Some Habits Are Hard to Break
And then there was today. (9/15/26)
I stopped by Target looking for the new WWE LJN figures.
I wasn’t there to hunt Hot Wheels.
At least, that wasn’t the plan.
While I was there, I found out they had a fresh Hot Wheels case waiting. The clerk popped it open for me, and just like that, there they were.
A regular Treasure Hunt.
And a Super Treasure Hunt.
I had to laugh.
After everything I’ve written here about being done with the daily hunt, about realizing I have better things to spend my time on, about no longer wanting Hot Wheels to dictate where I go, there I was standing over a freshly opened case again.
Some habits are hard to break.
But I don’t think that means I’m back to where I was.
There’s a difference between hunting every day because you feel like you have to and finding something because you happened to be there.
I wasn’t driving around looking for Hot Wheels.
I was looking for wrestling figures.
The Hot Wheels just happened to find me.
And honestly, I’m glad they did.
Because maybe that’s the version of collecting I can live with now.
If I happen to find a Red Edition, a Zamac, or a Super Treasure Hunt, I’ll probably still get excited. Of course I will.
I’m still a collector.
I’m just not a Hot Wheels hunter anymore.
Maybe I don’t have to completely stop loving the thrill of finding one.
I just don’t need to chase it.
