Dear Sunny Sage,

I’ve been struggling with something and need your perspective. I’m a woman who loves visiting thrift stores and finding unique treasures. Over the years, I’ve amassed quite a collection, and my home is filled with items that I truly cherish. However, it’s becoming difficult to move around in my house due to the sheer volume of stuff.

Friends and family have started calling me a hoarder, but I see myself as a collector with a passion for preserving these wonderful finds. I don’t want to change because I take pride in everything I’ve collected.

Am I a hoarder or a collector? How do I know when my hobby is becoming a problem, and what should I do about it?

Sincerely,

Proud but Perplexed

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Dear Proud but Perplexed,

Thank you for sharing your situation so openly. Your love for collecting unique treasures from thrift stores is clear, and it’s wonderful that you find joy and pride in your collection. The distinction between being a collector and a hoarder can indeed be nuanced, and understanding this difference can help you determine the best path forward.

Collector vs. Hoarder

Collector: Collectors typically seek specific items of value or interest, organize their collections, and take pleasure in displaying and maintaining them. Collecting is often driven by passion, knowledge, and the enjoyment of preserving history or art.

Hoarder: Hoarding, on the other hand, involves acquiring and struggling to discard items regardless of their actual value. This behavior often leads to clutter that impedes the use of living spaces and can negatively impact health and safety. Hoarding is generally driven by an emotional attachment to items and fear of losing them, even when they have little practical use.

Reflect on Your Situation

Consider the following questions to help assess your situation:

1. Functionality: Is your home still functional? Can you use your living spaces as intended (e.g., cooking in the kitchen, sleeping in the bedroom)?
2. Organization: Are your collections organized and displayed in a way that you can appreciate them, or are they piled up and hard to access?
3. Emotional Response: How do you feel about the idea of parting with some items? Does it cause significant distress or anxiety?
4. Impact on Life: Is your collecting impacting your daily life, relationships, or health in a negative way?

Finding Balance

It’s important to strike a balance between enjoying your hobby and maintaining a safe, functional living environment. Here are some suggestions to help you manage your collection:

1. Set Limits: Establish specific areas in your home for your collections. If new items exceed these spaces, consider it a sign to reassess and perhaps let go of some older items.
2. Regular Review: Periodically review your collection. Ask yourself if each item still brings you joy or serves a purpose. This can help you make decisions about what to keep and what to part with.
3. Organize and Display: Invest time in organizing and displaying your items in a way that allows you to appreciate them without creating clutter.
4. Seek Support: If you find it challenging to manage on your own, consider seeking support from a professional organizer or a therapist who specializes in hoarding behaviors. They can offer strategies to help you maintain control over your environment while still enjoying your collections.

Embrace Your Passion with Care

Your passion for collecting is part of what makes you unique, and it’s possible to continue enjoying it while also ensuring your home remains a safe and pleasant place to live. By reflecting on your habits and making small adjustments, you can find a balance that honors your love for thrift store treasures without compromising your well-being.

Remember, it’s okay to seek help and make changes if needed. Doing so doesn’t diminish the value of your collections or your passion; it simply helps you enjoy them in a more sustainable and healthy way.

Wishing you the best on your journey to finding balance.

Warm regards,

Sunny Sage