Being a MLP collector struggle

ponycollector101

Teeny Tiny Baby Pony
Joined
Apr 30, 2019
Messages
55
I’m not really sure if this thread is right to be posted here, fairly new lol. Anyways

Are you open with your friends about being a mlp collector? Has anybody judged you for it?

Me personally used to openly collect as a child but I kept it personal as i got older, for some of my friends picked and teased at me a bit for it.
I remember having a group sleepover with my friends and one was like “hey look” and pulled my shelf curtain down to reveal ponies and I was like :/ as they laughed and it was awkward. Does anybody else have experiences with ponies like this? I wish the world was not so judgmental.

My bf supports the pony collection though so all is well now lol, a few close friends do, but why also people find it so strange?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tak
I think lots of people go through this. I am open about it and sometimes people do razz me a bit for it but I am happy with who I am and don't let it bother me at all. People in my life that are important enough for me to truly value their opinions don't think twice about my pony-ing or even support it cause they know me and why I enjoy collecting. Everyone else is just white noise but collecting ponies must fit my personality cause most people seem to think it's a little bit, odd, interesting and fun....which sums up how I strive to be ;)
 
I think the general public just thinks we should leave “childish” things like toys in our childhoods. At least that’s how my Dad felt until very recently...

I’m selective on who I tell, but my friends and family all know I collect. Although only a handful of my friends have actually seen my collection but everyone who has, lives it and always has questions. Of everyone, it’s my boyfriend who razzes me the most about my collection - but he’s a poopy head anyhow so his opinion matters not. ;p

Pony collecting has given me a lot of opportunities that I may of not otherwise had. I’ve made some amazing wonderful (and probably) life long friends through MLPTP and I’ve gone on many adventures in search of ponies in the wild. But it’s the community on a whole why I continue to be an active member of this amazing and supportive community. Without it I wouldn’t of made it through a lot of things last summer. With that and hearing about the community, I think a lot more people understand why I continue to collect, buy, sell, trade and refurbish. Plus pony spa days are usually my therapy from a high stress job. Lol
 
I think lots of people go through this. I am open about it and sometimes people do razz me a bit for it but I am happy with who I am and don't let it bother me at all. People in my life that are important enough for me to truly value their opinions don't think twice about my pony-ing or even support it cause they know me and why I enjoy collecting. Everyone else is just white noise but collecting ponies must fit my personality cause most people seem to think it's a little bit, odd, interesting and fun....which sums up how I strive to be ;)
I am happy with it too. I feel that I shouldn’t act like I do not like something when I really do because that’s just a lie to yourself you know, so I ignore negative things people say too. I feel like it fits my personality too, they’re so fun and colorful, how I strive to be too. I agree with you, the important people in your life will not judge you for it. It’s just hard at first but i also feel if they were real friends they wouldn’t be rude and pick about it, I feel like I shouldn’t have to hide myself from friends. I am proud of my collection as small as it is, i love the pony collecting too.
I think the general public just thinks we should leave “childish” things like toys in our childhoods. At least that’s how my Dad felt until very recently...

I’m selective on who I tell, but my friends and family all know I collect. Although only a handful of my friends have actually seen my collection but everyone who has, lives it and always has questions. Of everyone, it’s my boyfriend who razzes me the most about my collection - but he’s a poopy head anyhow so his opinion matters not. ;p

Pony collecting has given me a lot of opportunities that I may of not otherwise had. I’ve made some amazing wonderful (and probably) life long friends through MLPTP and I’ve gone on many adventures in search of ponies in the wild. But it’s the community on a whole why I continue to be an active member of this amazing and supportive community. Without it I wouldn’t of made it through a lot of things last summer. With that and hearing about the community, I think a lot more people understand why I continue to collect, buy, sell, trade and refurbish. Plus pony spa days are usually my therapy from a high stress job. Lol
I notice that too, everybody feels they should put things in the past. I felt that way for a bit until I realized it’s like changing yourself, because there’s nothing wrong with liking cutesy things (examples like my little pony, hello kitty, Disney, Pokémon, video games etc)

Maybe one day your boyfriend will get over that and just support, like my boyfriend buys ponies with me sometimes haha, I feel he probably thought it was weird at first but found it nice you know. I hope that he does start to like it eventually and I am very glad that you do not let his opinion change it.

I feel the same a bit, the pony collecting has effected me in a way. I feel like I’ve learned not to care what others think about liking them, and it’s just so much fun for pony spa days I agree. I am new to this community but I love that this is a place where I can talk about ponies as much as I want, for I don’t really have any friends who are pony fans.
 
I am a 40 year old woman with a bedroom full of toys. People do make snide remarks sometimes, but you know what? I honestly do not care. I have been a collector in some capacity since I was 19 years old and found the TP and other collecting communities. When people judge others it says a heck of a lot more about THEIR character than your character. I know it is harder to brush off when you are younger because you are just trying to find your voice. No one's negativity should live rent free in your head. Just ignore them!
 
