The time has come, I need to come to grips: I am a “vintage hoarder.” No: Not an old woman who hoards everything, although that day may be looming. Yes: A collector who has an extremely difficult time walking away from intriguing vintage — often “useless” — items, of all sorts, that must be rescued. Remember the 39 Fuller Brush spatulas? A high — and low — of my collecting life. But alas, a huge corner of my basement… the storage alcove in my garage… the storage hatch above my garage… two closets… and a significant portion of my attic are already full of such treasures. Yes: I am a vintage hoarder, and I must come to grips. In this post, I talk about the “blessing” and the “curse” of being so gifted in the art of seeing beauty in so many places and things. Yes, the team that wrote the book says it’s a gift. Maybe you have it, too? Read on for my tale, of how this strength can become a weakness, and for some of my ideas of how to deal. Perhaps you have some tales, and ideas, to share, as well?
The Diagnosis
I am not going into great detail on the potential drivers of Vintage Hoarding Disorder (I made this up, VHD, or Vhoarding) — because Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee already have done so in their book, Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things (affliate link, but seriously, considering the subject of this story: Get it at the library!) Important note: This post is not about full-blown, clinical hoarding; that requires professional intervention; yes, read the book to start, but more importantly, consult with a professional.
To better understand my own “lite” version of the compulsion, I read this book over the summer, and it was fascinating. Randi and Gail are both university professors, Randy is at Smith and as I recall, Gail is at Brown. They have studied the issue of hoarding — serious hoarding, not my vintage hoarding lite — for more than 10 years, and I think they are the undisputed experts. Six months after reading the book, here is what has stuck with me from key points in the books that rang true when I consider my own “diagnosis”:
- Hoarders often are imbued with a very high level of visual and contextual intelligence. That is, they see meaning in objects… they give meaning to objects… much more intensely than others, who can let stuff go… discard it… with much greater ease. This book is amazingly empathetic regarding the issue; it was marvelous — not judgmental at all. Yes, this is it for me — and maybe you, too, I think: We have an incredible visual intelligence… and a huge heart, when it comes to things. I know for a fact, that I could NOT let those 39 Fuller Brush spatulas go to a dumpster! They were strange and wonderful relics of a time gone by. At another estate sale, the last day, I bought a dead woman’s entire life’s worth of personal photographs. I could NOT let those go to a dumpster. They were her life! This is typical reasoning of a hoarder. Just like the books’ title says, we have this incredible ability to give meaning to stuff. We are not really part of today’s “throwaway” society; trashing useful items or items that hold (or better said: which we ‘give’) sentimental meaning, pains us. However, when the hoarding starts to control us or to put crushing weight upon us — not so good.
- The other thing I remember from the book that rang true for me, is that the act of accumulation can be social. That is: We go shopping, or spend hours on ebay, instead of going out for drinks with friends, or whatever. I know, for example that I am fundamentally introverted. I regain energy from my “me” time. At the same time, I have a very active mind — and as described above — I’m super visual. So during my “me” time, I might go onto ebay or go to the Goodwill — and end up buying stuff.
When a Blessing becomes a Curse
- Analogy: If you are really detail-oriented in your research when you need to make a decision, the result is that you can make really good decisions. Flip side, though, is when you are so thorough you can’t make a decision at all — you are paralyzed. This is when a “strength” — thoroughness — becomes a “weakness” — indecision. The same principle goes for vintage hoarding. Today, my collections are not so bad that they have taken over my house — all the living and bedroom areas are clear. But, I know my passion has gone too far when … I can’t find what I am looking for… when I think about how, when I die, someone will have to clean all my stash out, and it will be an ordeal… and, when I feel “crushed” by the weight of those unattended piles, tucked away in their nooks though they may be. I know that to process my piles is going to take, like, a month. *Crushing weight of something big un-done = Stress.* Feng shui is all about creating spaces where positive energies can flow and flourish; any clutter and any piles above or below are impeding that energy.
