It all started with curiosity—isn’t that how most unexpected obsessions begin? I wasn’t planning on collecting anything. In fact, I didn’t even know what a Labubu was until my coworker casually mentioned their growing collection. That was my first mistake: listening.

The second mistake? Watching TikToks about Labubu.

The Curiosity Phase: “I Just Want to See What the Hype Is About”

At first, it was harmless. I watched as my coworker unboxed tiny, mischievous-looking creatures with big eyes, pointy ears, and a row of sharp little teeth. They were kind of cute, kind of weird, and strangely… interesting.

Then TikTok took over. My feed became a stream of Labubu collectors showing off their shelves, unboxing blind boxes, and sharing the thrill of the hunt for rare figures. Every time I scrolled, I saw another one, and my curiosity kept growing.

That’s when I thought: Okay, maybe I’ll just get one. Just to see what it’s like.

The First Purchase: The Gateway Labubu

The day I got my first Labubu, I told myself, This is just for fun. I’m not collecting.

Fast forward a little, and I now have three. 🙃

Each time I opened a box, I felt that little rush of excitement. It was fun! But then I started wondering… Is this a good idea?

Where Do I Go From Here?

At this point, I wouldn’t call myself a collector (yet). But I’m at that stage where I’m asking myself: Do I really love them, or was this just a curiosity-driven impulse?

I think the answer lies in why I bought them in the first place. If I genuinely enjoy them and they make me happy, then there’s nothing wrong with keeping them. But if it was just the influence of TikTok and my coworker’s enthusiasm, then maybe it’s time to pause before this turns into a full-blown obsession.

Should You Start Collecting Labubu?

If you’re thinking about getting into Labubu (or any collectible), here are a few things to consider:

Do you truly love the design and concept? Or is it just a trend that’s sucking you in?

Will you be okay stopping at just a few? If you get one and suddenly feel the urge to buy more, you might be heading into collector territory.

Do you have the budget for it? Because let’s be real, Labubu collecting can get expensive fast.

Right now, I’m in a fun but dangerous stage—I enjoy the ones I have, but I’m still deciding if this is just a phase or the beginning of something bigger. Either way, one thing’s for sure: Labubu has a way of sneaking into your life when you least expect it!

For now, I’ll just admire my three little monsters… but let’s see how long that lasts.