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?
Scrollwork: Quirkyisms from a Tropical Transplant says
We are visually intelligent! Yes! I’m gonna make my husband read that book. My gateway drug was frothy vintage lingerie, then doilies and embroidered table linens, and now it’s bottlecaps and stiff plastic packaging. My etsy shop is my justification. If i can create two intricately handstitched dresses a month I won’t self-flagellate.
“I have found my great love of acquisition for its own sake replaced by a more consuming passion: upcycling.” — from my post, How to Stop Hoarding and Start ‘Green Stockpiling’ at http://scrollwork.blogspot.com/2010/09/wave.html
pam kueber says
Let me guess: The “frothy vintage lingerie” was when you were single. The “bottlecaps and stiff plastic packaging”, soon… too soon… after marriage. 😉
Ima Pam says
What an appropriate post to sit down to as I take a break from boxing sets of winter dishes and unboxing sets with mod roses for February! That’s how I enjoy having more vintage dishes than anyone actually needs…rotate patterns with seasons, or on a whim. If I get too busy or don’t feel like it…they are still there, neatly packed, until I’m ready.
So many insights and helpful tips in this post and comments. Good to see I’m in great company! In particular, I try to put things that fit a theme and look good together out where I can see and appreciate, packing other treasures that go together until I’m ready for change. As I pack, unpack, organize and reorganize, I try to pass things on that aren’t as appealing anymore… maybe I’ve found better, narrowed my focus, or have moved on to another collecting interest (obsession). As others have noted, taking pictures is a great way to acknowledge vintage wonderfulness without actually taking everything home. Haha, catch and release vintage hunting! Even so, like probably all of us, my treasure hunts do result in acquiring more than I need or even want…it really is about finding that balance….and being able to let go…
pam kueber says
I love that: “Catch and Release Vintage Hunting”! I am going to spread that around! Thank you!
Ann-Marie Meyers says
It is a good thing I don’t have unlimited wealth. I would start hoarding vintage houses to save them from the invasion of the greige monsters.
CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP
Leaving stainless steel and granite in its wake, who can stop this horrible freakish beast?
SusieQ says
I’m so over whelmed reading everyones comments and it’s so true for me also.I’m visual and an introvert and my mind is just always designing something.So far I’ve been OK because I renovate houses for a living but my own stash has been growing since my mom passed away 5 years ago.All of a sudden I ‘m obsessed by the 50’s and 60’s and the way things were.So glad there are so many others out there with the same thoughts and feelings.
Eartha Kitsch says
I have so many thoughts after reading this that I can’t even put them together. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent the past SEVEN hours shuffling things from one closet to the other. Some times you can literally feel like you’re drowning in stuff. Even if it’s great stuff.
And how many black vintage purses does one person NEED? Sometimes, it just has to be about need, I’ve decided. And if we don’t buy that great vintage find, chances are someone else will and they’ll be so excited to have it. Maybe it’s like paying it forward – just admire it and let the next person have the score of the day. Well, unless it’s worth a lot more than it’s selling for and you can make a mint! : )
My only other exception is if it’s something sentimental like journals, photos, slides, films, etc… that are going to be destroyed. There is too much sentimentality in me to let those memories go. Even if they are a complete stranger’s memories. Or maybe I’m just an addict making excuses. : )
Ally Cat says
I have been a lifelong thrifter, hunter-gatherer, and at this point, unless it is just amazing-amazing, I can now leave it for the next person that will find it. And when I give to Goodwill and Salvation Army. I know that what goes around comes around, and what’s languishing in our attics could be having a useful life with someone else. And now-a-days thrift stores are so picked over that they need people to give good things, not just the new/old crap. Really moving has kept me in check because in times of stress, I can let go of good stuff—quick—and usually to friends. Goodwill gets what I can’t find homes for.
“All dressed up and nowhere to go” has been a trait in my family. We have fantastic vintage party dresses, but no good jeans. Some of the lamps I own have cords so old it’s scary. So my criteria for purchase has gotten stricter: nothing so damaged that it becomes a “project” that I’ll put off, or a repeat of something I already have, or something that isn’t ready to be used. I broke this rule in the last year with a floor-model stereo that needs new tubes, and since it acts as my dining room sideboard, I figure that’s OK. It’s humming speakers don’t cause too much guilt, because I’ve given it a purpose that works for me.
