LEGO collecting: Getting too old for it?

[Algernon]

Lately I've gotten out of LEGO collecting. Don't get me wrong; LEGO will always hold a special place in my heart- after all, I grew up with it. But I just can't find it in myself to shell out $20 of hard-earned cash for something that I feel like I should be growing out of (after all, that $20 could be going towards my next meal). Because here's the truth of it: I am a college student in the middle of figuring out his life, and I'm not sure if there's space enough for something as expensive and traditionally "childish" as LEGO collecting. I can't see myself bringing a girl I fancy back to my place and having to explain why I have three entire shelves dedicated to my Space Police III collection. Even more importantly, as a sound engineering major I can't exactly afford the ever-so-alluring 2010 NASA space shuttle when that $99.99 could mean the difference between getting a new MIDI keyboard or having to go another paycheck without the proper equipment to write that song I've been working on all week.

So here's my question to the general EB community: As responsible adults with lives of your own, how have you fit LEGO collecting into your life? It is, quite obviously, a significant drain on your finances and (sometimes) your perceived maturity. I'm interested in how it's worked out for you.

Aaaand go!

[tedbeard]

So here's my question to the general EB community: As responsible adults with lives of your own, how have you fit LEGO collecting into your life? It is, quite obviously, a significant drain on your finances and (sometimes) your perceived maturity. I'm interested in how it's worked out for you.

In regards to "maturity", as a 40-something father of three kids I find that no one gives me a hassle abut my LEGO hobby. Having gone to several model railways shows to be part of a LEGO layout and taken my kids last weekend to a model airshow for the fourth year in a row I saw no one hassling 50, 60 even 70+ year old guys for playing with a toy. By the time you are our age this sort of activity is not "immature" it is "youthful" or "staying young" and everyone you meet wishes they were doing it as well.

In terms of money, it is a hobby and obviously if it is a choice between buying more LEGO and clothes for the kids for back-to-school the kids needs win. That is what maturity is all about. Putting the needs of your family before your own pleasure is hard for some to grasp but once you do it feels great.

It sounds like you are entering your 'Dark Ages". I say, put it aside for now and concentrate on other aspects of your life. Just whatever you do don't get rid of your LEGO - it will still be there when you have a better job, more stability and a spouse who is glad you play with LEGO rather than hanging out at strip clubs with questionable friends.

[fred67]

tedbeard is wise.

LEGO is an expensive hobby, but part of life is knowing what to prioritize. There's about $500 in sets I could buy right now if I wanted to, but they must come after everything else. I've got two kids, too.

When I went through college (a computer science major, but I was "in" the college of engineering at my university), LEGO was a popular subject... we'd look at things we found on the internet or in the news and we'd say "wow!" But nobody had any because we were poor college students... yes, I bought computers and peripherals (which were very expensive back then, relatively speaking) and didn't buy LEGO.

Now I have enough that I can occasionally indulge myself. I can think of worse hobbies (as can my wife).

Put it away if you must, but don't sell it. Even if you don't want to play anymore, you may have kids.

[Captain Becker]

I am not an adult yet but next summer im 18, so i guess its ok to anserw. I think at you cant be too old for colleting legos never, but surely you are right. I also arent buying my legos so much anymore and i have tooked some of my legos into a warehouse or gived some of them away and sold them also, i dont like to spend too moneys for legos because i know at i will need those money for somewhere else, so i dont spend money for legos at all sometimes, it can took a couple of weeks or month when i buy something again. I usually spend 50 euros on my legos and trying to not buy legos if i am not so intrested. I have some experience also explaining my girlfriend why im still collecting legos (She dont understand even at i tell her at its my hobby) But if you truly feel at you are too old for buying legos now, you can try to buy them later. I know someone who is over 50 and his still buying legos, i have gotted some legos for him too. Hopefully you will get back at buying legos in some point.

EDIT: i forgot to say this one. Put you Legos away and wait for the right moment. I know one uy who is over 50 and still collecting legos.

Captain Becker

Edited August 20, 2010 by Captain Becker

[Tervlon]

I concur . You should probably put the LEGO away for now. As you've explained there is little justification for dropping serious money on something more important that is competing for your limited resources. I did the same thing during college. I spent ~$70 throughout my college career but when I got out and found a job I've ramped up my purchasing. Actually my limited pallet of bricks in college was extremely fun and helped me develop new technique too. A girl may not understand at first, but as you grow closer you should slowly reveal your love of the brick. My wife is supremely supportive of a hobby that allows me to spend time with her on the couch and will one day get me to play with our kids.