The Cure
I have been *thinking* about strategies more than applying them, yet, alas. But here are some thoughts:
- I read the book, which gave me compassionate insight into my dilemma. It gave me facts to help understand why I have this problem. But not in a harsh, self-judging way. Au contraire, it made me feel good about this strength of mine. I am always more motivated by the positive than by the negative. Now, I am kind of super-proud of my book-recognized visual intelligence. Now, my challenge — a positive one — is how to channel that intelligence in a positive way.
- When I go to estate sales, I am only going to try to buy stuff that I can turn into art. Visual intelligence = artist. Yes! For example, I have this idea. I love these time capsule estate sale houses — for the stuff, but also for the lives lived there, that I can see through the stuff. Here’s how I will make art out of each estate sale: I will take a big plastic container box with me to each sale. I will look for a substrate (an old not-valuable painting or framed something… something hangable) and then, I will look for little its and bits and pieces from this house and the family who lived there. I will take a photo of the house. And I will keep a copy of the estate sale listing. Then I will collage all the best pieces to create a hangable vintage collage. Only stuff from that house, plus the listing ad and a small photo of the house, gets on the collage. After I have like 20 houses, I will see if I can get my artwork into an exhibition, even if it’s at a local coffee shop. Maybe I will sell them, maybe I won’t. But I think this artistic application combining all the reasons I vintage-hoard will be very gratifying. Please, steal this idea if you like it. Send me pics of your creations. P.S. I will try really really hard not to buy anything else at the estate sale, unless I really really need it, and I tell you, I need nothing. Some other ideas to shop-vintage-to-make-art: Only look for vintage ornaments and learn how to make vintage ornament wreaths like Suzy. Take them to craft fairs at Christmas time. Her wreaths — very well made ones — are selling for $100.
- Another strategy for estate sales and shops: Get a nice camera and learn how to use it, start a blog, and take photos instead. (Be sure to get appropriate permissions before taking photos in private spaces and posting photos to the web.)
- Get your visual fix by going to museum exhibits. Go on all the tours and to all the lectures — get smart. I once met a longtime boyfriend at a museum. Just sayin’.
- Be a decorating maximalist. Pull all your fabulous stuff out of all those piles and put all your favorite items onto your walls. As much as you possibly can. Holes everywhere. Fill every space. I recently began doing this in my office, and a friend who saw it commented, “Gosh, now the room really looks like you.” Well, yes, it does. What took me so long? 🙂 Choose a great paint color then make your walls a collage… a glorious mosaic… of all the vintage lovelies that you have collected. Do this in every darn room, if that’s what you want. Your friends already know you have this thing about vintage. Who are you fooling. Get it all out there, let your freak flag fly. P.S. When you die and they have the estate sale, it will be a lot easier for them to sell it right off the wall than out of boxes. Not to be morbid, but.
- Sell stuff on ebay. But you really have to do it. Really really. If you decide this is a strategy for you, I hereforeto order you: No buying anything else, until you sell 10 items on ebay. Once you sell 10 items, you can buy 5 more. But until you whittle the piles down, no loading them up further. Also, you can think of it this way: If you spend three hours accumulating, plan for 15 hours moving the stuff out via ebay. Now, doesn’t that slow you down? Put a starting price of what you paid for an item — and just let it go, let it flow, out into the retro universe.
- Open a booth in an antique mall or become a picker for a dealer. See #3, though. You really really have to do it. No making piles.
- If you’re gonna be deep into vintage, buy ONLY vintage. Don’t buy new stuff, too. That way, it can still be about the hunt, and you will save money (only if you really buy what you really need) and save stuff from going to landfills. Anytime you can narrow your collecting focus, you make the hunt more difficult, which means you will acquire less. Theoretically.
- No “buying stuff to hold your stuff.” This is only enabling. I have cartop carrier, that we never use; it’s in the shed; I have stuff to hold my stuff to hold my stuff. Shoot me.
