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Re: Collecting Dilemma...Where to go from here?
I think what you describe is pretty typical/normal for long time collectors.
I started getting back into Transformers way back around Armada/Energon. I grew up in the 80's and my mind was blown when I saw they finally had made a Unicron. By the time Cybertron hit I was buying everything. Then I was buying all the MP's, lots of 3rd party, etc. I topped out around 1500 figures.
Along the way I started finding a lot of figures didn't hold my interest for long. I found I had other priorities for money as the hobby got more expensive. I also found I didn't really have the space for everything. I worried too about what I would do if I moved, I was spending too much time every time I wanted to reorganize my space.
I took a step back and look at what I really wanted out of my collection. The answer to that is different for every collector. I decided to start selling off a lot of my collection and it's been a slow ongoing process. It's helped me put in perspective figures I buy - I try to imagine the future of that figure. If I can see myself losing interest and it ending up in storage and later being sold I just save myself the hassle and don't buy it. If I don't see that and legitimately feel I'll enjoy having the figure I pick it up.
I try and set rules of what I'm collecting, but the rules seem to always shift, but I come close to following them.
Right now my displayed collection is mostly Decepticons - CHUG, MPs, G1 and Beast Wars show characters. I sub out original Beast Wars for modern figures (MPs/CHUG) when they come out. I also have a specific Beast Wars Megatron collection displayed as well. There are some other odds and ends, but that's the just of it.
As I started selling, I found parting with some figures easier than others. If I'm in doubt I try to hold off on selling those ones, but once I get over the doubt I haven't had any regrets. Having less stuff somehow frees you and it's also nice to have some extra space - even if you just spread your collection out better.
I guess my point is you don't have to give it all up; you can try to focus your collection on what gives you the most enjoyment rather than the "catch 'em all" mentality.
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