I still feel a protective and territorial pang when I think of all the good stuff that has come and gone in my collection, and some regret, but I have to put that ego in it’s place. Objects have a right to be used, and be useful, and who am I to say that someone else won’t love it and be good to it? I sometimes have to let the cool thing go and live it’s own life, rather than just languish away in my care. And regret is more romantic than the binge-purge panic of my firesale moments…the stress isn’t good for my heart. But misty-eyed regret? Nothing a bottle of wine and listening to the Cure can’t fix. Sigh.
If I were more of a photographer, I’d take portrait pictures of these items, but since I’m a painter, I’m considering painting portraits of things I think are beautiful, and then if I don’t need them–get rid of them (I’ve an ochre pair of 1950’s heels that will be my 1st subject, they don’t even fit me!) Then I’ll just have to deal with all of my strange “things” paintings. But I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it 🙂
JKaye says
Had to laugh at your comment regarding the floor model stereo that doesn’t work. My parents got such a stereo, with a colonial-style maple cabinet, in the early 60s. We used it a lot, and by the mid-70s it was no longer working. They decided to keep it around and turn it into something, such as a liquor cabinet. That never happened, but my mom still has it and it has been used as a sideboard for decades. It’s where the nativity scene goes at Christmastime, and throughout the rest of the year different decorations go on it. I’m sure there are younger members of the family who have no idea there is a broken turntable inside. They just think it’s the place to look for the bowl of jelly beans at Easter.
KarenQuilt says
Digital photography! Great idea! It is a great way to house the things we would love to own but know it would be best not to drag “one more item” into the house because it would just go into storage. We could even start blogs and share all our digital “finds” in our blogs! Then we can go look at them any time we want or share them with whoever we want — and we can add stories, if we are so inclined. And none of this would take up space. We could actually do this with everything we have hoarded too…..if we can stop long enough to unpack and photograph them.
Ann-Marie Meyers says
Yes, I am an artistic vintage hoarder, but part of my reason is I hate to see a whole era in our history just go to waste. There is so little appreciation for the things of the recent past. We are curators, in a way, of tiny museums.
It started for me when I was a little girl. There was a woman who had a junk shop in our town, some antiques, some just interesting things. The other antique dealers hated her, because she sold things so cheaply, and would sell to anyone at all, including a 10 year old girl.
I still have many of the things I bought from her. My favorite is an old sewing rocker. I use it as my spinning chair.
In my case, I am the daughter of a woman who gets rid of things on a regular basis, and never bothers to ask me if I want them. I will visit, and notice a bare spot on a shelf.
“Mom, what happened to that glass swan flower vase Grandma gave you when I was a little girl?”
“Oh, that ugly old thing? I always hated it. Nobody wanted that. I threw it out.”
No, of course she never asked me. I am NOT nobody.
I collect a lot of things that remind me of my lost childhood, I think. Replacements for things Mom got rid of, or that broke years ago.
Or things that evoke certain feelings when I see them or hold them.
And, then there is the auction Spidey Sense, when an object I kinda like, but am not bidding on is going for a low bid, I will sometimes get a feeling telling me to bid on it. Don’t let it go for such a low price.
I have had people at the auction house come up afterwords and tell me what a deal I got. I have a Villeroy and Boch set of spice jars that the company wants pictures of, because they do not have anything like them in their museum, although the backstamp appears to be authentic.
I think I like Pam’s idea. Our local library has cases for people to display collections and items of interest. I have had collections of ceramic and pottery pieces in several times. I might see how I do with the little vintage moments.
Jay says
Dang! missed out on one of those spatulas. What else would you do with them besides mixing cakes. But seriously, are they still usable? Time has a way of catching up with old rubber and plastic items. I wish I had more display space as I have a lot of my stuff in the attic. Vintage kitchen stuff – no way to show it off. I try to use the pyrex and I am always looking for more. Why??? I have to check this book out at the library.