- But, do organize your stuff so that you can get at it for your art projects. Make yourself a beautiful craft space. This kind of organization has a goal: To make space to use the stuff to make art. You will spend more time making art with what you already have, than accumulating more stuff. Theoretically.
- Take your clean-up and organization projects slow or you will get overwhelmed. How about 1/2 hour a day.
- Become more social: Collect more friends. Call a friend for lunch or a drink after work or a cup of coffee and homemade muffins — even if it’s just once a week or one more time each week. I’m always reading that what makes us most happy — even we introverts — is people. That said, I still know I my “visual intelligence” demands I spend a lot of time searching out visual beauty. Surely, it’s all about maintaining a healthy balance.
So what do you think, dear readers?
Do you have a strong impulse, like me, to vintage-hoard?
What steps do you recommend to keep it under control?
Lynn-O-Matic says
My family accuses me all the time of being a hoarder. “I’m not a hoarder, I’m a collector,” I say. It’s a fine line. They do have a point. It does look like hoarding, so maybe it’s the same thing? Although I’m messy and disorganized a lot of the time, I can and do have vintage yard sales with friends and have done a booth at a flea market, so I know I can let go. I plan to do a booth at an antique mall eventually. But I really, really need to work on the organization part, a lot.
Pam, you say don’t buy stuff to hold stuff, and I completely agree when it comes to plastic totes, etc. But lately when I shop I look for what I call infrastructure–truly awesome vintage shelves, cabinets, etc., to organize and display my stuff. I want it out where I can see it and live with it. If it’s squirreled away in the basement or a closet it’s doing nobody any good, and then it’s harder to tell my family (and myself?) I’m not hoarding! 😉
pam kueber says
Okay, but you gotta put the shelves up. You can’t put them in a pile.
Lynn-O-Matic says
Yes, Pam, this is key! I’m trying to get handier so I can do stuff like hang shelves myself instead of waiting for a man to do it. (My hubby’s not handy, so somebody’s gotta step up!)
Lynn-O-Matic says
Exceptional visual intelligence. Aha! I used to ponder whether I’d rather go blind and still have music and books, or go deaf and still have art and antiques. Duuhh! I’ll keep the eyesight, thanks.
I have one word for all the vintage junkies out there: PINTEREST. I do most of my collecting on Pinterest these days. I scarcely ever go on eBay or Etsy anymore, and when I do, I almost never buy anything. Even when I go to thrift shops, I fell less compelled to buy a lot. Curating my collections on Pinterest is remarkably satisfying. It’s also (somewhat) social, because after a while you develop a group of BFFs and you repin each other’s stuff and comment back and forth.
It has also inspired me to actually DO more creative stuff and do some projects with the kids (of course one of those involved accumulating a bunch of fabric and felt and bric-a-brac to sew Christmas ornaments with my daughter’s class, so beware what kind of project it is!).
KarenQuilt says
Fabulous idea!
Retrosandie says
I am a vintage hoarder. There. I’ve said it. And I always have been. I think it’s in the genes as my mum loved her stuff, too, and she always wanted (and got!) more! It’s a bit harder for me now, though, because I am in a small retirement apartment. And since I moved in last May, I’ve done quite a job of bringing in wonderful finds from “my” era. Being a baby boomer, I love stuff from the time I grew up in! I feel better knowing that it’s a ‘visual’ thing, because I DO love seeing all of my fabulous stuff: from pink pop beads draped on the mirror of my ’60’s blond bureau mirror, my vintage shadow boxes with all of the cool vintage things I put on them, glassware (Georges Briard, Blenko, crackle jugs/vases, lady head vases,+) glasses/some dishes, Owls for the kitchen, the giant Sexton spoon & fork, collecting lots of pink items for each room (as it’s my apartment and I want pink!!! LOL) to my cute Edna Collins box bags and Vera scarves. My problem is that not only do I want to continue the hunt/find of vintage items, but CRAFT STUFF and CRAFT BOOKS!!! I’ve just admitted to myself that I’m a craft/craft book hoarder. (Yes, it includes vintage kits!!) And did I mention that I have things from my mom that I love and must keep? I only wish I could collect furniture, as I always seem to see great buys on good stuff, but no place to put it all here!!! I guess I ‘appreciate’ everything!! Are there any other readers out there, who don’t have adorable MCM houses to decorate, but apartments with limitations???? Any way, I’ve noticed that some of my tastes (collected items) have changed over the years, especially since I found your blog, Pam. With the information I’ve gleaned from your knowledge and the good ‘ol internet, I think I’m more informed when I buy things!! I intend to read that book, too! And I’m all for art projects!! Thanks for giving poor ‘afflicted’ folks like us a voice! 🙂
Wendy says
Thank you for putting a name to my problem! It started when my husband and I bought our 1958 ranch and inherited my Grandparents Heywood-Wakefield furniture. We haven’t looked back and have the stuffed closets to prove it!
