The MLP Arena
Pony Talk => Pony Corral => Topic started by: banditpony on May 15, 2017, 07:26:24 AM
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Hey all,
Sometimes I think I'm holding onto some of my ponies for the wrong reason.
But I feel so conflicted about letting them go. There's only 3 left. I have really happy memories of all of them, and they really meant a lot to me AT THAT TIME. I love that they are survivors...
But why am I keeping them JUST because they were mine as a kid??
Have any of you let go of your childhood herd and felt good about it?
I never felt like I wanted to be a person to find a home for my ponies but have some sort of stipulation about it. I wouldn't want them to be restored or customized... just cleaned up and taken care of (Like displayed, but not put in a box in storage). T_T; I always felt like it was WRONG to ask someone to take care of an item after they purchase it, because the new owner should feel not constricted...
and I wish I had a good friend who liked ponies, because then I could just gift them the ponies and not feel worried about it... but... I dunno. :cry: I don't really have anyone.
Thoughts?
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But why do you WANT to let them go? Three isn't many, so it's not a space issue... You sound very conflicted about it... There's nothing wrong with holding onto your favorite childhood toys--everyone I know has at least a few of their old dolls or such around the house. Someday, you may even want to share them with your children or grandchildren (I loved seeing my mother's old toys when I was a child--they fascinated me). They will always be special, because you can say "I played with these when I was your age!".
Personally, I could never let go of my childhood ponies. They may not be in mint condition, but they remain my favorites out of my entire collection. <3
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my child hood herd was 150 strong , never thought of parting with them and don't think i ever will they all have memories connected to them as my mum and grandparents got me them and as they are no longer with me the ponies remind me of them.
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Why...
Mostly to own less things in general. I am a collector, but at the same time I hate owning stuff. I think in the future I will have a smaller living space, so it's something I want to consider.
Out of my 25ish ponies in my current collection, two of my childhood ponies are the ones I like the least. And the only reason I'm keeping onto them is because they were mine... but... I don't think THAT alone is a good enough reason. It is emotional and that scares me.
But joy then doesn't always equate to joy now. But I have a hard time letting go. <-- Conflict!
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They're your ponies, so you can do what you like with them. Maybe just keep one out of the three? There's no obligation for you to keep them if you don't want them, and you could sell/trade them for ponies you do want.
But just make sure you're doing it because you really want to. Remember you're lucky to still have your childhood ponies. I know I'm not the only MLP collector who had ponies as a child but was talked into giving them away when my family and friends convinced me I was too old for them.
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Yeah, it makes me sad to hear stories when kids were forced to give up their ponies (or worse when the ponies were just taken away with no consulting).
It was the opposite for me. There was a lot of guilt involved when I decided I was done with a toy. "You are going to regret this" etc. Or some sort of hurt that I was causing because I was getting rid of an item that "so and so" gave to me.
Unfortunately that sort of still holds true... and in general it's hard to let go.
That's why maybe hearing a story of someone letting go, but still remaining in the community would be nice to hear.
And on the flip side I struggle with wanting some sort of "control" of them if they left my hands. That control just being that they were left as-is (no customs or heavy restore) and left out on display. It'd just make me sad to think another owner would just box them up. And that's no business of mine what someone else would do, and I don't know how to rid myself of that feeling.
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There are so many toys I recognize from my childhood that I pass up at thrift stores. "Ooh! I had that as a kid!" and I move on with no desire to keep it for my adult self.
I actually didn't find MLP until I was 15, so I don't have a "Childhood" collection perse.
About half of America can relate with you on giving up a collection alltogether (Beanie Babies anyone!? haha)
I would say that if they're fairly common it's just fine to keep them because if you are indeed feeling conflicted, you might regret it later.
Just 3 ponies don't take up much space at all, but If you really truly feel like you don't want them around then let that speak for itself! You can love the memories of MLP without having to own the toys.
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As someone who has been collecting since I was six - I'm nineteen now - I can claim that most of my ponies are my 'childhood herd'. At one point I had about 200 ponies! Over the years the herd has been pruned down to my absolute favorites and I regret none of it. It gives me the space and money to support things I do enjoy. :lovey:
As a general rule, if I don't use or appreciate something within a year, I don't need it. (Exceptions apply to books, movies, and video games because I don't re-read / watch those very often anyway.) You could put them in storage for a while and think it over. :> If you want to keep them, great, if not that's fine too.
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Wow, Sundown. 200-->6 is a big difference!
Thank you for sharing~ It gives me a bit more confidence. ^^
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I don't have my childhood pony. Although I wish I did. I find that most of the toys I care about most now are ones I got rid of never thinking that I'd miss them. Whereas the ones I kept because I thought I would miss them I don't really care much about most of them and will be sending them to new homes eventually.
