I honestly can’t remember exactly when I first started collecting Pokémon cards — probably over 20 years ago, sometime in my early 20s. I remember getting a starter pack, playing for a bit, enjoying the adventure for a while, and then… life happened. Work started, routines kicked in, and I completely stopped. Pokémon slowly faded from my daily life.
But here’s the funny part: I didn’t throw my cards away. I kept them in good condition, carefully packed and stored — almost like I instinctively knew they might matter again someday, even if I didn’t realise why at the time.
Recently, a friend of mine reignited that spark. She kept sharing her Pokémon card finds and shopping hauls, and suddenly it all came rushing back. I remembered my own collection, dug it out, and… yes, guess what — they’re vintage. Cards from the early sets, still in really good condition, quietly sitting there all these years in my old floppy disk case. The rulebook, small glass pebbles, status markers, and playmat aren’t lost — they’re carefully stored somewhere in storage, waiting for their turn to be rediscovered.
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| My #VintagePokémon Card Collection |
Seeing them again made me realise how much Pokémon has changed since I last paid attention to it. It’s evolved so much — expanded, grown, and exploded into something far bigger than I remembered. In a way, it feels like I’m picking things up from where I left off, but also having to relearn the whole world all over again.
That feeling didn’t stop there. Inspired by my friend, I picked up Pokémon GO again. I hadn’t played in years, but this time it felt different. Since I already enjoy walking and running, letting Pokémon quietly sit alongside that routine felt natural rather than forced. Eggs hatching by distance became a small bonus to something I was already doing anyway.
There’s something quite nice about that. No pressure, no rushing — just moving, being outdoors, and occasionally stopping to catch a Pokémon (while still watching the road, of course). It’s a gentle mix of the past and present, showing up in small, ordinary moments rather than anything overly exciting.
That said, I’ve probably been a little too focused on catching Pokémon lately — to the point where my partner has had to compete with my phone for attention. Slightly guilty, but also slightly amused at how something I picked up years ago has quietly found its way back into my daily life.
The craziest thing is how timeless Pokémon collecting is — whether it’s cards or Pokémon GO. Some people do it for nostalgia, some for gameplay, some for investment. I think mine sits somewhere in between. Each card tells a story — not of childhood, but of a different phase of life — curiosity, patience, and the simple enjoyment of collecting something just because it’s fun.
Now, with my old collection back in my hands and Pokémon GO becoming part of my walks and runs, I feel like I’m reconnecting with a part of myself I didn’t even realise I missed. Vintage or not, every card and every catch feels like a small piece of magic.
Do you have something tucked away somewhere that could surprise you if you looked for it? Or maybe a collection you started and forgot about? I’d love to hear what you’ve rediscovered — leave a comment or share a story. Sometimes, the things you thought you left behind come back in the best way. They surprise you, delight you, and make you feel… a little more like yourself again.
May x