I come from a family of collectors. My grandparents had several different antique collections, most notably my grandpa's clock collection. There were several hundred clocks, hanging on walls, sitting on tables and shelves... midnight and noon were noisy affairs in that house! So, collecting isn't strange to me or my family.

The aspect of collecting toys seems odd to some people when they find out. But if they question it, I just simply say the majority of my collection is from my childhood and it's very sentimental to me. I don't tell everyone I meet, but I don't hide it either. Sometimes it can be a good piece of fun conversation with the right person. "Yeah, I collect vintage MLP." Can be a surprisingly good conversation starter.
 
I am a 40 year old woman with a bedroom full of toys. People do make snide remarks sometimes, but you know what? I honestly do not care. I have been a collector in some capacity since I was 19 years old and found the TP and other collecting communities. When people judge others it says a heck of a lot more about THEIR character than your character. I know it is harder to brush off when you are younger because you are just trying to find your voice. No one's negativity should live rent free in your head. Just ignore them!
I don’t care what people think anymore, at first it stings but in the end it doesn’t matter because I love ponies and collecting them. I started seriously collecting when I was probably 9 lol because I loved them so much even as a kid I wanted to “collect” them. And I agree it says a lot more of their character. I ignore it too and keep it to myself and only let good friends know and they are not judgeful. I am sorry that people have made rude comments to you too.
I come from a family of collectors. My grandparents had several different antique collections, most notably my grandpa's clock collection. There were several hundred clocks, hanging on walls, sitting on tables and shelves... midnight and noon were noisy affairs in that house! So, collecting isn't strange to me or my family.

The aspect of collecting toys seems odd to some people when they find out. But if they question it, I just simply say the majority of my collection is from my childhood and it's very sentimental to me. I don't tell everyone I meet, but I don't hide it either. Sometimes it can be a good piece of fun conversation with the right person. "Yeah, I collect vintage MLP." Can be a surprisingly good conversation starter.
My family doesn’t mind it either I am like in the same boat. I wish people did not find it weird or odd because there’s nothing wrong with it. That’s how I feel too, the ponies are sentimental to me. I do the same pretty much, and it is a fun conversation with people sometimes. Some of my friends that like the collecting have shared with me they regret getting rid of/selling their old things that they loved and find it cool that I’ve went on to collecting mlp, but it seems that a lot of people also just find it weird but it does not matter. We are doing what makes us happy!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tak
I know of so many people that collect other things, spend ridiculous amounts on hair, gadgets, makeup, purses, nails, and coffee, etc... I'm open and honest about my collection. They spend on what they want and I would never dis them for it no matter how silly I may think it is, so if they are going to look down on me for the happiness my ponies give me, then I just don't need them in my life. I know my mom thinks it's silly, but she's come to understand that it makes me happy. As long as I'm not overdoing it, hurting my girl's livelihood, and getting into debt for it, then there's no harm.
 
Me and my sister have collected MLP and many other toys over the years, so my parents don’t bat an eye at it (though they can’t believe some ponies are worth hundreds - and I don’t blame them lol). I’m pretty open about it overall and haven’t had problems
 
I know of so many people that collect other things, spend ridiculous amounts on hair, gadgets, makeup, purses, nails, and coffee, etc... I'm open and honest about my collection. They spend on what they want and I would never dis them for it no matter how silly I may think it is, so if they are going to look down on me for the happiness my ponies give me, then I just don't need them in my life. I know my mom thinks it's silly, but she's come to understand that it makes me happy. As long as I'm not overdoing it, hurting my girl's livelihood, and getting into debt for it, then there's no harm.
That’s true. We all love to buy 1 thing. Whether it’s a pony or makeup etc it shouldn’t matter. I wish more people viewed it like that. It is good to be open and honest about it i think and it is awesome that you are able to do that! My ponies make me happy too. I don’t think my parents mind it very much, only when I want to buy a huge amount and it gets expensive but otherwise they don’t mind either. I agree with you too, there’s no harm in it.
Me and my sister have collected MLP and many other toys over the years, so my parents don’t bat an eye at it (though they can’t believe some ponies are worth hundreds - and I don’t blame them lol). I’m pretty open about it overall and haven’t had problems
I don’t have any friends who collected it. My parents don’t mind either. I sometimes can’t believe the prices either haha. I am open with close friends only. I have had people pick and tease about it when I was younger, like I mentioned in my first post, so I just quit sharing that much with people you know. I am glad you haven’t had any problems with it
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tak
Ironically enough, this is more of a problem with kids/teens than adults. Kids and teens are trying to act “grown up” and laugh at anyone who still wants to be kid (like collecting toys) when you’re an adult, you’re just trying to stay young :p

This has been my experience with Pokémon at least.
 
