Trouble sticking to one theme?

[Axle]

Recently after my dark ages, something that happened to me before them keeps happening again.

I've searched the forums, and I don't think there's a topic on this, but please correct me if i'm wrong!

My problem is that I have trouble sticking to one theme!

Originally after the dark ages, I was into pirates, but that soon turned into making a city and trains, but then I started doing some Star Wars things, and now I'm onto Adventurers after having seen a few Adventurers-styled MOCs on here!

It seems to me that whenever I see a set from a theme that I have some interest in, that theme takes over and everything I do goes towards it instead of the previous thing! It's usually every two weeks that a "Theme-change" takes place. The only real problem with this is having enough space for each theme. At the moment I do somewhat have the right amount of space, my Pirate stuff on a display on the floor, the City on the table, Adventurers on a shelf just above it and then Star Wars above that, but it's all compact and doesn't leave much room for expansion for Star Wars and Adventurers.

Has anyone else ever had this problem of theme hopping? I find that if I even just look at another theme that I like, I'll switch over to just focusing on it . It's odd.

[Peppermint_M]

Its a problem?

I've never thought it was problematic to move around different building themes, from TLG started to fan-made, media related or just something that popped into my head. I MOC anything I fancy, at the moment I have a few mocs on the go sat between completed things. From Fabuland buildings to SF themed war-mecha.

Then again, my collection is as varied as my tastes so I have a parts pool that can stretch over any little idea that takes my fancy.

[Hive]

I concentrate on two themes: Castle and Pirates. On occation, I buy sets from other themes that I feel have good crossover potential either as a modified build or through the individual parts.

I find deciding upon my displayed setup to be quite a pain though, as it's so hard to choose between the various possibilities. My mind is currently set on a medieval-style fantasy world which is sort of a mix between Game of Thrones and LOTR.

...but then again, I find it hard not to utilize my fine pirate ships...

[Jargo]

I pick and choose across all the themes. Whatever takes my fancy. Space, City, Castle, Pirates, Wild West, Action, Technic, Bionicle, Creator, Licensed.... I wouldn't see it as a problem, more of a plus point. I only display a small amount of stuff though. And stuff gets rotated. So whatever the latest thing is that I've found interest in is what I have out. Everything else is broken down and sorted into drawer units and tubs.

[Alfadas]

I have the exact same problem, I am mostly into Castle and Vikings, but now I have bought some Star Wars, LotR, The Hobbit, Pirates and City (probably I am forgetting something). I do not like that, I want all sets from one theme, and that only happened by 2 themes (Vikings and Kingdoms). The rest of the themes I have a couple of sets. I guess I like LEGO's too much.

[Cwetqo]

I also have that problem. As a kid I started with space, always loved city and ended with castle (and wacthed a lot of technic in catalogues).

Now, post dark ages, I'm weak of all themes: I have mass of city sets and Im building diorama in basement. I also love trains, which come natural with city, but are very expensive to collect. So I bought lots of trains (each train fan must of course have all iconic 9v and newer sets). I managed to resist space, but I do buy some SW sets, mainly stuff from OT (my target was to have all mayor ships, but now I also buy other stuff). And lets not even start with technic: I had to buy all flagship sets of last 20 years and almost all other sets from last 5 years (since I came from dark ages). Add a little bit of licensed themes (Indiana Jones, LotR, Super heroes and others) and the fact that I bought complete Western collection and you get one confused collector/fan.

I like almost all themes except Ninjago, Chima, World racers, and other teenager oriented stuff. I do like new galaxy squad sets, but I decided not to go that way.

Life is so simpler if you like just (lets say) pirates or SW.

[naf]

I concentrate of the space and pirate theme the most, with regards to classic sets. I never got into town that much, although I do have a few trains. After I got out of my dark age, I don't collect towards a specific theme anymore. I buy sets I think are neat and would make a good display piece, doesn't matter what theme it comes from.

[Legofin2012]

Happened once, always Star Wars and Sci-fi, and then, watch The Lord of the rings films once, and boom, from Sci-fi to historical. Have trouble finding ideas and building Star Wars MOC's now.

[Aanchir]

I've rarely tried sticking to one single theme. Generally there are at least two or three themes each year that I'm interested in collecting, and while I might occasionally step outside those themes, it's not a huge temptation when there are almost always sets within those themes that I have yet to obtain.

This year the themes I am intent on collecting are Hero Factory and Ninjago. I'm trying to avoid adding another theme to that list since LEGO stores in the vicinity of LEGO conventions no longer offer staggered discounts to registered convention attendees. But I still haven't gotten a single Ninjago set from this year — shocking, I know, but I couldn't find the smaller ones when I was at college and since coming home I've been trying to be frugal until I can find a job to bring in new income — and I have sets from last year I haven't even built yet, so I haven't had a terrible craving to buy new sets. I will probably cave once I see a REALLY good deal on sets I'm planning to get.