pam kueber says
Going through some old emails just now, I coincidentally (but it’s never a coincidence is it?) found this intriguing story: “Downsizing Boomers Looking to Sell Their Stuff”. A snapshot:
“Call it the great American sell-off. For years now Americans have been gathering and collecting at an amazing pace, filling homes that over the past half-century have more than doubled in size, to an average of nearly 2,500 square feet. And even that hasn’t been enough to contain our nation’s overflow of stuff. These days nearly one in 10 U.S. households maintains at least one self-storage unit, 65 percent more than did so in 1995….”
and ….”As David Ekerdt, director of the Gerontology Center of the University of Kansas, puts it, “They’re not just things. They’re you.” But the disconnect between perceived value and actual value when the kids don’t want their parents’ stuff and the market is overrun can be a cold splash of reality. “What are people going to do?” asks Jane C.H. Jacob, a Chicago-based appraiser and trustee of the nonprofit Appraisal Foundation. “Dig a ditch and put it in a landfill?”
Yikes!
http://www.smartmoney.com/retirement/planning/downsizing-boomers-looking-to-sell-their-stuff-1301517395843/
lynda says
Such a great article and a wake up call!
AmyEbbertHill says
I just finished reading this article, thank you for sharing it! I downsized after divorce in 2007, moving from a 3200 sq ft to my present 972 sq ft mid century modest home. It was a lot of work to get rid of all the antiques I had accumulated over the years. I cherry picked what I wanted to keep, with one main rule…I had to be able to lift it & move it myself, or at least be able to help carry the item. I did not keep any piece of furniture that would require three strong men to move. I am no longer a spring chicken. I used the services of a local auction house. They were wonderful. They came out & loaded 85% of my posessions and advertised & got me good prices. The money came in handy when I started fixing up this place. I was very fortunate to have everything turn out so well.
Sharon says
So much thought provoking commentary here. So glad I read the original post. It really does help to know that you aren’t alone and not really that crazy!
pam kueber says
No, we are ‘not really that crazy’ — we have ‘exceptional visual intelligence’!
JKaye says
Great topic. I, too, am artistic and introverted, and probably have a personality type to become a vintage hoarder. But, I have had some experiences that have kept me from going overboard: went through a divorce and became a single parent strapped for cash; moved a few times and got tired of lugging so much stuff around; met and married an artistic, introverted man with his own bunch of stuff; went through the experience of helping his elderly mother downsize from a big house of stuff to a small assisted living apartment, and then after her death had to dispense with all she had managed to accumulate in the small assisted living space. Such experiences make you think a lot about why you have certain items, and decide whether it is worth it financially and emotionally to have so much stuff.
