When Fascination Becomes Obsession: The Slippery Slope into Madness
How Devotion, Love, and Fixation Spiral Out of Control
Some people collect rare coins.
Others spend thousands of dollars on anime figurines.
Some obsess over a TV show they’ve watched 17 times…
Or a celebrity they’ll never meet.
Or even—serial killers.
Obsession is a funny thing.
Because when it grabs hold of someone?
It doesn’t let go.
But why?
Why do people get so fixated on things that seem bizarre—sometimes even pointless—to the rest of us?
And what does it say about human nature?
Let’s talk about some of the strangest obsessions out there—and what they reveal about the way our brains work.
The People Who Fall in Love with Inanimate Objects
You’ve heard of people falling in love with other people.
But what about someone who falls in love with a bridge?
Yeah. That’s a real thing.
A woman named Erika Eiffel famously “married” the Eiffel Tower in 2007.
She claims to have an emotional and physical connection with the structure.
And she’s not alone.
There are people who claim to have romantic relationships with cars, buildings, and even fences.
Psychologists call it Objectophilia—a condition where people form deep emotional bonds with inanimate objects.
To the rest of us?
It seems insane.
But to them?
It’s real love.
2. The Cult of True Crime
Why do so many people love watching hours of serial killer documentaries?
Why are there entire forums dedicated to Ted Bundy’s favorite snack?
Why do some women write love letters to convicted murderers?
True crime is an obsession
Some psychologists say it’s about understanding danger.
A way for people to learn:
“How do I protect myself?”
Others say it’s about control.
Because watching crime unfold from the safety of your couch makes the world feel a little less chaotic.
And then…
There are the people who just can’t look away from the darkness.
Maybe they don’t even know why.
3. The People Who Think They’re Animals
Some people dress up as foxes, wolves, or dragons…
And insist they are not human.
This is called Otherkin—a community of people who believe they are spiritually or mentally not of this world.
Some say they are reincarnated elves.
Others claim to be vampires.
And yes—there are even self-proclaimed werewolves.
Is it just escapism?
A way to feel unique?
Or something deeper—like a genuine disconnect from reality?
Whatever it is…
They’re committed.
And they’re dead serious about it.
4. The Fanboys Who Take It Too Far
Some people love Marvel movies.
Some people love Star Wars.
But then…
There are the people who will threaten to kill a director if their favorite character dies.
Fandom obsession has spiraled out of control.
Some fans:
Track down actors’ personal addresses.
Send death threats over a movie ending.
Start online wars over which franchise is superior.
Why?
Because when people attach their identity to something…
They take any attack on it personally.
It’s not just a movie.
It’s who they are.
And when something threatens that identity?
They lose the
ir minds.
5. The People Who Hoard Everything
Some people can’t throw away a single newspaper.
Others keep thousands of dolls in their house…
Even when they have no space left to live.
Hoarding is an obsession with things.
And it’s not just about collecting.
It’s about control.
Some hoarders say that getting rid of things feels like losing a part of themselves.
Others are afraid they might need something later—even if it’s a 30-year-old fast food wrapper.
It’s not about being messy.
It’s about not being able to let go.
6. The Bizarre World of Competitive Eating
Some people take food challenges for fun.
Then there are people like Joey Chestnut, who has eaten 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Or Matt Stonie, who can eat 22 pounds of food in one sitting.
These guys aren’t just eating.
They’re obsessed.
They train their stomachs like athletes.
They stretch them out by drinking gallons of water.
They practice swallowing without chewing.
Why?
Because for them…
It’s not about food.
It’s about winning.
7. The People Who Devote Their Lives to Conspiracy Theories
Some people dip into conspiracy theories for fun.
Others lose themselves completely
They quit their jobs.
They lose friends and family.
They spend every waking moment chasing something they can’t prove.
Some believe the Earth is flat.
Some think celebrities are reptilian shapeshifters.
Some insist the moon landing was fake.
Why do they go so deep?
Because conspiracy theories offer certainty.
In a chaotic world, they make people feel like they have the answers.
Like they’re one of the few who “gets it.”
And once they believe?
There’s no going back.
The Guru Follower
It started as self-improvement.
A book, a podcast, a retreat. Just a little guidance, a little wisdom, a little “higher consciousness.”
But then the guru’s voice became their voice. Their words became scripture. Their identity? Fused with the teachings.
Now, they quote the guru in casual conversation.
They repost every sermon, buy every exclusive course, chase every retreat like a pilgrim seeking the promised land.
Their bookshelf is an altar, their mindset a mirror. Doubt is “ego resistance.” Criticism is “low vibration.” Every problem?
A lesson in disguise.
They don’t just follow. They surrender.
The guru knows the way, and they will not stray.
Because to question the master is to question themselves. And they are not ready for that.
What Do All These Obsessions Have in Common?
They seem insane to the rest of us.
But to the people who live them?
They’re dead serious.
Because obsession isn’t just about liking something.
It’s about:
✅ Identity – Feeling like it’s part of who you are.
✅ Control – A way to manage anxiety, fear, or uncertainty.
✅ Escape – A way to step out of reality for a while.
✅ Belonging – Finding people who think the same way.
And sometimes…
Obsession goes too far.
It stops being a hobby.
And it starts being a prison.
So… What Are YOU Obsessed With?
Maybe it’s harmless.
Maybe it’s a little too much.
Either way—
We all have something we just can’t let go of.
The only question is…
Are you controlling it?
Or is it controlling you?
Some obsessions are loud.
Others are silent.
Like chasing approval.
Or needing to be needed.
At Self-Love University, we study the quiet addictions—
the patterns that wear your name but don’t serve your soul.
If you’re ready to let go of what’s gripping you…
class is in session when you are.
Until next time,
Anton
Dancer, Writer, Buddhist.
You laid out the strange beauty of obsession. I have to admit, I love people. I love being around them, talking with them, I think I’m obsessed with connection, maybe. Also I for in with the serial killer documentary, I think I’m one of those that just can’t look away from the darkness. There’s something about the way we reach for meaning, for identity, for belonging, even in the oddest corners, that you bring up here. This piece made me think about how easy it is to get lost in things that start as comfort and slowly become cages. Obsession can wear a thousand masks, and I enjoyed how you invite us to look at them without judgment. Thank you for this.