Im not that old, but I do wonder at what point, if ever, is it sad to find toys/stuff designed for young people fun?
I dont like hunting and meat smokers. Or sports. Im into classic consoles and rc cars and Legos. Sometimes I feel like people have kids just so they can try to relive their own kid days. But I do that on a daily basis. Im surrounded by “kid” stuff, right down to 90s vhs cartoons and a Bop it.
My co workers would think its very odd that I spent the weekend playing atari and building legos. I guess I did put up some wood paneling too. But most other people were probably trucking their kids to sports practice and smoking a hog.
Children’s toys like games are limited in their function and scope. I don’t think that makes playing with them sad ever but it can be more rewarding to make things with less constraints some times.
I feel like Ive been playing less games now that games turned to hobbies turn to a career in which I can try to solve complex problems in more creative ways.
I still play with blocks, little puzzles, games, etc though, so again a hard cut off doesn’t really make sense to me.
I say anything that fuels creativity is a good hobby to have. Legos can build lots of things especially if you have a engineering mind.
Atari games I’m sure are fun, but I’m also sure they spark some kind of imagery in your mind that if applied elsewhere (ie art) could be seen as creative. Or you know… Just fun.
Where i draw the line: you’re 30+ yrs old, and no kids but your favorite show is Bluey… 😒
Do what you like, but I‘d advise you to try some of the things others do. If you don’t like it, fine. If you do, you enhanced your horizon.
In my opinion there are people who just stick to what they know. Therefore, enhance your horizon.
Do what thou wilt.
Of course do whatever makes you happy.
But, from my pov… Given time most people downsize eventually, sometimes financial realities unfold and all the toys and collectibles you don’t have room to store gotta go, and often you don’t get what they are worth if you sell them. If you plan of giving them away or don’t think that kind of change will happen in the near future, then continue to enjoy.
I believe you are asking a specifically biased and chambered audience
personally I don’t have any of this little baby nostalgia
I’m torn. On one hand people should like what they like and that’s that - it’s nobody’s business. On the other, I once worked with a morbidly obese and very unpleasant guy who was obsessed with various toys and figurines. It’s hard for me not to associate such a child-like obsession with a general failure to grow up and take a bit of responsibility for your life.
That said I watched Transformers:The Movie with my kids recently, and remembered just how much I loved it.
My perception of someone with a toys hobby is similar to what you describe, but only if:
- do not know anything else about them, or
- other facts about them do not override this perception that is created by the little toys and cartoon characters
Not nearly as sad as avoiding something you enjoy just because somebody else might find out.
Misery likes company.
My SIL “jokes” that I “must be autistic” because I didn’t want to have kids and like to play legos with my niece.“You’re a very childish adult”, “you don’t want to grow up” well fuck her, you know what she likes? doomscrolling tiktok, following “influencers” and complaining about her kids. I’m VERY happy being who I am and going to keep ignoring her stupid ass
Now that I think about it, I think I actually dated someone like that.
I have an uncle in his 40s, no wife or kids, just buys the newest games and locks himself in his room. Nothing wrong with doing what makes you happy.
“When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up” --C.S. Lewis
The most well adjusted people I know stay in love with something/things from their childhood. Also, revisiting childhood experiences is a popular therapy exercise for recovering from mental trauma.
Lego and old console gaming are two very common things to be interested in as an adult :) If you have a genuine connection to something, don’t force yourself to sever it.
Turns out that if you do your work and pay your taxes you get to decide what to do with your money and time.
Accept that people may not like the things you do. You can always find someone enthusiastic about the same things you are online.
Don’t listen to them and do your own thing.
My household is full of Legos, plushies, little cute collectibles, consoles, board games… And there’s no children. People should enjoy whatever they want to enjoy, no matter the age or gender or whatever.
We only judge people who don’t understand how serious we take playing “Make believe”.
When you either have no personality outside of liking childrens toys, or you find yourself rushing into a store and elbowing people, potentially children, out of the way, so that you can get the toy first.
Ooh no. Im embarrassed just looking at the hotwheels in a store, lol
The only thing that’s sad is being ashamed of your hobbies and interests. Do whatever you want with your free time, I promise that nobody gives a fuck.
There’s nothing sad about enjoying the things you enjoy, thinking there are rules to follow in order to be an adult is the most childish thing you could do as an adult.
You have hobbies and you don’t need anyone to tell you that you are or aren’t allowed to have them, don’t let people who are too afraid to enjoy what they want to enjoy gatekeep you.
Do cool shit.