Everyone needs a hobby. One day you'll want to come back so don't get rid of things if you can't bear to keep them on the shelf. Maturity places new demands on us, but will also one day provide more resources with which to expand your collection. LEGO will be here when you get back, but you don't really need to leave either. Building doesn't require constantly buying new sets just tearing the old ones up.

Edited August 20, 2010 by Tervlon

[Joey Lock]

Lately I've gotten out of LEGO collecting. Don't get me wrong; LEGO will always hold a special place in my heart- after all, I grew up with it. But I just can't find it in myself to shell out $20 of hard-earned cash for something that I feel like I should be growing out of (after all, that $20 could be going towards my next meal). Because here's the truth of it: I am a college student in the middle of figuring out his life, and I'm not sure if there's space enough for something as expensive and traditionally "childish" as LEGO collecting. I can't see myself bringing a girl I fancy back to my place and having to explain why I have three entire shelves dedicated to my Space Police III collection. Even more importantly, as a sound engineering major I can't exactly afford the ever-so-alluring 2010 NASA space shuttle when that $99.99 could mean the difference between getting a new MIDI keyboard or having to go another paycheck without the proper equipment to write that song I've been working on all week.

So here's my question to the general EB community: As responsible adults with lives of your own, how have you fit LEGO collecting into your life? It is, quite obviously, a significant drain on your finances and (sometimes) your perceived maturity. I'm interested in how it's worked out for you.

Aaaand go!

Well same here, I've not bought a set in about 2-3 months and the set I bought was a small £3 set. I'm amazingly fanatical about Lego, I just haven't gotten round to building anything it about a month, I've got things planned but theres many reasons I can't do it right now. One, My project I have planned is going to cost me about £400 and over to get everything I want. Two, I'm starting to realise that I need money for other things in my life, Phone, Friends, Girls, e.t.c. Three, I need to preserve money for my new Re-enactment hobby I'm starting soon, German Uniform and Equipment is darn expensive these days!

I feel the same, I'm just going into my schools Sixth Form and I'm not even sure whether the stuff I've taken, Photography, History, English Literature and ICT are viable options for careers I want. I feel the same, I don't have much space in my room for Lego anymore since I try to hide it incase freinds come over or girls come over, obviously becaue its supposed to be a childs toy and I'm not sure the sight on my friends or girls faces when they see it. My friend who likes Lego says people he knows people who thinks its good because its imaginative...I wish I had friends like that...

I've never had the "Dark Ages". In fact Lego has gotten me through mine. As adults I believe its easier to collect Lego. You can decide to have your own room dedicated to Lego, you can recieve more money for a job to put aside for Lego, you can walk into a Lego Store without having to hide your head in shame because you can say your buying it for your child and no one will know any better. Because no one grows up, they just mature. I don't get it that alot of people on this forum I see on the "What did you buy today?" thread seem to buy a Lego set every single day or at least a big set each year. Last big set I bought was the Republic Gunship and that was £80. I save my money for my projects which are more creative and easier to disguise, Such as my HMS Unicorn, I spent over £360 on that and I can say I did it because I'm interested in History, not that I wanted to play with it. It's better than buying lots of little City sets and having Star Wars sets in your city. I'm interested how its worked out for the more AFOL's than me.

EDIT: By the way, why does everyone refer to LEGO as "Legos" I hate that.

Edited August 20, 2010 by Joey Lock

[gotoAndLego]

Whatever you do, don't get rid of your existing collection, in 10-20 years when you get back into legos, and you will get back into legos, you will really be happy that you kept everything. If you are worried about how your Legos look to girls...well no one can teach you to think for yourself. Look...having some legos out won't stop you from getting laid, if she's in your room its pretty much a done deal, but do you really want to date someone who wouldn't want you to be happy. You can just keep them in a tub(s) and bring them out when you want to play.

...By the way, why does everyone refer to LEGO as "Legos" I hate that.

You really need to get over that...its going to happen so just deal with it.

