How To Get The Most Out Of Collecting?

As some of you may know, I am still learning the ins and outs in this hobby. I started to organize my stock book by subject (one page dedicated to animals, next to plants, next to animals, and so on). The problem is, I just focus on completing sets, and not entirely enjoy doing it what are some ways you complete sets with no history involved in the subject and yet learn, enjoy, and look forward to starting a new one?

I mainly need advice on the flora and fauna sections for now.

Thanks for any feedback

The "easy" way, for you as a "Thematic" collector,
is to go to your ebay,
Enter the text "Thematic Flora" in the "stamps" category.

Go window shopping on the result, and pick what appeals to you. "sets" will be advised.

..or "topical Fauna"

Be aware, a collection in this manner, will end up 4 times more expensive,
than collecting "worldwide" lots, and patiently building a collection.

I see for $2,000 you can purchase 7 stockbooks full of Flora,
and become an immediate advanced collector, but do you want to go that route?

It's more expensive because one is paying someone else to do the building (buying, sorting) of the collection. For someone just starting out, it's better to buy some worldwide kiloware and see what thematic groups emerge from it. You may end up collecting some themes you never expected to but that's some of the fun you are looking for. You'll also end up with a lot of stuff that doesn't fit "your" themes (definitives with "boring" numeral designs). Fine. Just put it aside for now. Some day you may decide to collect certain countries and those definitives will fill holes for you. Or you can trade them away or sell them (maybe). Or give them to another beginner (by then you'll be "ancient" at 38 or 40 years old).

Hello there, as I suggested to you in a previous thread, you need to join a local stamp club! You are in an area where there are dozens of clubs and hundreds of collectors. Go to a meeting and talk to some of these folks so you get some feeling for collecting!
If you are really interested in topical collecting ( flora and fauna ), the American Topical Association is tailor made for you!

Peter