I hope (or don’t hope) you clicked on this thread’s title because it struck a chord with you. I had a rather complicated family situation growing up, and Pokemon was a sort of escape for me. It’s always helped me separate good childhood memories from bad. For instance, I have fond memories of opening ex FRLG packs with my brother contrasted by synchronous memories of my family structure being torn apart. Rebuilding my collection has helped me isolate the innocent parts of my upbringing. Without getting too therapeutic and personal, does anyone else have a deeper attachment to what they collect?
My childhood ended around 2010, which, subsequently is where my collection ends. I’m a happily functioning member of society today but Pokemon cards have played a big part in building my identity. Maybe this isn’t the right place for this but I’d love to know that someone else can relate to what I’m referring to. I’d love to hear your stories and emotional connections to your cards.
Growing up poor and from a complicated family background, collecting was definitely a therapeutic outlet outside of the norm. Outside of some early life traumas, my mother was on social security since she had multiple sclerosis while my sister and I helped her around the house. However, living off of essentially 12k a year was difficult for a family of 4 (my sister, grandmother, mother, and I) so my sister and I started “collections” as a way of making it feel like we still had “things” to our name. She used to collect bottle caps, can tabs, dead bugs, and skulls. I started collecting coins, dead flowers, keys, and marbles. Things that we could find on the street.
But we both loved Pokemon.
Since we couldn’t rely on getting packs often, we relied on luck, generous friends, and trades to get our collections going. It helped build a little community inside and outside of school for many of us who grew up in similar backgrounds in the same area. Sitting down and trading with friends in our neighborhood definitely got us through some tough times. And when 2nd gen was announced? Man, that was responsible for some of the most memorable moments to this day - a bunch of middle schoolers talking about Pikablu and what Pokemon evolved from what before Neo was finally released.
Maybe that’s also another reason why I like Gyarados so much. Gyarados is the result of hard work, dedication, and immense struggle. I wish I could go back in time and show little-me the quaint little collection I have now - they would be so pumped. Until they found out that I stopped collecting Mewtwo. XD
Not a sad story, but slightly similar. I remember getting a Gameboy colour for my birthday when I was 6 or 7, and then visiting my grandparents.
My grandad saw me playing Pokémon and asked if he could borrow it for the weekend. I still remember leaving and waving goodbye and seeing him staring at it like a teenager with a smart phone lol. This was a 65 year old man who’s 80 now and still can’t work a computer.
Few days later I visited again and he’d gone out and bought his own GBC and Pokémon Gold. He’d basically just pick the fire starter and solo the entire game with it, but he’d speak to every character and try and complete the Pokédex as well. I think it relaxed him and he’d play a lot before bed.
He’s still with us but he’s got dementia now, so he can’t play the games anymore. Collecting cards helps me remember the many hundreds of hours we spent playing together, and sometimes I show them to him. He seems more interested in the games though.
When i was a little tyke some of the gyms from pokemon emerald were too confusing for me so i would get help from my dad to solve the puzzles. I distinctly remember the gym in sootopolis or whatever its called (water/ice gym) and my dad walking over the ice so that you dont fall through.
Holy shit I’ve never realized this until now, but I experienced somewhat of a life changing traumatic event in the winter of 1999-2000, which also happened to be the time at which all the other kids started to lose interest in collecting (after fossil). I suppose 1999 and the TCG pokemania was a time right before my personal life took a brief downturn.
I don’t need another Pokemon card, I need a therapist!!!
Yeah dude. I have a family member whom I have fallen out with. I don’t have a lot of great memories but a few times are related to buying cards. Not sure that’s why I still do it.