Edited August 20, 2010 by gotoAndLego

[simonjedi]

You never grow out of lego, just real life gets in the way.

when you're 11-16, you're more interested in becoming popular (which is bollocks) and/or trying to attract girls/guys.

17 - 25, is when you're in college/uni and you have a job. Its cool again and you can afford it.

26+ is babies, houses, marriages and stuff like that so you don't have much time.

That's my experiences anyway (i'm only 21 so YMMV)

Edited August 20, 2010 by simonjedi

[-JD-]

I don't think you can grow out of LEGO. IMO, you stop liking it to do other things in life. I think there needs to be a balance between what you do in the LEGO world and what you do in the real world, and you always need to prioritise sensibly.

Work comes first. Without work you won't have a life, let alone LEGO! Once you have done what work you need to do, socialise and/or go out in the real world. Then after these things, start LEGOing! That's how I operate, and it works very well.

Obviously there will be some times in life when you can't be LEGOing at all, but if you truly love your hobby you'll come back to it.

Hope this helped.

[happymark]

You never grow out of lego, just real life gets in the way.

26+ is babies, houses, marriages and stuff like that so you don't have much time.

That's my experiences anyway (i'm only 21 so YMMV)

I am a adult onset Lego fun. Actually I started buying lego after I had a kid.

so..never too late to start :)

Edited August 21, 2010 by happymark

[Zzz]

I can't see myself bringing a girl I fancy back to my place and having to explain why I have three entire shelves dedicated to my Space Police III collection.

Ah cut it out! I can see you doing that, without explaining. Why do you have to? Or if you have to, she might not be that cool.

Edited August 21, 2010 by Zzz

[Algernon]

Let's be honest here, LEGO collecting is an unusual hobby and it can throw people off if they're not used to it- I'm not saying that it should be that way, it just is. This is probably more true with my age group than others. So I don't advertise it, not out of shame, but just to avoid having to explain how I look at it. I don't expect people to understand, since in my experience, they often don't at first (and I doubt that I would, in their position). Honestly that doesn't bother me in the least- I'm just talking about how LEGO as a hobby is at odds with the college life, and I was wondering what the people here thought of it.

I can see a lot of people here are very comfortable with incorporating LEGO into their adult lives. There's a lot of great advice here, and I thank you for it! I think that, at the time being, I'll limit myself with LEGO collecting (as I have been) and focus on what's really important right now. I probably will come back to it later; after all, I've been collecting for most of my 19 years on this planet, and I'll always have a soft spot for those small plastic bricks.

Thanks for all of the fantastic advice. :)

[RileyC]

So I don't advertise it, not out of shame, but just to avoid having to explain how I look at it. I don't expect people to understand, since in my experience, they often don't at first (and I doubt that I would, in their position).

Same with me. Im at high school which as we all know, reputation is everything. I dont want people to think Im immature because I play with a "child's toy". Most people do not get the joy I get out of Lego which can only truly be discovered if you open your mind which most people cant do. It's especially annoying when I buy lego and the cashiers give you weird looks, I try to ignore them but it gets on my nerves.

Im glad you have decided to stick with lego. I had the same thought when I first started collecting, but I stuck to it and I never looked back. Its been a great few years so far.

[dr_spock]

It's ok to put a hobby on hiatus and come back to it at a later time. I stopped Lego midway through university. I didn't get the Lego bug again until my son asked grandma to buy me a big Creator set.

I always had Lego on my bookshelf. I wasn't embarrassed when I bring home a date and she saw them. I guess if she didn't like them, she wasn't the right girl for me.

[MrTools]

Well i know what you mean by all of this, i actually used to spend a large portion of my money on LEGO, but now in the final years of high school, i am realizing i will need to put money off for more important things. I do still buy sets occasionally but lately i have been using money for other things. Besides, i admit i have "enough" as is. but it is tempting to go out and splurge some money on LEGO every so often.

[---Vertea---]

I think I may know exactly how you feel. I'm 19- freshly graduated, looking for work and trying to get into college so i can have the career I desire. It's a tough place to be, I'll admit, but IMO this is the best time for LEGO. When all else fails my LEGO collection offers both an escape and a chance to create which is a wonderful feeling as you all know.

