Are You A Collector? Is It An Addiction? My Collections~Part One
65Collecting From Way Back...
As far back as I can remember, I have been collecting one thing or another! My earliest recollection, is age 4, in Alaska.
I had a big "family" of stuffed critters, in every color under the rainbow. All were friends, actually family is more like it!!! They were soft and cuddly in just the right places and each had a name, as they were all so very special in my little heart, until that fateful day!!!
My daddy, whom I adored, came in from work one afternoon and announced to my mother, we were leaving Alaska for a new life in the golden state, California, where the sun never stops shining!!! My five siblings were thrilled, my mother, not so much!! She was an air force wife and had moved almost yearly for the last 20 years...she thought Alaska was it!!! My father had retired from the military two years prior, and they planned to make Alaska "home sweet home". So much for "plans".
The other news: we had three days to get prepared and head south!!!! We were hopping on a military ship, for a week long trek down the pacific coast! Just what every mother wants more than anything, gathering up all earthly belongings, six children and hunker down on a massive vessel for seven days and nights!!!
Caught up in the whirlwind, etched in my mind forever, were the words my father spoke to me the night before our departure, "Honey, you can take only one stuffed animal." It was the turning point in my life!!! I had to say goodbye to my friends, my family... how could I choose one?????
Torn, I made the agonizing decision and told the others goodbye, tears streaming across my chubby cheeks. I did not sleep that night and barely slept for the next seven nights on board ship. My little heart ached, as I worried about my "babies" and if they were being taken care of by the neighbor girl I had entrusted with their fragile lives. My tears could have filled the entire ocean!!!!
It was at that time, collecting and "keeping" precious things became an important part of my spirit, my soul, my heart!! In my little mind, I pledged to never, ever give up something I loved again! I would never let someone rip apart my life like that! I would never give away something that meant that much to me... It was a pact I intended to keep.
Through the years, I've collected everything, rocks, rose petals, toys, clothes, shoes, books, friends... you name it, anything that caught my eye, looked pretty or simply made me feel good!! Through the years I have stashed away little and big treasures alike and now sometimes wonder, did I start collecting to fill a void and did my innocent collecting become an "addiction"??
We all have voids and fill them in our own "creative" and sometimes destructive way!!
According to Wikipedia:
The hobby of collecting includes seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing, and maintaining whatever items are of interest to the individual collector.
When a passion for collecting begins to interfere with your personal life in a negative way...it may be an obsession or addiction and no longer an innocent collection.
Symptoms of a collecting addiction could include:
- You look for, buy, trade collectibles for hours on end, and the time you spend doing this has increased
- You think about collectibles constantly, even when you’re not actively collecting
- You have missed important meetings and events because of collecting
- It's difficult for you to not buy more collectibles
- You try to sneak more items into your home and hide them away
- You have tried, unsuccessfully, to stop collecting
- Your family or friends have asked you to cut back on collecting
- Your personal interests have changed because of your collecting
- You have created a financial burden on yourself and/or family due to your collecting
- You have lost a personal or professional relationship because of collecting
- The collecting no longer "makes you happy"
I am not certain if my collecting has crossed the line, as I do find myself with many emotional ties to the items I collect and treasure. I know that I don't spend endless hours collecting, nor do I spend all our money on items I just can't pass up...so I think I'm "good to go", or I have my "addiction" under control.
I do love "hunting and gathering" and it just happens to be items I want to arrange and enjoy in my little home sweet home. I do smile and find comfort in many of the items... On that note, I just realized... In the last three years, I have begun to "hunt and gather" critters as well; at last count there was 70+ on our little farm!!!
I believe as long as I am collecting items or critters and I can afford it and come from a place of love and nurturing...it's ok. And, if it is an "addiction", it's far better than several I have, fight off and face every single day of my life.
So here's to the teddy bears, rolling pins, birdhouses, kitchen gadgets, plates, chickens, photos, wood boxes, home decor, quilts, rain boots and a multitude of fabulous items I cherish. And, of course to all the critters big and small I love so dearly!!!
My Collections ~ Part One
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Comments
That would be cool....hmmmmmmmmm an entire additional home, just to house collections...I'll have to chat with Dave about that tonight ... lol. Hey, that means MORE collections too!!! You are quite the "thinker" ... just one of the things I love about ya!!!!
I was devastated that your father made you leave all your beloved stuffed animals behind. Read Attic of the Wind, a treasured children's book, and you'll find that you'll be reunited with them one day!
Great hub - and thanks for sharing your collections via photos. Enjoyed them all.
Thanks for sharing your collections and your story. I collect scottie dogs and educational materials:) My husband is into lighthouses and gargoyls! Sadly I don't have a class of my own next year so I have got to bring everything home from school - I definitely need another house just to store the educational stuff. Think I'm going to have to somehow bring myself to part from some of it.
unfortunately when we moved to Spain lots of stuff had to go to good homes and there isn't much storage in our new home and Malc my husband likes things minimalist.
My love is photography I scanned all my old family photos and gave the originals to my brother but now because I have them on my hard drive I get to see them much more often than I did when they were in albums.
I love digital which is just as well because I take photos and videos of everything. I can't bare to throw any photos away even the ones that didn't turn out how I wanted them to. Maybe I am slightly addicted ok you got me My name is maggie and I am a photography addict. lol
I was a collector of many things before I decided to sell all and hit the road. Oh gosh! How it hurt to get rid of objects I loved. All I kept was the memories and that is all I collect now. Nice hub. Thanks.
