I used to collect lots of things. When I was younger that was a favorite way to pass my time. I can’t imagine how much I spent on things like that. Like they say, hindsight is 20/20.
As I am striving to have a more minimalistic life I have already gotten rid of a lot of that stuff. There are currently two collections that I can think of that are still in my basement. I have a box with a bunch of Davey Allison souvenirs from my teens and early 20s when I was a big Nascar fan. I also have a box full of Mary’s Moo Moos. They are both going to a local auction house next month and will be awarded to the highest bidder.
Happily, I can say that I have no regrets about letting them go. Just because I have Davey Allison souvenirs doesn’t mean I am more of a fan than the next guy. Likewise, having a box of cow figures doesn’t prove that I love cows. I’ll still love them after the figurines are gone. As cute as they are my biggest memory of them is how dusty they used to get when they were displayed on shelves on my wall. It was such an ordeal to dust around each one that I put it off. Then I beat myself up for letting them get so dusty! I have no desire for that kind of negative energy in my house.
I think that collections are great if that’s your thing and they bring you joy, but for me it’s just something else to maintain or hide away in a box. My collection of memories and the peace of mind of a clutter-free space are what matters most to me these days.
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I ended up collecting frogs unexpectedly. While out shopping for a baby shower gift, I picked up this adorable little squeaky frog to put on my desk at work so he could eat the bugs in my programs. Someone saw it and presented me with a ceramic frog. Over the years the collection grew and contained many different items. Widowed at 58, I sold everything at 60 and became a full-time RVer in my little motorhome. No room for collections, so I only kept a few that I loved. Now in a house again, I have added a few more that sit in my bookcase.
I also collect antique/vintage pitchers and creamers and those sit on the top of my kitchen cabinets. I also have a collection of small Toby mugs on top of my china cabinet which contains the collections from my time with my current husband. McNicol china, pint glasses from our travels, and a few other things.
It sounds like those things are special to you. 🤗👍
I like the title!
My wife and I are pretty minimalist. Yet we live in a house (not ours) that is full of collections – which themselves are mostly collecting dust. I just don’t see the appeal or the point.
Thank you
I collect Dolls (mainly Madame Alexander), Skulls (not real and not Day of the Dead.. also, Human looking only) and Friday -The-13th Stuff. I’m sure you have seen my life -sized Jason Voorhees.
I have 3 dolls in total that I have kept and one that belonged to my Granny. Jason Voorhees is definitely cool, but I’ve always been a Michael Myers kinda girl. 😄
That’s cool. They are of the same time period.