I've never had that much money to spend on things I like, so I pretty much limited my likes to LEGO and a few other odd interests and right now I am especially limited and have more priorities to place ahead of what I like. But that will not stop me from going out every now and again and picking up a set or two. What I do is separate my money into two groups: 70% goes to necessities, 30% gets set aside for whatever else I may come across. Eventually that 30% builds up and I find that I have enough to safely purchase my favourite building block without sacrificing any priorities at all.

So far this topic has produced a number of great tips as far as setting priority and I agree wholeheartedly. Do not give it up- just put it away fro a little bit.

As far as getting a girl goes, I have a wonderful girlfriend who has really warmed up to my obsession even today. She also knows when to tell me I really shouldn't spend money on my hobbies, which is equally cool. If you can find a woman like that, you're set ;)

I remember being terrified of having my friends see my massive brick collection and freaking out, but after a point I came to realize that real friends would accept me as I am, and luckily that's precisely what they did.

I will never stop collecting LEGO, but for the time being, it's just important that it goes on the back burner for a moment.

[Ralph_S]

Lately I've gotten out of LEGO collecting. Don't get me wrong; LEGO will always hold a special place in my heart- after all, I grew up with it. But I just can't find it in myself to shell out $20 of hard-earned cash for something that I feel like I should be growing out of (after all, that $20 could be going towards my next meal). Because here's the truth of it: I am a college student in the middle of figuring out his life, and I'm not sure if there's space enough for something as expensive and traditionally "childish" as LEGO collecting. I can't see myself bringing a girl I fancy back to my place and having to explain why I have three entire shelves dedicated to my Space Police III collection. Even more importantly, as a sound engineering major I can't exactly afford the ever-so-alluring 2010 NASA space shuttle when that $99.99 could mean the difference between getting a new MIDI keyboard or having to go another paycheck without the proper equipment to write that song I've been working on all week.

So here's my question to the general EB community: As responsible adults with lives of your own, how have you fit LEGO collecting into your life? It is, quite obviously, a significant drain on your finances and (sometimes) your perceived maturity. I'm interested in how it's worked out for you.

Aaaand go!

My reply will pretty much echo what most other people have written.

I don't particularly care whether or not other people consider what I do to be childish. I build with LEGO as a hobby and have been doing so pretty much all of my life. It's become a part of who I am and if I feel that I have to hide that from somebody, they're not the person I'd want to share my life with. I don't know whether it makes a difference in perception whether you collect or build stuff yourself.

Money is a different matter. My student days are behind me. (I realised this morning that in a few days time it'll be 10 years since I graduated from university). In the years that I was in university, I didn't have much money to spend either. Most of it went into rent, food, clothes and my education. What was left went into books, music and a social life. They were far more important things to spend spare money on, so I just stopped buying LEGO (unfortunately missing out on some fantastic sets along the way).

Now, ten years down the line, I've got plenty of money and while I limit my spending on LEGO somewhat, I can basically buy whatever LEGO I like.

Cheers,

Ralph

[Corvus]

I'm 18, going to college in three days. My biggest hurdle to overcome has been the social aspect of it. I'm a fairly shy person, and I have a harder time being comfortable with walking through a store with a lego box, or just explaining it to someone. I actually have an easier time showing my collection to someone in person- people 'get' it more when they see something big like the Eiffel tower and an array of bricks sitting next to an unfinished moc/mod.

I've found that it hasn't been my friends who make fun of my collection, but my sister's. My sister and her friends are far more mainstream and popular than I am, and I've occasionally overheard them making fun of me in another room or in passing. My friends tend to be more intellectual or have offbeat interests themselves. Two I know like to blast classical music from their cars, just because they're amused at destroying the loud music stereotype. So, I think it really depends on the people you know. If they don't like it, they're not the right kind of friends.

I also have a crunch on money. I worked as an unpaid intern for five days a week at a museum. When I got home, I'm tired and I sometimes smell of bird or porcupine crap (I work with animals). So, I really don't have time to get another part-time job. The only money I make has been doing household chores. So I've had to make decisions about what I want. My PS2 is on the fritz. Do I get a PS3? I also have very little games. I'd like more games. However, those can be expensive, sometimes 40-60 bucks a pop. I recently bought a new camera lens- those really aren't cheap, but I decided that the lens was something that I can really use.