Rosemary says
For awhile, my husband and I said we collected collections. Vintage Fiesta, check, Manhattan glass, check, bakelite kitchen and bar utensils, check, vintage games, check, and so it goes.
Then this summer, I was thinking of applying for a job in a state far away and pondered what we would actually pack and bring. That train of thought allowed me to realise I no longer need dozens of crystal necklaces since my 12 year old son is not interested. Nor the two dozen reversible purses or the 50’s fiestaware when I really just like the stuff from the 30’s. So I put items in my mother in law’s collectible booth. Lotsa items. And really even to my trained eye, there is still plenty of stuff still in our house and we could still have a cocktail party for 50.
So for anyone else for whom space or mental health or money is an issue just envision a move and ask the hard question about what you would want to bring with you.
Susan K says
I have woven in this topic to many of my posts. I think it comes with the territory, and every joy about a new find should be tempered with the realization that the item’s luster may be overshadowed when it’s jammed into a cacophony of stuff! (Did read this book recently–so in tune with the retro-reno crowd!)
I like the “if I had to move” litmus test. I waver between being a Zen minimalist (no visual evidence of this in my house, but in my heart of hearts!) and a total vintage hoarder. I also have a tough time deciding how to donate–worrying that things will get broken or not appreciated or not identified as having lead or radiation in them. Obviously the hoarder side!
But I take baby steps! I even sent a big chunk of my vintage aprons and tablecloths to an Etsy seller in exchange for store credit to cover the shipping.
Two other great hints: (1) When I redid my kitchen, one of the best side effects of the long wait was having time to think and rethink how the dishes, etc. would be organized in the cabinets. I kept paring and paring down to what I really used. I think the hoarding gene also comes with the tantrum-throwing gene that is triggered by not being able to locate something in a closet or drawer without having to pull everything else out! Now, I have a great sense of satisfaction of enjoying my much-more-usable cabinets and things within them!
(2) Visit THIS BLOG. Often! Seeing all the beautiful things, especially as they are used in someone’s real living space, can satisfy many a thrift-store urge! Also, when people post their finds on a Friday thrift-store day, it helps me re-see the many finds I’ve collected over the years that sometimes seem to fade into the background. HEY PAM–maybe that would be a good idea for a post: download a rediscovered treasure rather than a newly acquired one!
Anyways, seeing this post makes me rethink my Franciscan jam & jelly jars…Should I keep or donate or….?
TroySF says
Hallelujah! Great ideas Pam! I especially like ***9. No “buying stuff to hold your stuff.”*** I also agree you should find creative ways to display the collections that inspire you, rather than hoard them away in boxes in your garage. I just put some shelves back up in my living room which I’ve begun filling with a bunch of stuff I’ve collected throughout my world travels (like a set of earth tone plastic toothbrushes I bought in Prague in 1990) – it’s bringing back a lot of great memories and jump-starting my wanderlust again. And limiting the “stuff” to just those shelves is a great way to balance my chaos/control urges.
Dulcie says
Hoarding fascinates me, I read that same book this summer. My fascination stems from the fact that it’s the exact opposite of my personality, I attach no value to ‘stuff’, my kids call me a cyborg. I find it interesting to look into the minds of those who DO love stuff. The only vintage I’ll buy is stuff that I have a use for and everything else is fun to look at, but I won’t take it home with me.
Annie B. says
I hate to admit this, but I’ve taken vintage items to our local consignment store, had second thoughts about selling a certain piece, then retrieved it.
While reading all these posts, it’s occurred to me that, in the grand scheme of things, how lucky we are just to be able to “hoard”. I’m thankful that I can.
Lynn-O-Matic says
That’s such a great point, Annie! I’m sure I’m not the only one who started out thrifting and yard saling partly because it’s the ethical way to recycle and not overconsume. But somewhere along the way it became about all the amazing stuff instead of just what I truly need.
Annie B. says
Thank you, Lynn-O-Matic. I’ve always seen thrifting, etc, as a win-win proposition; i.e., the buyer gets something great at a terrific price and the seller, which is usually a charity, etc., gets a donation.
I, too, have let the whole concept get a little out of hand, with wants far surpassing needs. Oh, but what fun it’s been.