[Kivi]

As my primary lego activity is city mocing, I mostly concentrate on sets which contain useful parts for this - modulars, creator, city, though I greatly reduced buying sets in the last year. But now a new temptation has arisen to keep my inner child satisfied - starting a classic space collection though I know it's going to be a long and very costly endeavour.

[TheLegoDr]

I wish I was into just one theme. It certainly can be problematic trying to afford everything. Space is not a problem at my house, but all of the sets I want would break me.

Even as a child, my main interests were pirates and castle, but I did have a lot of space and town back then. After my Dark Ages, I was only into Harry Potter (it's what brought me out), but then I fell in love with Kingdoms. I was too late for Pirates theme, but I still love them, so of course I had to pick up all of the POTC sets. I've been getting all of the Modulars and winter village, even though nothing else city related interests me. Naturally I slowly delved into Star Wars, but that is mostly on the back burner with all of these other great themes. LOTR/Hobbit takes priority, but Super Heroes is next in line. And I've been into all of the exclusives TLG keeps putting out, like the Tower Bridge and VW Van and the like. Because of all this, I missed out on the Dino theme, even though those dinos looked awesome.

It is simply too costly. But it's great. Even with all of the issues, it brings me back to my childhood everytime I play, er, build with them.

[LEGO Guy Bri]

As a kid, I only asked for or bought City sets and it's subthemes. I've always been fascinated by scaled down cities and towns. Since I never had a HO train to go with my Hot Wheels/Matchbox collection, LEGO took it's place. Fast forward to today, I technically I don't stick to one theme per se, but City/Train is my main focus. The only sets from other themes, I own, are easily compatible with City sets (i.e. Indy's 7682 Shanghai Chase). I also have some shelf display sets including the VW Camper Van and a few of the sky scrapers from the Architecture line. I still like to believe that I only collect one theme

[eldiano]

As a kid I stuck to Pirates, then after my dark ages I bought the entire Kingdoms line save the Chess set, and now I caught up with SuperHeroes entire Marvel/DC sets. I will stick with Superheroes and maybe a couple of mini figures from different themes, I only bought Dath Vader, Saruman and White Gandalf, so we will see, I tried getting into the Ninja Turtles but all I want is just the four turtles, yet they are price at 100usd for all four so I might wait for prices to go down or something..

[Paul B Technic]

I have always pretty much stuck with Technic. I did have a bit of a run with trains but in the end I went back to Technic. I don't have the time, space or budget to support having multiple themes :(

[Alfadas]

I do have enough space, but not the money. Time I have plenty. I really like the Vikings and Castle, and those new LotR and SW sets are forcing me to buy them, so I need a lot of money. Anyone who has too much money, I am willing to take it. I really want 10237 Tower of Orthanc and 75021 Republic Gunship and 75019 AT-TE, yeah I know, the largest sets, but they are so cool.

[escortmad79]

I mainly concentrate on City/Classic Town & Modulars as well as Collectable Minifigures but also have parts/sets from Creator, Friends, Harry Potter, Prince of Persia, Classic Space, Superheroes & a few other randoms.

I buy what takes my fancy plus collections

[Sebeus I]

I wouldn't say that's a problem, I can't stick to one theme either but I'm fine with that.

I've been building in so many themes, it's not a problem, it's a quality. What you learn at one theme can be usefull at another (like Technic is usefull to provide functions in System themes).

I do see how you consider it a problem though, contributing to the Guilds of Historica on a regular basis doesn't work for me for example .

[Hrw-Amen]

I would not say it is an issue unless you are running up huge debts doing it or are slowly pushing the rest of the family into one bedroom whilst LEGO takes over the rest of the house! But I do think most of us probably dabble in more than one theme even if we only collect one or two. You just never know when bits will be useful. Having said that I make the models up and then keep them made (Even if they are not on display.) for MOCing I tend to buy loose bricks either from Bricklink or PAB etc.

My main theme is CITY/Trains, but I have also bought the Lotr & Hobbit as I am a fan of the books and films. Traditionally I am a space fan, so got the AC and am slowly getting GS although they may have to stay in their boxes, at least the larger ones, until I find a bigger house.

[Mr Bill]

I, too, have found it impossible to stick with one theme -- and I'm not sure I really WANT to stick with one theme. I focus primarily on city (with trains subtheme being integral). I build mainly in the CCModular vein (Cafe Corner). I try to get as many SW sets as I can afford, but after the first ten years or so it became more hit or miss. In general I can't buy everything I want so I just get the sets that tickle my fancy or look good or have parts I desire for a special project...

--Mr Bill