Collections and clutter are two different things.
Clutter is an untidy collection of things where as collections are several “like” items intended for display or investment. Now a collection can be untidy if it is not stored, displayed or cared for properly.
Ask yourself these questions:
Did you start the collection?
Is the collection something that you love to look at?
Do you use the collection?
Did the collection happen by accident and then get completely out of control?
Below I am going to explain Collections vs. Clutter. Are they the same or are they different? My 5 simple tips will help you determine this difference.
Tip #1: Is this collection something you started? In the case of Mary. NO! Her parents thought it was a good idea for her to have an owl in her office. Then a friend and then another friend. Never once did my client buy herself an owl. She did not start the collection nor did she ever intend to have an owl collection. This is important to note.
Tip #2: Do you like the collection? My client thought it was ok to have one or maybe two owls in her office, however by the time I started working with her she was not happy with the takeover of owls. They were everywhere and it was looking “cluttery”.
This is where a collection starts to become a problem. Another client of mine inherited a salt and pepper shaker collection. She had at least one hundred pairs and only used one!
Tip #3: What to do with the collection? In the case of Mary she was ready for a change in her office. She had enjoyed the owls for many many years.
We decided to keep her top 3 favorites. The one from her parents and two other neat looking ones. The rest we put in the hallway of the university with a sign that said “free”.
Tip #4: What happened next? The interesting thing is that all the people walking past her office door thought she was leaving the campus. They did not understand why all of a sudden she wanted to get rid of the owls. It made them a little uncomfortable at first until they heard she was just going for a change.
All the “free” owls were gone by the end of the day. They each got a new home in several other offices. Mary can go visit her owls any time she likes!
Tip #5: How to stop a collection. If you no longer like the items you are collecting, or someone started collecting for you, or if they have taken over it is time to put a stop to it. This can be a little delicate especially if family and friends have always bought you something to go with your collection. It is an easy gift giving idea for them and now what will they do?
You will need to let EVERYONE know that you are no longer collecting XYZ. Instead you would prefer they give you consumable items or donate to a charity of their choice in your name. Let them know you are downsizing. This might even give them permission to start downsizing too.
Some collections can be sold on EBay, Craigslist or at consignment stores. Some collections can be passed down to other family members. Unfortunately, some collections end up in the landfill.
Be careful what you start to collect. Be mindful of what type of collection you start for others. Is it something you will enjoy for years, does it have a purpose or value?
Once it starts to take over, becomes a dust collector or not serve you any purpose it is time for it to go.
I like to collect interesting people, memories and cash!
Are you having trouble knowing what to do with your collections or clutter? Not sure of its value or whether to keep it.
Please call me today for a FREE 30 minute phone consultation. We will discuss your collections versus your clutter, your specific needs and come up with a plan of action.
www.gettingittogether.ca
I saw your YouTube video about the BC lady who had a crawl space full of life’s “stuff”. I too have the same thing and having recently retired, have decided to purge. I laughed when you said all that should be in your crawl space is tax documents…..what about all the Christmas “stuff”. The summer outdoor furniture, suitcases, photographs, memorabilia, camping “stuff”? I’m doing it one box at a time, like you suggested. But I must admit that I am Looking forward to when I do shed the detritus of a lifetime and can breath a sigh of relief that it’s all gone.
Hi Kath,
More than your tax stuff can be in the crawl space if it properly organized and stored well. I do not like crawl spaces myself so I store my Christmas decorations in the garage as well as outdoor furniture. My memorabilia and photos are in a rubber container in the house in a spare closet.As well as suitcases. I have found that most items in a crawl space are hardly ever looked at.
The best question to ask yourself when purging is “what is the purpose of keeping this?” or ” Would I replace it if it were lost in a flood?” which can happen in a crawl space.
Thank you for the great comments. Keep them coming. All the best with your downsizing.Always here for you.
How did she end up getting rid of her salt & pepper collection? I need to get rid of mine “respectfully” such as selling them to a collector or giving them to a museum and I’m looking for ideas of who to connect with.
Hello Pat,
My first suggestion would be to put them on Craigs List or EBay. Check on there to see if anyone else is selling collections of S and P and for what price. My next suggestion would be to donate them to your local favorite coffee shop/cafe. It could be in your area or one you go to when you are travelling. Please do keep me posted as to where they end up.
Keep in mind collections are most valuable to the owners as it usually falls under the sentimental category.