Great Things to Collect

Collecting is a way people spend their pastime to show off things they love or express who they are. It is a hobby that requires finding good items meaningfully and acquiring them within reason. While the hobby is dangerous and can easily take on a bad direction, it is something that many people do to some extent. But if you're not intentionally collecting something for whatever reason, then here are some ideas to help get you started. Many of these things are cheap, especially if you are just starting out, but they can get quite expensive, especially if you're not careful.

Stuff on the Ground

You would be surprised by the kinds of things people will drop. While it's usually just trash, you might find something that can be used for a crafting project or an object that is cheap and small. People drop items all the time, and they are often things that are good but people won't care about because they are a toy from Dollar Tree or something similar. However, it is not people who just drop potentially interesting things. You can often find colorful leaves in the Autumn, nuts, or flowers depending on the Season and your location. Some of which can be eaten, or set up to become a long-lasting display to add a pop of color to your life.

That is not to mention the things that animals can drop. Feathers from birds are common and can be quite beautiful. There are also shed antlers from deer, which can be carved into tools or art if you have the know-how. Although, admittedly, these are the only two things that animals regularly drop that I know can be collected. It doesn't mean there are no other options. These are just the things that I know about. And no, animal poop is not an option.

The best part about finding stuff on the ground is the fact that it's free. All you need is access to the outdoors, and you are all set to start a collection. The challenge is finding things actually worth collecting. You might strike it lucky, or you might not!

Physical Media

Physical media is becoming more popular to collect, especially among adults, and for good reason. Nobody knows if they will keep having digital access to their favorite works through legitimate means, leaving only two reliable options if they want to keep enjoying their favorite art. They can either download illegal copies, which not only is it dangerous to do and can damage their devices, but it won't support the artists responsible for making what they enjoy so much.

Honestly, piracy in this form can be multiple topics on their own. It is a complicated topic that deserves a little more attention than being a tangent in a larger article. So, I will say I'm not here to judge people for downloading art illegally. I'm guilty of it myself, and I don't know your reasons for doing it. Please support indie artists when you can as we do face a larger impact from piracy than major companies do.

With that out of the way, buying physical media legally is a much more viable option due to the fact that it supports the artist and you typically know what you're getting is safe and quality. There are many reputable places where you can acquire media, and you can have a peace in mind knowing that what you gather is not going anywhere.

Stickers/Buttons

Speaking of supporting artists, many offer small products such as stickers and buttons at low price points so their works are more accessible for customers to purchase. Stickers come in a large variety thanks to the amount of artists that create them, and they are guaranteed to be cute. Plus, you can stick them on anything, including sticker books. A type of book dedicated to sticking the small pieces of art and keep them safe.

What is especially fun is that they can be homemade. It's relatively easy to get your hands on the tools you need in order to make them, although it may take a decent chunk of money in order to do so. However, having the option to make these things yourself can be worth it if you're the type who enjoys creating objects and want things to truly take pride in. Plus, these items can end up cheaper in the long run if buttons and stickers are something you collect frequently.

Clothes

It's not about the amount of clothing you have, it is about how diverse your closet is. A good quality collection in your wardrobe will make for a large variety of outfits without having to get new pieces every time you wish to freshen up. Clothes have a broad range of styles and accessible price points that will match whatever income you have. You can give clothing a second chance and find good bargains at thrift stores, or you can put a fortune on famous designers for high quality pieces that will last far longer and look better than your average clothing. But no matter what you get and have access to, you will be able to style yourself in a variety of ways if you know what to get and how to style yourself.

Dextive Shop offers a couple of ita bags that come with a random rusted button and a bookmark for each purchase. So, if you're looking to give something a second chance that is highly customizable, then you can check them out at https://dextive-shop.square.site

Stationary

Finally, we have stationary. Pens, pencils, notebooks galore. You can be someone who always has something handy, whether someone needs an important tool or you wish to give a gift. Plus, they can be very useful when you need to take notes or memorize while learning a new skill. But no matter if you end up using them for yourself or others, stationary items are not only collectable, but they are practical as well.

Conclusion

This is no where close to a complete list of things you can collect. However, the goal was to give some ideas that are flexible for any budget and can be quite useful. Just remember to be mindful when collecting and don't be afraid to get rid of things that you no longer like. There is a fine line between collecting, hoarding, and overconsumption. All things that are a part of society, for better and for worse. A part of curating is going through what you already own and getting rid of them, after all.

What are some things you think are neat to collect? Feel free to comment what you collect and why. I'd love to hear about your favorite things!