The collector's dilemma !

As an existential question, the separation of a large part of our collection can quickly become a matter of concern for a person like me, who has spent the past seventeen years piling up all kinds of machines and games. As I approach my forties, this question gradually appears in my mind, to the point of provoking a dilemma that is pulling me from all sides. I imagine that the fact of considering to do without a few masterpieces, or to get rid of all your possessions, is a mandatory step for any self-respecting collector. Today, more than ever, I am divided between the instinct of conservation and accumulation that still remains omnipresent, but also the willingness to move on to other things for many reasons.

Lack of time and space

"The things we own, end up owning us." This statement from a famous fictional character, Tyler Durden, makes more and more sense and resonates repeatedly deep inside my head. When I take a brief tour of my environment, I quickly realize that my 60m2 apartment is literally a game room where consoles and other boxes are crammed in each room (don't worry, the kitchen is spared !). Although a bedroom was transformed into a playful haven and dedicated to this overflowing passion, it must be said that it tends to overflow onto the adjoining premises. It's not the four consoles of past and new generations, all connected to the television in the living room that will make me say the opposite ! The furniture is saturated with it and it is not uncommon to spend a lot of time optimizing, in terms of storage, in the hope of fitting the latest acquisition. Have I reached a breaking point ? This is the question I ask myself when I observe the myriad of amiibos in blisters, placed on the dresser of my room...

One of the solutions to continue to satisfy my thirst for collection would be to invest in more furniture. However, this may encumber even more the space of my space, which is now shrinking to a shagreen. As you can see, accumulating becomes more of a constraint than anything else. To this must be added the fact that I no longer have as much time as before to devote myself to this totally time-consuming leisure activity. Many titles are still under their plastic sleeves, patiently waiting to be inserted into their respective media... A game is only worth it if it is appreciated controller in hand and a large part of them are now only used as an ornament. A simple waste, caused by the desire for collection...

Fear of regret

That said, many parts have a real emotional value to me. I'm not even talking about the Grails found at the cost of weeks or even months of research. In addition, many of them have high market value, but that is not the issue. Initially, the construction of this assembly of video game equipment was born under the impulse of frustration and gradually materialized to become an objective. The one to recreate my ideal and ultimate game library ! I therefore have a very particular affect on most of my acquisitions. A real materialistic aberration! I strongly believe that I would find it difficult to get rid of most of these titles that have filled an unexplainable gap. When I read it again, I am a real case study for psychologists and other psychiatrists. Unfortunately, this fear is a possibility that I am still afraid to face.

However, I remain as attached as ever to the middle of the video game. This favourite field that has rocked my life as a child, that has accompanied me from adolescence to adulthood. However, I must admit that passion has sometimes turned obsessive and that it may be time to question myself. But for God's sake, I don't want to get away from that. For me, it is a lifestyle that constantly brings its share of surprises and knowledge. I am very divided on this subject, to say the least. And what would you do in my position ?