting for a spa or restoration.

Keeping a colletion is a more difficult task than peple would imagine. They are many more aspects than "hoard and display". It's normal to feel a bit overwhelmed or tired by your collection's needs. That's maybe why you can't have postive feelings over buying fresh and expensive ponies. Also, Paradise Estate is a huge playset, so that would make sense for the "lack of space" part.

Don't worry though, your love for mlp is still there. Maybe take a break, focus on your essentials, what makes you happy and take your time. Soon enough you will appreciate your collection a bit more than now and when you'll feel ready to buy new ponies and be happy about it.

Take care.

[Ponybookworm]

If you've been collecting as long or longer than I have (approaching 15 years), you will reach a point of having all  but the priciest of Ponies & accessories in your collection, which means what's left is harder to find AND harder to afford, so you're less likely to find something new & thrilling when you hunt. That takes a lot of the excitement away. Kind of glad I came here when I did, as barely on here a week & somebody has two Ponies I've wanted for a while!!! Still, that can get to few & far between.

Yep, storage becomes an issue as well. For Paradise Estate I saw another collector had split hers in half, so I did the same wi mine to make display easier if that helps (patio & two rooms attached for the first half, swimming pool & the other rooms for the second).

[banditpony]

Priorities and tastes can change as we get older

I'm almost opposite. I have joy when buying ponies, but not necessarily having them.

I had to thin the herd because really they weren't bringing me happiness-- even some childhood ponies (gasp). I'm down to a small number and cherish what I have. I still wanna buy, but I don't*.

*there's small exceptions to that, but it's a well thought out thing rather then impulse

[mlp4me]

PE is great if you're in it for a complete collection;  anywhoo congrats!!
Seems like the market is just so overinflated for cost right now, especially for the HTF stuff as Ponybookworm mentioned. I'm in the same boat as you tbh; I've taken a big step away from social media just to save up some funds and not freak at the prices of ponies. I know what my wish list is, but I am deterred because of cost. (Plus I got burned on a sea pony float (had the wrong one sent) recently so I'm still feeling a bit sad from that.)

[Minty_Magic]

I think it’s natural to go through waves as a collector! I have gone through spells where I don’t really feel like buying more ponies. Often for me it’s either a lack of space or a lack of funds.

You mentioned only feeling that spark if you buy from a thrift store. I’m kind of the same way. At this point I have most common ponies, so I don’t find much I “need” in the wild anymore, so I do buy more online. But there’s definitely something thrilling about finding a pony when you’re not expecting it! If that’s what makes you happy there’s nothing wrong with buying less ponies for a while. Besides, there are only so many to collect anyway

[tailrustedtealeaf]

I think it's much more fun to find a pony at a thrift store or for real cheap in an eBay lot than it is to just...buy it. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and that's what keeps me going. Although actually adding to my collection now isn't a big drive, I'm more happy to clean up doubles from the thrift store and sell them.
There are plenty of people not actively buying but still in the community. Priorities do change!

[Leave a Whisper]

That's okay. Sometimes you either get burnt out, or maybe your just done collecting. I recently decided that I was done collecting model horses with "maybe" the occasional impulse buy. Collecting is one part of the equation. Enjoying what you've got is another part.

[achab1984]

We change as we grow up and things also come back with time! What your feeling is normal for any collector of any kind of things! There is no need to worry. Put your pony stuff away and don't look at it for a while. Just don't go and sell it all! I have done that a few times and really wished that I did not! I also make my collection smaller and keep only the ones that I love to see!

[Septima Windsong]

I absolutely agree with everyone. Things change with time and it's normal. I remember how glad was I after getting new ponies when I was younger, I could spend a whole day taking care of them! Now when I just don't have so much time for this it doesn't mean there's no more special place for ponies in my heart Plus, after almost ten years of collecting I think my collection is nearly completed. I still seek for G1s, need some G3s and Equestria Girls Minis, but they're not the top priority. Sometimes it's really good to take a break in collecting to review everything you've got. Ponies bring more joy if you buy them less frequently I don't know about you, but it works for me! Maybe that's because I'm still glad about adding Seashell in my collection

[EnaRocketQueen]

Same, I love my ponies and look at them everyday but I'm not really interested in getting new ones at the moment

[Moonbreeze]

Same here. I'm content with what I have now, and the new ponies right now are just... eh...

[Tropical_Sunset]

It's pretty normal to go through phases as a collector. I was at a point for a few years that I didn't buy anything new. I was more than done with mane six variants and not finding much locally secondhand. HQG1Cs and the Basic Fun rereleases very recently renewed my interest in collecting. New pony goals to achieve. 

Take a break if you don't feel like collecting. You may start up again, you may not. Either way, don't stress about it.

[gabumon]

I have similar feelings as of late.  It might be a diminished Novelty Factor.  Like, I've sort of accumulated all this knowledge about MLP and I feel like there's not much more to learn - in most cases.  and not much more types of different MLP to collect..

For example I've seen G3.5 recently at thrift and like a forbidden fruit they've begun to capture my interest... kinda.  I've never collected G3.5 so they're novelty is fresh and it has a pull I must admit!