I collect books, and movies. Thats all I collect. But the books are of only three authors that I like, not sure if that constitutes a collection though. Great hub.
Really enjoyed this very much, makes me feel better that I'm not alone. At the moment its the lovely batiks and Thai prints and it's driving my husband nuts. He will only allow me to visit the Batik store once a month now! and puts limit on my money....!
Thank you for a lovely read.
Waiting patiently for the hub with the blue print for the new "Farm Girl Collection Wing Off The North Side of the Barn"
You all are so kind for taking time to read my hubs...I know there are so, so many here on hp!!!! And, to give me feedback, well...that just feeds my little soul...:-)!!! And, you dear Candie.... you make me laugh (you little stand up, or should I say, sit down...cause you're probably sittin' when you write all your clever material!!!) every single day...you're something else I tell ya!!!!! Another wing on the barn....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, another great idea you have!!! Now, where's that hammer!!!!!
I had to laugh because Carlos says I have a collection of collections! LOL
I still have most of my collections which includes stuffed animals, unicorns, barbies, magnets, shot glasses, music boxes, lots and lots of photos and etc etc.
I loved the story and the photos!
By the way we were in Alaska when I was 5 so just missed you and when we left there we also went to California!!
Tooooooooooooooooo funny!!!!! Is your frig completely covered by now???? I wish I had some of my earlier collections...remember my carebears and all my teddies...oh-so-many!? In all the moves, I had to give up so much!!! :-( There are old photos I can never get back, those are the worst/hardest to lose!!
Such a sweet Hub. Love the Teddies. I collect Angels. Come to think of it, the things you collect could bring you some money later in life, as they would have a higher value. :)
Great hub, as usual. I collect magnetic poetry, the little words that completely cover my fridge and that at the moment entertain my foster kittens (they pull them off every day, the ones they can reach!). I also collect My Little Ponies, educational materials, books, and iron-on patches. My husband collects DVDs.
It appears that I collect everything that you don't. Together our collections would rule the flea market. Imagine our dismay when we moved to Texas and found out that magnets don't stick to stainless steel!! All those magnets and no place to go!!! Thanks for the hub from the worlds second best collector.
Stuart
Thanks all....for reading and commenting... you always make me feel soooooooooooooooo good and bring a smile to my face!!!
Hello Montana Farm Girl, I loved this hub, and it was hard to read about your tears seeming they could fill an ocean when you had to part with your stuffed animals!!
I am a collector, and love bracelets too, oh my goodness... How fun to see pictures of your collections. Thank you for sharing. :) Ocean
Hey, Montana ... I collect science fiction and rocks and lenses when I can get my hands on some. I don't know what I will ever do with all those lenses, but I am sure it will be interesting!
So glad you stopped by to check out my hub...love hearing about what others collect as well!!!
Both of us try really, really hard to keep 'stuff' under control - because our houses are packed. Both of us work at home and need some calm, clear spaces. BUT there are some things we collect. Pat has theatre programmes - Tricia bits and pieces.
Love your photos!
Hey 2Pat.... I know, it can get out of control huh!? And, clear space is important... too much clutter is not good for any one and can put a damper on our creative energy. Thanks for stopping by!! :-)
GROOVY! i collect troll dolls, coins and pins from European countries, Hello Kitty stuff and anything to do with bunny rabbits. i dig this hub!
Hey Cosette.... I'm so glad you enjoyed my hub.... I had a troll doll collection when I was young and still remember my favorite was one with purple hair!!! Oh, how I wish I had that collection back!!! Sounds like you are a true collector too... "ain't it fun!!!?" Thanks for reading and taking time to leave me some feedback!!! Come back again and again ok!!? :-)
That's military child for you always holding onto every thing they can. I lived in Alaska, Ny, TX, Nev,Germany,Californian, WI and Ark. My Dad even moved when we weren't in the military he just couldn't get it out of his blood.
I have pretty much the same collections you do. We moved into a smaller farm house so most of mine is stored away now (in our barn) but I bring out as much as I can. I don't like a house that has nothing in it. I know it takes lots of dusting but it's home to me with our collectables. Our kids don't like them so someday they will all go to strangers.
Loved your hub.
Hi again. I'm an avid collector - mostly turtles and swatch watches. I get obsessive about my collecting. Thank you for a great article.
What a lovely hub. I felt your pain as I read about your having to leave your beloved stuffed animals when you moved. But it sounds like you've made up for it with your current collections. I try not to let people know what I "collect," as I tended to get these things for birthdays, etc. Not that I didn't appreciate their thoughtfulness, but collections are very personal things, and most collectors are really selective about what enters their "collection." So, now I'm a closet collector. Of course, just one look around my home will give most of them away! Oh well!
Thank you for sharing your collections with us. You have inspired me with your photo collection. I have scrapbooked most of mine, which is a collection. Your photos have inspired me to get out my extra frames and make copies of some of these pics to put on display, as well. Thanks, Montana Girl. Great writing!
I keep all my movie stubs...I guess that's considered collecting, huh? :) I also collect kitchen timers. I love 'em! Thanks again for a great hub!
Montana, collecting is the artist's addiction--keep going--love your collections! Kartika
I didn;t know you collected bracelets. Are you holong out on me????
Thanks girls for "supporting" me on the hub!!! You always make me smile!!!! I so appreciate you taking time to read and leave a comment!!! Amy, I collect them, not make them like you :-)
Candie V says:
5 months ago
I do. Ok, but heck nothing like yours! You're gonna have to add on a whole other house to house these treasures... which btw, where are your boots?