If you want to know your ponies will be taken care of, just choose your buyer carefully. I personally came across someone's childhood collection. When they sold them to me I got to hear some of the ponies stories, and was really touched when she asked me to love them as much as she did. The ones included in that sentiment I definitely view differently than the rest of my collection and if at some point I were to relocate any of those ones in particular I would be very choosy over where they went lol.
I personally wouldn't opt to sell your childhood ponies (especially since it's only 3), but I did want to make sure you know, there are people out there who will take care of them the way you're hoping if they know :) Again, you just need to choose the buyer carefully.
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As someone who has zero of my childhood ponies, I would absolutely hold on to them, even if it means boxing them up for the future in case you regret rehoming them. I do have a childhood Bushwoolie, and he will never be leaving my collection :)
I did find childhood photos showing I owned a Parasol, and a Tiddlywinks. Both of which I bought as an adult and have kept in my collection as "surrogate" childhood ponies.
I think if you do decide to rehome them, pick someone who will keep all three together permanently, and will keep them on display together. And also maybe add in that if in the future you want them back, maybe the new buyer would be willing to part with them in case that ever happens. I think its tricky to guarantee those conditions, but maybe someone will be willing.
Ultimately it is your decision, so if you feel strongly about letting them go, than I would do it!
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I remember seeing my childhood ponies (bar a few that escaped the cull) being sold at a car boot sale because I was too old to have them. And it tore me in to the mad that got them was odviously going to split and sell them for a profit.
The ones I rescued I actually forgot about for a long time (they fell out of boxes in the attic) but found again then I started to try and find the ones I had lost. I think if they are taken from you it is different from if you sell then when you are ready.
Personally I have now my entire childhood herd back (even if they are not original) and none of them are going anyware ever again. Even if the rest of the collection does. But if you are ready to part with them I see not reason not to put them up for sale but ask for them not to be altered in any way.
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Most of the stories you hear about people giving up their childhood ponies end in regret, but that may well be reporting bias since those who were fine with the decision later would be less likely to need to talk about it. Given it's only three ponies, I'd keep them. There's no way for you to get those exact ponies back later on.
Ultimately it depends if they're making you feel better or worse by having them. If owning the three actively causes you to feed bad, then it's probably time for them to move on. If it's just a neutral state, keep them, reevaluate in a few years.
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but... I don't think THAT alone is a good enough reason. It is emotional and that scares me.
Why would something emotional be a scary thing? o_0
There's so much pressure these days to 'do the right thing' or 'be productive.' People look down on you for just having something because you want to have it, or for keeping something just because there's an emotional connection.
It's not bad or wrong to keep something because you have emotions attached to it, you know? Not everything in your life has to 'be productive' or 'have a purpose.' Sometimes you just keep something because you like it. It reminds you of happy times, and you are able to remember those happy times better when you look upon it. That's my belief, anyway. :)
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Losing my childhood ponies is my biggest regret. I only have 2 childhood ponies. Yes I have tons of other ponies now. I tell myself upgrading is easier this way. Though it still hurts me. :/ I been meaning to downgrade but I havent been able to bring myself to prune the g3s or g4s. Maybe someday I will but until then I will keep them. G3s and the latter wont move as fast if I tried to get rid of them.
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but... I don't think THAT alone is a good enough reason. It is emotional and that scares me.
Why would something emotional be a scary thing? o_0
The feelings of "guilt" and "regret" are unpleasant feelings...
I know that someone would be pretty mad at me for making the choice of getting rid of a childhood toy. Guilt.
Most stories you hear are the sad stories where people wished they had the ponies they owned as a child. Regret.
I don't want to be controlled by that (which is scary). I don't want to keep a pony in my collection just because I fear I will regret letting go. That's not a reason to keep something.
ETA:
;__; It breaks my heart when I hear stories of people wanting their childhood ponies back.
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Why do you only look on the bad side of the situation? Rather than think "I don't want this because I feel regret keeping it" instead think "It's okay for me to keep this, because it makes me happy to have it around." You're allowed to have things around you because they make you happy.
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Why do you only look on the bad side of the situation? Rather than think "I don't want this because I feel regret keeping it" instead think "It's okay for me to keep this, because it makes me happy to have it around." You're allowed to have things around you because they make you happy.
Because it's hard for me to let things go, especially something I've owned all my life. They WERE important to me as a child. I am not sure if I said they make me happy NOW.
But it's not that black / white. It's really hard.
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Why do you only look on the bad side of the situation? Rather than think "I don't want this because I feel regret keeping it" instead think "It's okay for me to keep this, because it makes me happy to have it around." You're allowed to have things around you because they make you happy.