Like others, I don't MOC very much. At least, I don't take pictures, as they're a hassle. So I don't really participate in EB as much as I could, and I don't participate in what are some really neat threads about building. When I go to college, I plan to take a small amount of parts with me, just to build with. My side plan is to really make it a hobby- learn techniques, really teach myself to actually build- SNOT comes to mind.

[robuko]

Some good advice on this page. Everyone has a hobby. Not many are as creative, intellectually challenging, and peaceful as the brick. It is the perfect right-brain and left-brain fusion, and building gives you quite deep skills that will be useful when you least expect.

In about 10 years, girls will love it because it means you are fatherhood material. I am lucky that I have a wonderful wife who likes it that I have an engineering side and an artistic side. Having said that, I came out of my dark ages when I was 32, and I did not build at all in college.

With a job after college, money will be less of an issue, but college makes other demands that are more important on your time and you should make the most of it while you can. You will only be at college for a few short years but you can collect lego for six or seven decades after if you wish.

It sounds like you might be going in to your dark ages. Pity to have them when the new sets are so awesome, especially the minifigs, some of them will be costly to backfill. It will be better to keep your lego in storage if you can rather than sell it, as restocking from eBay is not the same as having your own sets.

[fred67]

So, I think it really depends on the people you know. If they don't like it, they're not the right kind of friends.

That's a good attitude for an 18 year old. Not to sound condescending... I know 30 and 40 year olds who think they need to act "a certain way" in order to keep their friends... I don't know when got over it.

My sister and her friends are far more mainstream and popular than I am, and I've occasionally overheard them making fun of me in another room or in passing.

Really... how old are they? It seems to me to be a positive thing that you've peaked their interest. Often making fun of someone (especially in front of friends) is a way to avoid the truth. I'm sure you've heard the phrase "me thinks thou dost protest too much" (which is actually our modern day butchering of "The lady doth protest too much, methinks").

[Joey Lock]

I'm 18, going to college in three days. My biggest hurdle to overcome has been the social aspect of it. I'm a fairly shy person, and I have a harder time being comfortable with walking through a store with a lego box, or just explaining it to someone. I actually have an easier time showing my collection to someone in person- people 'get' it more when they see something big like the Eiffel tower and an array of bricks sitting next to an unfinished moc/mod.

Like others, I don't MOC very much. At least, I don't take pictures, as they're a hassle. So I don't really participate in EB as much as I could, and I don't participate in what are some really neat threads about building. When I go to college, I plan to take a small amount of parts with me, just to build with. My side plan is to really make it a hobby- learn techniques, really teach myself to actually build- SNOT comes to mind.

Yes, Exactly the same for me. I felt so awkward when I went into ASDA's and I saw some Lego, I went over to have a look and my father said "I'm going to go get the shopping, I'll come back in a minute" So for 10 minutes I was standing there, I didn't want to leave because I didn't want my dad worrying where I was and to end up circling each other. And the Lego section is now right facing the Tills. So everyone can see you pick something off the shelf. And if your between 12-20, people will wonder why your buying Lego.

I don't actually see people staring at me when I buy Lego, I just feel it. I feel that what if I bump into my friends or just people judge me. But I feel the same, if I told someone I built a large Lego ship, they'd probably laugh and say "You build Lego still?" but when I showed my brothers girlfriend and friend they both said "Wow. Thats amazing.". So I guess they need to see what you really mean, in order to fully understand it.

Yes, I don't MOC often, If I do its mostly a small MOC, No real significance, And taking pictures, uploading and posting takes more than an hour that I don't have to spare. So I barely MOC, Anyway, most of my MOC's I'm creating now are prototypes to me new project, LDD MOC's and small experiments with real bricks. I could participate much more but as you rightly said, I don't, For example, Tournaments, I feel I could have gotten quite a few votes for a MOC I made but I never got round to taking a photo and it got damaged so I never bothered.

[allanp]

This sounds like you are entering your dark ages. Most of us have one but I was one of the lucky ones. I have not got rid of or sold a single piece of my collection ever. Unless you really need the money I advise you do the same otherwise you'll really miss it. Beside the beauty of lego is that, unless new parts come out, you don't really need to buy more, just build something new with your imagination with the pieces you have.

