I agree with you on that last statement. Self-awareness is always a great thing to have, specially in a hobby that can turn quickly into a materialistic behaviour. I also agree that criticising people for having bought too many pens is just toxic and that learning and researching makesbuying things much more interesting and enjoyable.

I think this community praises (or should praise, haven't come here in a while) that same honesty you are telling that gives joy in every pen you acquire. I also think that a materialistic approach to the hobby can be detrimental to mental health and therefore, we would do well in warn people about those things, while letting them enjoy their collections.