We do have a lot of stuff. But, we are trying to just have things we really enjoy using, and we try not to have so much of it that it is a burden. When I read Patty’s comment that something isn’t such a deal if you store it away for years, I realized that is the point I have reached regarding some things I have collected. For instance, last week I discovered that I have accumulated about 12 pie plates. I realized that I only use the three pie plates that have little handles on them which make them easier to get in and out of the oven. The others just take up space stored in a cabinet, and I get aggravated whenever I have to move them around in search of something else. The decision to get rid of them seemed like such a daring move, since they are all on the vintage side. Yet I know I could replace them easily and fairly inexpensively if I really needed to do so. So I’m trying to look at things and decide, do we use this a lot? Do we enjoy using it, or is it really rather aggravating to have around? If we get rid of it, will it be really hard or expensive to replace? Those questions are helping us a lot.
pam kueber says
Always having to “Move stuff to get at other stuff” is one of my husband’s key points of aggravation. And no question, it is a time-suck. Whether one has to do this a lot is likely another good barometer of Exceptional Visual Intelligence Gone Too Far. Luv, always, JKaye!
Annie B. says
V-hoarding, for me, began with the classic symptoms: I bought everything MCM vintage I could find and squeeze within my paltry budget, the paltry budget being my main salvation. The joy I experienced at discovering a “trophy” really kicked my hunter-gatherer instinct into overdrive.
I found myself buying the same vintage articles over and over again: Mirro cookie presses, coffee carafes, vintage afghans, copies of BH&G “Salads” cookbook. Not sure what that meant; probably heading into real trouble at that stage. At least, I’ve had some quality items from which to cull.
Now, my acid test for any acquistion is authenticity, quality, price, and true usefulness. Selectivity has become my new best friend. I’ve learned to “trade up”, and to gift others who also love vintage with items I’ve rotated out.
However, there are boxes of collage-making ephemera stuffed under the beds with which I shall not part. It’s like Christmas morning when I drag them out, play with the toys inside, and dream of having time to attempt vintage collage again.
char says
I just moved into a clean, empty new/old house. So whatever I’ve placed in it so far pops out visually- I sold and gave away alot of my collection – not easy but now I can start over! I am enjoying the minimalist and controlled aspect of it all very much, although there are way too many fabulous thrift and vintage stores around here – it isn’t quite working to just “browse” and not buy… I have already given away some old chairs that looked cool in the store and terrible in the house. So, when I finish getting what I need (a coke bottle shaped thermometer for the porch, turquoise/green decals matching repro vintage floral grommet panels that match in every room)….what is functional (does the metal fished-shaped jello mold count?…but the Corningware sure does), I will zero in and only get things I can easily paint or recover so it will all flow visually. A couple of colorful Fiesta pieces sitting on the microwave, not he whole set – one glass block vase – not the whole wall – maybe one patterned concrete block – kind of an homage to what I love. And I LOVE mixing the very new with the very old, a great record player cabinet holds the cable and modem box & wires, the flatscreen is on the repainted turquoise iron bistro table. I am typing this on the white laminate rolling tv cart, perfectly holds the flat screen monitor. I will have to just take pix instead in the stores when I reach the point where my clean and perfectly thought out look starts to become CLUTTER. I guess I didn’t need the giant neon letters I put in the garden to spell my name, but they are way cool and that’s all the decoration I need out there, and maybe just one enormously giant retouched (by me) vintage print mural, matching colors of course.
Michael says
Very interesting story, Pam. My partner often accuses me of being a member of this club, although I think our home is much less cluttered than those of most of our friends and family, so I’m not really worried.
I too tend to read meaning and back stories into almost everything I’m attracted to and/or purchase. My weaknesses are anything from an estate sale, but especially vintage Christmas decor and vintage upholstered pieces (sofas and chairs) for some reason.
A perfect winter Saturday night for me is a glass of wine, a roaring fire and the laptop- seeing what’s newly listed on eBay, Etsy and Kijiji. Luckily our house is large enough with tons of storage to so far accommodate my finds very easily, but right now I have more Edna Looney Christmas craft kits than I can possibly assemble, and we do have more Christmas decorations than everyone else we know… combined! So I see a potential problem on the horizon… lol
And I love your idea for the art project– I’d be first in line to check out that exhibition!