I know of so many people that collect other things, spend ridiculous amounts on hair, gadgets, makeup, purses, nails, and coffee, etc... I'm open and honest about my collection. They spend on what they want and I would never dis them for it no matter how silly I may think it is, so if they are going to look down on me for the happiness my ponies give me, then I just don't need them in my life. I know my mom thinks it's silly, but she's come to understand that it makes me happy. As long as I'm not overdoing it, hurting my girl's livelihood, and getting into debt for it, then there's no harm.
That’s true. We all love to buy 1 thing. Whether it’s a pony or makeup etc it shouldn’t matter. I wish more people viewed it like that. It is good to be open and honest about it i think and it is awesome that you are able to do that! My ponies make me happy too. I don’t think my parents mind it very much, only when I want to buy a huge amount and it gets expensive but otherwise they don’t mind either. I agree with you too, there’s no harm in it.
Me and my sister have collected MLP and many other toys over the years, so my parents don’t bat an eye at it (though they can’t believe some ponies are worth hundreds - and I don’t blame them lol). I’m pretty open about it overall and haven’t had problems
I don’t have any friends who collect or really know people that do. My parents don’t mind it either at all and do the same they cannot believe the price sometimes haha, even I can’t! And I am only open about it with close friends and I am glad you have not had any problems with that ! I have had problems only from old friends and such picking aT me but it doesn’t bother me anymore
 
I've been a pony collector my entire life and I'm now nearly 34. Unfortunately, I don't currently have space to display my collection. I'm probably sitting somewhere between 400-500 ponies.

My long-time close friends know about my collecting. I definitely don't share the information with everyone. I recently shared my love of ponies with my new boyfriend; we were at a market and some vendors had some. I made the rest of the trip about finding ponies and came home with 5 or 6, including two great priced Glow'n'Show ponies. I figured if he was weirded out, he could dump me. We're still together, though I doubt he understands it.
 
Ironically enough, this is more of a problem with kids/teens than adults. Kids and teens are trying to act “grown up” and laugh at anyone who still wants to be kid (like collecting toys) when you’re an adult, you’re just trying to stay young :p

This has been my experience with Pokémon at least.
Yeah that is true I noticed. I feel like mostly adults have learned to not bug other people of their hobbies while teenagers will try to cut ties with someone who is still being “childish” and stuff like that so they can feel older. And yes as young as i am I can tell how time gets faster and want it to slow down a little lol
 
I've been a pony collector my entire life and I'm now nearly 34. Unfortunately, I don't currently have space to display my collection. I'm probably sitting somewhere between 400-500 ponies.

My long-time close friends know about my collecting. I definitely don't share the information with everyone. I recently shared my love of ponies with my new boyfriend; we were at a market and some vendors had some. I made the rest of the trip about finding ponies and came home with 5 or 6, including two great priced Glow'n'Show ponies. I figured if he was weirded out, he could dump me. We're still together, though I doubt he understands it.
I have collected basically since childhood as well. I am getting close to running out of shelf room for my ponies lol. And I am glad that you shared it with your boyfriend. I have with mine too. I don’t think it bothered him too much since you guys are still together. Every time my boyfriend and I go to the store I want to look at the ponies I do worry if he gets annoyed of that haha but I don’t think so too bad since he likes to know what I don’t have for gift ideas and such.
 
My problem is not friends. It's family my mother hates my ponies and other toy. My dad hate them but kepts it to himself unless we get into a fight. My mom call them worthless plaice childish was of money. We have had many battles about my toys and her opinions of how I should act.
 
I was in the same boat with my family. They take jabs at me about it, but now that I bought the house I am able to snip right back with the pay my mortgage and then you can tell me what I should and should not have in my house. However, it has taken me years to find the confidence to shut that sort of digging down.

The husband wants them in my den only, which is fine - I explained one day why I hold them so dearly to my heart (Half collector, half helped me through so much in the past) that he gets it. He supports me fully. Even when I go to flea markets and such he will come along to half help but also help keep an eye out on me (I'm not a fan of going places alone). He even recently after a search and we came back with a bunch of G3s discovered the magnets in their hoofs and I came home to a pony book case climbing event :lolpony:
 
Years back when I started collecting MLPs, I was pretty open about it with my closer friends. I even shared each new one I got on my Facebook lol. Sadly it wasn't too long after that I recognized how creepy Bronies were being, and even though I wasn't a Brony, I was scared to even be associated with MLP. Sad I know.
 
My friends have always been 100% open to it. In fact a lot love ponies themselves. They enjoy hearing about my collecting adventures as far as I know. I doubt I'd put up with bullying on it. I do wait until we get closer to tell them about it, or I'll make comments about it, but yeah I have to know them enough to tell them about my collection.
 
Last edited:
Years back when I started collecting MLPs, I was pretty open about it with my closer friends. I even shared each new one I got on my Facebook lol. Sadly it wasn't too long after that I recognized how creepy Bronies were being, and even though I wasn't a Brony, I was scared to even be associated with MLP. Sad I know.
It is. I could care less about a adult being a fan, but what Bronies do... yeah...
 
Back
Top