I told my girlfriend about my hobby on our first date when we was talking about our childhoods, I said something like "I loved lego as a kid and I guess I just never grew out of it, I still have it all but hey, there are worse pastimes you know haha". Any girl worth holding onto will not find it a turn off. In fact mine thinks it's sweet

[The Legonater]

EDIT: By the way, why does everyone refer to LEGO as "Legos" I hate that.

Here, Here.

I personally agree- LEGO is not something you can grow out of. Rather, it is a choice. A matter of, 'Do I care what people around me think?' Personally, I doubt my love of LEGO will ever decrease. The art of 'growing out of something' is a funny thing. Is it REALLY growing out of it, or does it just seem childish to you or people around you? If you still use a soother at 40, then that will likely be considered something you should grow out of, But if you collect toy cars then you could do it for old memories, or antiques. Or, maybe, to seel them when they get old. Whatever the reason, I find there are few things that can actually be 'grown out' of. LEGO is one of those things that can never be grown out of, IMO.

[ZO6]

I'm sure that I'll be repeating a fair amount that's already been said, but here are my thoughts anyways:

-While Lego can make life awesome, it's definitely ok to put it aside for a while if you're short on time or cash. Take care of you priorities first - you'll have plenty of opportunities to get back on track with your favorite hobby.

Having said that, when I started college a humber of years back I tried to put Lego on hold for a while. I've put myself into film & television production, and it isn't cheap. One of the cheapest essentials is a 100 foot reel of film - this costs $45 bucks and allows for around 3 minutes of footage! My Lego funds was instantly eaten up by having to buy film every week. I eventually broke down when my brithday rolled around and I went out and bought myself the 4956 creator house. I brought it back into residence and build it in my room. Everyone who passed by and saw me building it thought it was great.

So, while you may not be able to collect on a regular basis for a certain period of time, if you get the chance you should treat yourself to a set that you want.

-Regarded women and Lego, don't let it trouble you too much. If you're truly close to a girl, I doubt she'll change her mind about you just by seeing your Lego collection. If you really feel uncomfortable about a girl seeing your hobby, then I suppose you could hide it away for the time being and slowly reveal that you're into Lego - it may be less of a shock that way.

Personally, I would never change an aspect of my life because of someone else. If a girl can't accept me for who I am and what I like, then things probably won't work out and I'd be wise to look elsewhere. The way I've avoided any tricky situations is by always being so open about my hobby that anyone who I get to know is aware of my Lego collection already. I have yet to encounter anyone who is turned off by my hobby. On the contrary - those who are in the loop think that it's really neat to be interested in Lego. I suppose I've been fortunate, but all the ladies that I know always like to see the latest additions to my collection.

My college is running a program this year that allows us to meet those who are in our programs before classes even start - this is done online of course. I've gone ahead and introduced myself and included that my hobby is collecting Lego. I've already had a couple classmates suggest that we should build a giant Lego tower to put on display in residence.

To wrap up: Algernon + those who might be in the same boat - decide what your priorities are and keep up a positive attitude at all times. You'd be surprised how often things work out for the better. Hope everything works out to your satisfaction.

Edit, additional commentary: Just a few last words for those who are worried about what others may think of your hobbies. I've been completely addicted to asian cinema for 5+ years. The first time I attended college a lot of years back, I went nuts with my room in residence - covering the walls with posters for movies, I put up around a dozen or so drawings that I had done, I had around 50 movies on a shelf, and I'd frequently listen to some Japanese blues. Anyone who walked by my room would have no doubt that I loved Korean and Japanese films. There were of course those who couldn't wrap their head around the concept of asian cinema being made up of more than just anime and kung-fu movies. While I did scare off some people, there were many who shared the same love for these films as I did. I ultimately ended up becoming great friends with these people. What I'm getting at is the old quality over quantity motto. I'm sure this can be shared elsewhere with life, so at this point I'd like to bring the focus back to Lego. While sharing with everyone that Lego is your hobby may turn some off, those that accept it will be the superior people that you want to know and be friends with. You'll be happier in the long run.

[Sam Vimes]

Hi Guys

Well I have been collecting Legos for a while now more like sense I was 5, and I have gotten to the point where I do not play with mine alot. I mean I like them, but I recently never have the urge to play with them or build with them.

Does anyone have that problem or is there any awesners to this question or suggestions would be nice to have also.

Thanks

Sam

Edited January 13, 2011 by Sam Vimes