I collect things... I wouldn't call myself a hoarder, but I have trouble letting go of things. Recently, I have been doing a lot of sorting and sifting of my collection and it has been draining to put it mildly. Sometimes I don't know where to begin.
I love to be surrounded by things that I find inspiring or beautiful. So collecting comics, toys, film and tee shirts has been like breathing for me. I find they give me great pleasure, but it isn't really about the object itself for me I love the beauty and everything and the who I relate to it... But It's more of the memories that they represent. I am sure that doesn't sound like a ground breaking statement in terms of why people hold onto things, but it's the simple truth. Some people take pictures... I watch movies and remember what I did the day I saw it... I remember and relive how it made me feel anytime I re watch it. Some people visit a place from their childhood that gives them a rush of memories... I will read an old comic or just look through them and remember when I first saw it, who I was w/ and why it was a good day or a bad day. Some people collect shot glasses from places they have visited... I have managed to hold onto and rediscover many of my favorite action figures from my childhood, which are filled w/ memories of my friends, family and even some of my favorite locations! Some people listen to music( Guilty) and relive moments of their life... In my crazy mind every time I put on a tee shirt it represents a time in my life. I have a closet full of shirts that reference what I believe to be important times in my life, and many have been given to me by important people from those times! (even purchased w/ money or a gift card they gave to me).
I have been settling into my new place unpacking and figuring out where things are going to go, and more importantly the things I need to let go. I have learned that now more than ever I have a lot of stuff. It has nothing to do w/ me needing to have things, it's just pure and simple memories to me and beauty. I recently sold of some figures I have had for many years. Many where given to me by people who loved me very much... some I don't see any more but will always care for very deeply. Letting go of them was not easy, but when I did I felt better. I am lucky enough to have a very good memory and I know that although I don't have those specific toys anymore, I will always remember them and who I received them from. I think of my stuff as a bridesmaid needing to lose a few pounds before the wedding... I need to slim down my life but hold of to the things that are the most important.
The thing about collecting things is that they are always around even when the people who gave them to you go. People tend to leave, drift a part or betray for various reasons but maybe they gave you something... and even though they are gone they are always still there to remind that you guys had fun. Or that you guys cared for each other once... so much so that they went out w/ you in mind and picked out something cool for you... maybe they even made you something? Collecting is very personal and not just for the collector...many times the people that care for you take interest in something you love because they love you. So when you get a cool gift take a moment to always remember who got it for you... find a nice place for it, remember the person when you wear it or recall the time the two of you enjoyed a film together as you watch it again. People leave sometimes, that is life, but memories stay w/ you just like the figures, films and funny books I surround myself w/ both for inspiration and because I like to remember the good times in certain periods of my life. So take care of each other and remember where you are now and who you're w/... Someday it may be a very special memory to you. Be kind to each other.
I love to be surrounded by things that I find inspiring or beautiful. So collecting comics, toys, film and tee shirts has been like breathing for me. I find they give me great pleasure, but it isn't really about the object itself for me I love the beauty and everything and the who I relate to it... But It's more of the memories that they represent. I am sure that doesn't sound like a ground breaking statement in terms of why people hold onto things, but it's the simple truth. Some people take pictures... I watch movies and remember what I did the day I saw it... I remember and relive how it made me feel anytime I re watch it. Some people visit a place from their childhood that gives them a rush of memories... I will read an old comic or just look through them and remember when I first saw it, who I was w/ and why it was a good day or a bad day. Some people collect shot glasses from places they have visited... I have managed to hold onto and rediscover many of my favorite action figures from my childhood, which are filled w/ memories of my friends, family and even some of my favorite locations! Some people listen to music( Guilty) and relive moments of their life... In my crazy mind every time I put on a tee shirt it represents a time in my life. I have a closet full of shirts that reference what I believe to be important times in my life, and many have been given to me by important people from those times! (even purchased w/ money or a gift card they gave to me).
I have been settling into my new place unpacking and figuring out where things are going to go, and more importantly the things I need to let go. I have learned that now more than ever I have a lot of stuff. It has nothing to do w/ me needing to have things, it's just pure and simple memories to me and beauty. I recently sold of some figures I have had for many years. Many where given to me by people who loved me very much... some I don't see any more but will always care for very deeply. Letting go of them was not easy, but when I did I felt better. I am lucky enough to have a very good memory and I know that although I don't have those specific toys anymore, I will always remember them and who I received them from. I think of my stuff as a bridesmaid needing to lose a few pounds before the wedding... I need to slim down my life but hold of to the things that are the most important.
The thing about collecting things is that they are always around even when the people who gave them to you go. People tend to leave, drift a part or betray for various reasons but maybe they gave you something... and even though they are gone they are always still there to remind that you guys had fun. Or that you guys cared for each other once... so much so that they went out w/ you in mind and picked out something cool for you... maybe they even made you something? Collecting is very personal and not just for the collector...many times the people that care for you take interest in something you love because they love you. So when you get a cool gift take a moment to always remember who got it for you... find a nice place for it, remember the person when you wear it or recall the time the two of you enjoyed a film together as you watch it again. People leave sometimes, that is life, but memories stay w/ you just like the figures, films and funny books I surround myself w/ both for inspiration and because I like to remember the good times in certain periods of my life. So take care of each other and remember where you are now and who you're w/... Someday it may be a very special memory to you. Be kind to each other.