Reflecting on What Makes Collecting Meaningful for Me

I used to think grocery shopping was just about ticking boxes—grab the cheapest cereal, toss in whatever veggies look passable, and hope my fridge didn’t become a science experiment by Friday.

But something changed the morning I found myself standing in the cereal aisle, paralyzed by a box of Lucky Charms.

It wasn’t hunger or indecision.

It was nostalgia, pure and sharp, like a song from childhood I’d forgotten I knew.

"I found a video on YouTube that was a compilation of commercials from the mid 90’s and it unlocked something in my where I could literally like feel myself back in time to being a 10 year old in ‘96 watching tv."

Turns out, food isn’t just fuel. It’s a memory machine.

Why I Fell for the Grocery Myth

For years, I bought into the myth that the only thing that mattered in the grocery and food world was price and practicality. Why pay extra for name-brand cookies or a quirky collectible? That’s just clutter, right?

I’d roll my eyes at friends who collected old cereal boxes or kept those weird supermarket keychains. Who needs another thing to dust? My shopping cart was a graveyard of buy-one-get-one deals, bland and forgettable.

But then the pandemic hit. Suddenly, the routine grocery run was the only adventure in my week. I started noticing how certain foods made me feel—sometimes comforted, sometimes homesick, sometimes weirdly sad and happy at the same time.

It’s not just me. There’s this wave of nostalgia out there that hits at the oddest times. "There’s a lot of nostalgic type videos that come up on my “for you page” on tiktok too. Some of the pictures and sounds are just too familiar and nostalgic sometimes." If you’ve ever felt a lump in your throat over a discontinued snack or a jingle from your childhood, you get it.

But I convinced myself it was just a phase. Grown-ups don’t care about that stuff, do they?

The Moment Everything Shifted

One Tuesday last fall, I was cleaning out a kitchen drawer and found an old supermarket loyalty card from a store that closed years ago. It was a plastic rectangle, faded and scratched, but the moment I held it, I was back in my mom’s car, swinging my legs and clutching a bag of animal crackers.

The smell of the bakery section. The beep of the scanner. My mom’s laugh as I tried (and failed) to sneak an extra pack of cookies.

It hit me—these little things aren’t just junk. They’re time capsules.

So I started searching for more. That’s how I stumbled onto the Toys R Us Babies R Us Rewards Member Card Collectible 2010 for about $14. Not a food item, but it unlocked the same feelings—standing in line for a free cookie at the bakery, the thrill of holding something that made me feel like I belonged in the store.

I hesitated. Am I really about to spend money on a plastic card? But I remembered how that old loyalty card made me feel. So I clicked buy.

When it arrived, I found myself grinning like a kid. Not because the card itself was magical, but because it brought back a flood of memories. "Like a flood of random sense memories. It also gave me a feeling of overwhelming sadness and loss. It was so strange because it gave me such great comfort and also such great sadness at the same time."

It wasn’t just about nostalgia, though. Having that card on my keychain actually changed how I shopped. I started looking for foods I remembered from childhood, tracking down old recipes, even trying out retro snacks I’d missed the first time around.

Here’s what surprised me:

I started enjoying grocery shopping again
I made healthier choices because I was more intentional
I connected with friends and family by sharing stories about old favorites
I felt less stressed about spending a few extra dollars on things that made me happy

That little card was a reminder: food isn’t just about what’s on sale. It’s about what feeds your spirit.

How You Can Use This Perspective

You don’t have to become a full-blown collector or fill your pantry with discontinued cereals. But maybe try this:

Next grocery trip, pick one item that reminds you of a happy memory
Let yourself buy that silly collectible or retro snack—just once
Share the story with someone (or even just write it down)
Don’t beat yourself up for wanting a little comfort or nostalgia

If collectibles appeal to you, the Toys R Us Babies R Us Rewards Member Card Collectible 2010 is a surprisingly affordable way (about $14) to spark those memories. If that’s not your thing, there are other options—vintage store keychains, old recipe books, or even just a retro snack from the international aisle.

Here’s the truth I wish I’d realized sooner:

"Nostalgia isn’t a weakness. It’s a connection."

If you’re someone who wants to keep things minimal, try snapping a photo of an item or writing down the memory instead. If you love the tactile feeling of holding something from the past, let yourself have that too.

The important part is giving yourself permission to find meaning in the little things.

Final Thoughts: Try It for Yourself

Let yourself enjoy the weird, wonderful connections between food, memory, and happiness. If you’re curious, try picking up something like this collectible card this week—or hunt down a retro snack you loved as a kid.

Stop telling yourself it’s silly to care. Whether it’s a collectible card, a vintage recipe, or just a box of cereal that takes you back, give yourself that small joy. Your memories—and your grocery list—will thank you.

Reflecting on What Makes Collecting Meaningful for Me