'Not a Luxury but self-care': Filipina mum in Darwin finds joy in collecting Hello Kitty and Care Bears

Key Points

• In 2024, 35-year-old Contessa Pangilinan began collecting Hello Kitty and Care Bears toys. She says her interest was influenced by her mother, who is based in the Philippines.
• Today, her collection is estimated to include nearly 50 items, with a total value of more than AUD 2,000. Notably, all of the toys remain unopened to help preserve their condition and value.
• For Contessa, the hobby is not a luxury but a form of self-care and a way to find happiness amid the responsibilities of being a wife and mother.
• According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), self-care contributes to the psychological wellbeing of parents. It helps mothers maintain a sense of self and better cope with the demands and pressures of parenthood.