Because it's hard for me to let things go, especially something I've owned all my life. They WERE important to me as a child. I am not sure if I said they make me happy NOW.
But it's not that black / white. It's really hard.
I dont remember who said this but, They have a saying: If you have it in your hand and it does not make you happy let it go. :/ Even though I regretted what I did in the past what is done is done.
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Why do you only look on the bad side of the situation? Rather than think "I don't want this because I feel regret keeping it" instead think "It's okay for me to keep this, because it makes me happy to have it around." You're allowed to have things around you because they make you happy.
Because it's hard for me to let things go, especially something I've owned all my life. They WERE important to me as a child. I am not sure if I said they make me happy NOW.
But it's not that black / white. It's really hard.
I dont remember who said this but, They have a saying: If you have it in your hand and it does not make you happy let it go. :/ Even though I regretted what I did in the past what is done is done.
I feel like that's what's happening... they aren't bringing me happiness now -- even though they did in the past, and I have really clear happy memories of them.
Anyway, thank you everyone for your thoughts and opinions <3
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Time for a "I gave up a childhood toy and don't regret it" story:
I used to have a P.J. Sparkles bear that I had since I was three. As a child, she was my favorite toy, and I loved her to bits. However, as time went on, she got ragged and as my collection of stuffed animals grew, I lost interest in her and put her in storage. Somewhere in my teens, I got overwhelmed with my collection and ended up donating a good chunk of it. I debated whether or not to donate her, only to realize that she had been storage in a while now, and I didn't feel the same connection as I did back a child. So, I donated her.
I do miss her from time to time, but I also realized that if I kept her, she would still be storage.
My advice? Put your childhood ponies either in storage or in the closet, somewhere out of sight. Let some time pass, and if you don't miss them, then you know that you can part with them without problem.
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If you feel conflicted, I'd hold off on making a decision about them.
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Please think it over a lot. I really wish I never sold my childhood herd of about 150 ponies. I have three left and don't think I will ever part with them.
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Personally I would hold onto them for a little longer and give yourself more time to think about it and don't pressure yourself to make a decision you're not ready for. I feel like it's only 3 ponies, so what's the big deal about keeping them? They don't take up much space and yes, there is that possibility of regretting selling them so make sure you're ready.
My mom talked my into throwing my Dream Castle in the garbage :cry: before I got back into collecting. Nothing wrong with it, it was missing the smaller wall. I think I would be less upset if it had gone to good will for someone else to enjoy. Which leads me to the flip side, if you sell them or donate them they will go to someone that wants them and will enjoy them. I think it's perfectly ok to ask in the listing to please not customize them. I bought a NBBE Baby Halfnote on ebay that was missing her tail. The seller put in the listing to please not customize her childhood pony. I thought that was very sweet that she still cared about how she would be treated in her new home. I had no intentions of customizing her anyway but now I feel a special connection with that pony and I'm giving her a new tail and she will have a special place in my collection.
Try not to stress about it too much. You have all the time in the world to decide. Don't feel guilty that someone bought them for you. We all can't possibly keep every gift for ever and ever. Make sure they make you happy though. And it's perfectly ok to ask that they go to a home that they will not be customized and get to be on display. Nothing wrong with that but also be prepared that you no longer have control after that and circumstances change and they could be sold again or put into storage at some point.
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My advice? Put your childhood ponies either in storage or in the closet, somewhere out of sight. Let some time pass, and if you don't miss them, then you know that you can part with them without problem.
This is really good advice! There's no need to get rid of something just because it's "taking up space" if it makes you happy, but if they're not bringing you some happiness, then putting them in storage would be a good test of that. :)
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My advice? Put your childhood ponies either in storage or in the closet, somewhere out of sight. Let some time pass, and if you don't miss them, then you know that you can part with them without problem.
This is really good advice! There's no need to get rid of something just because it's "taking up space" if it makes you happy, but if they're not bringing you some happiness, then putting them in storage would be a good test of that. :)
Gonna have to second this. Most of my collection is in storage for the time being (it's pretty large and small apartment) but whenever I take them out I feel so happy seeing them. Sometimes even just putting away something that no longer makes me happy for a bit can completely change that. When I see it again it's like there was never an issue.
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My advice? Put your childhood ponies either in storage or in the closet, somewhere out of sight. Let some time pass, and if you don't miss them, then you know that you can part with them without problem.
This is really good advice! There's no need to get rid of something just because it's "taking up space" if it makes you happy, but if they're not bringing you some happiness, then putting them in storage would be a good test of that. :)
Gonna have to second this. Most of my collection is in storage for the time being (it's pretty large and small apartment) but whenever I take them out I feel so happy seeing them. Sometimes even just putting away something that no longer makes me happy for a bit can completely change that. When I see it again it's like there was never an issue.
This so much is my test. I at one point put my G4's in storage, and thought about selling them. When I pulled them back out, it was the best feeling, and I decided to keep them. Make the decision at a time when there's less pressure, as you seem to be stressed about 'having less things' right now. Downsize other things, and come back to ponies again later. Make the decision when you have less things, and you aren't actively downsizing your entire life, feeling like something NEEDS to go to make you feel better.
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You shouldn't feel guilty letting go of your childhood toys just because others didn't get to keep theirs. Everybody has different experiences. My partner doesn't have a single one of his childhood toys anywhere. There are also very few photos of him from when he was a kid. It's just the way he and his family are. They're not particularly tied to mementos; he has pleasant memories without having to be reminded by a Transformer or a particular action figure or photo of those memories. I'm not the same way, so I sometimes get annoyed by his lack of sentimentality, and he gets annoyed because I sometimes have too much of it. I still have many of my childhood toys, because they're thankfully pretty portable.
However, about a year ago, I had to let go a lot of my childhood books for a number of reasons. It was painful and I felt sad about it, but there was also a level of relief knowing that the boxes of books wouldn't be taking up space in my dad's house anymore. It was also a relief because it was something that had been weighing on my mind for several years. Every time I would go visit, I'd have to see that stack of boxes full of books, and try to figure out what to do with them. Should I ship them to Australia en masse? Send over one at a time? Open them up, and take favourites back in my suitcase?
In the end, circumstances cut my deliberating short, and I had to make a snap decision. That decision was to take my 15 favourites back in my suitcase, send a couple of boxes to my nephews, and donate the rest to the library en masse. There were nearly 400 books that went, in the end, including childhood favourites, gifts from family, and text books that I used after graduation for work. They all went, though.
Will I regret having given those books to the library at some point?
Maybe. But that's not something I dwell on.
All that said, the fact that you're worried about what happens to the ponies after they leave your hands indicates, to me at least, that you're not ready to let them go. Or at least not all of them. The fact that you don't want them altered or tucked away means you're probably still very attached to them, and that's okay.
I second the others' recommendations to take them off display for a bit and put them into boxes. If you forget about them, or feel no joy when you get them back out again, it's time to let them go.
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Thank you Lhianneth for your story. :)
The guilt doesn't come from other pony owners, but my father who has always been upset with me when I get rid of certain things. It sticks with me.
I chose to go ahead and do it (2 out of 3). This is been something that I have been thinking about for over a year now. I feel like the time is right...
I'm just trying to manage the anxiety.
Boxing things up doesn't work for me. It will just cause a whirlwind of emotion when I open up the box. Although I know it's a great tactic for others.
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Before I moved from Rhode Island to Kentucky I gave away the 7 or so ponies I had to a friend who was several years younger than me. I thought I was too old and she was more than happy to take them. Att the time it felt good but when you become and adult and start getting into MLP again it doesn't feel so good. If I had known many years down the road I would have been into MLP again I would have hung onto my ponies. One,
because they have sentimental value because of all the memories I had playing with them. You can always buy the ponies you had again but they won't truly be the same ponies.
Hanging onto your childhood ponies for the simple reason that they were your childhood ponies is reason enough to hang onto them.
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I'm glad that you found something that worked for you, bandit. :)
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I would give anything to be reunited with my childhood herd, went the typical way of ending up with younger cousins and that, though I dont remember ever being asked about that
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Don't worry about being too anxious. We all have to do what's right for us, and only we know the answer in ourselves.
Although, I wish I could find my childhood ponies :( I had Mountain Boys, Nightlight, a few mail orders, Perfume Palace, a herd of TAF's & Dance & Prance, a few bits from the Paradise Estate...
Sadly, I moved house when I was 15 and we noticed a few things that we were sure went into the moving van never arrived at our new place. Convinced a bunch of stuff was stolen but we didn't notice until we'd unpacked everything and found that things were missing.
I know I packed them onto that moving van. If by some miracle they found their way back to me, I'd never let them out of my sight! There's absolutely nothing wrong with hanging onto things that have sentimental value. Actually, that's what the majority of my possessions are made up of :lol:
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Wow, Sundown. 200-->6 is a big difference!
Thank you for sharing~ It gives me a bit more confidence. ^^
I think you misread my post; I began collecting when I was six years old. ;) My collection now consists of 50 or so ponies of various generations and sets -enough variety to keep things interesting.
I hope your decision works out for you. c:
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I regret selling mine... and I do not aspire to own the complete collection of MLP.
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I sold my childhood ponies i didnt like and upgraded my well played with childhood ones. I have no regrets at all and i sold them years ago. Enjoy the ponies you do like, childhood memories are still always with you :)