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?
Gloria Hanrahan says
I have always find it interesting that people attach stories to items or photos–not knowing the real people behind them. When my brother and I had to clean out my mom’s photos, we were gleeful to get rid of the numerous duplicates of the old aunts. The were mean, hateful, nasty people in life and there is no way I wanted anything representing them in my home. They had no children, so a couple of photos for the family tree and out they went. I thought giving them to a thrift store so people could use them for crafts was a good idea. I realize now that their energy is floating around again and people probably think we were awful for getting rid of the photos. I hope their true nasty spirits did not go out in the world with those items. The stories people put on photos and items can really be far from the truth.
Jane Mackintosh says
A truthful person on the Internet — how wonderful! I love your thinking: not all relatives and ancestors were good. And yes, beware of putting their bad energy in the hands of strangers. There are lessons here: be nice to your relatives, and throw out stuff that has cranky and crabby cooties.
WK says
. Thank you Pam for your response . Sometimes when I cannot find an item on EB I do find it on Etsy but your experience is far greater than mine
Pam Kueber says
Ack no, I have no real experience as a seller. Only as a buyer LOL
When I really really want something, I look both places!
Linda says
Terrific article! The book sounds like a good read. I’ve read similar. Love your term “Vhoarding”.
Some thoughts…
Over the years, I’ve found it very helpful to really limit both the quantity and type of creative projects that I do. I regularly review what I do spend my time on, culling both categories and supplies related to projects that don’t sustain my attention. I try to be ruthless about this.
In regards to selling, I can tell you that, as a 20 year vintage seller on eBay, I was WAY more successful in the earlier years than in recent. I could list fast enough and had a great sell through rate! This year, I decided to quit this platform when my selling strategy became a regular practice of repeatedly lowering prices on already low priced items. I had begun routinely donating unsold items that I had spent hours listing. The older I get, the less time I have for time sucking activities that don’t pay off for me.
It is suspected that eBay gives higher visibility to new sellers so you will, hopefully, sell well at least initially. If you come to find that it’s not worth your time, do reconsider.
On the other hand, I’ve done very well selling on Craigslist. I do take reasonable precautions and have had great results in three different states over the last seven years or so. I do realize this platform is not for everyone.
Selling vintage at bigger flea markets in larger cities was the quickest and most profitable way to sell off my past inventory. It was a lot of work, but I am more than willing to do work that pays off! I found that a flea market was best done with a good friend and a good picnic lunch. Talk about a great social opportunity as well!
I wish you all the best in your efforts!
WK says
Has anyone had success selling Vintage items on Etsy?
Or donating to a museum for the tax write off ? Part of my Collecting was driven by looking for the changes in Kitchenware design from decade to decade For example my Burrite canister collection shows different handles and lettering as styles changed . There is a silent Butler pan with Saturn and stars engraved on the top from the Space Race . I have a collection of electric popcorn poppers that date back to the Art Deco era . When I offered to donate my collection to a local School of Design they responded that they would first need it photographed and essentially curated . WE know that a museum exhibit of Vintage Kitchenware would draw crowds — look at all the Vintage magazines now ! But they don’t . Oh well !
Pam Kueber says
Museums must be very deliberate about their collecting. They only have so much storage space. So: I understand their having to have a process.
So. Much. Stuff.
I don’t do etsy. To me, they seem to have transformed into a crafter’s marketplace. They are also good for vintage clothes…
LuAnn Lamers-LaBate says
OMG Pam – you & I are kindred spirits! I have been a collector forever & an ebayer for 20 years. Started out as a buyer but recently had to become a seller to thin out my “stuff”. We used to have a 2100 sq ft home with 3 outbuildings but 2 years ago we followed our dream & purchased a mid 1950s ranch home. FINALLY we had a place for our midcentury collections. Problem is that the current home is 1500 sq ft and only a crawlspace!!! I am a vintage hoarder just like you & very sentimental! I tend to rescue items from estate sales & I want to see my things go to someone who will appreciate them like me! Ebay is time consuming but overall the experience has been a good one. My problem is that in researching things that I want to sell, I usually find something else that I want! General rule is that if something comes home, something else has to leave!
WK says
Dear Brad ,
Thank you for posting .Besides a house that will never be built with my vintage treasures I have dealt with a severe illness for the past 18 years by shopping on my good days . Finding a valuable treasure for ” pennies” was an accomplishment and helped my stress . I read recently that we need to be willing to sell our excess for what we paid if the amount of items is starting to be overwhelming . That has taken the pressure off me to feel like I must make a profit
WK
Brad says
WK best wishes to you. I wish you well!
I’m glad someone else here could relate to my different take. It is meant to offer encouragement & for others to realize that a sometime “problem” can actually be a temporary “solution”.
I’ve bumped up the effort selling lately & it is starting to help financially. I’ve had luck being able to sell for more than I paid. But I list on the high end, lower price after awhile and/or take best offers. Let it go to go.
Pam Kueber says
This is what I am doing, essentially, I think: I list on the high end, lower price after awhile and/or take best offers. Let it go to go.
Brad says
This articled at times has described me to a T!!!
I see so much potential in found objects other than their intended uses. I have “saved” them as such with good intentions & yet it had gotten out of control which I’ve recently been addressing.
Yet I have, I think, a unique take on the “problem”.
Having faced what used to be a terminal disease for over 30 years, “hoarding” was therapy for such. Depression, anxiety & many unfortunate setbacks from such in life as well took their toll. Thrift store shopping was my savior. I called it “junking” & I had my weekly “loops”. In the past, I had the outlet of a booth in an antique mall as well
These excursions provided me with entertainment, distraction, a sense of purpose & some extra income in selling items as well. At times, it kept my crippling depression, anxiety & feelings of being left behind in check. Therapy helped too. It was healthier than drinking, drugging or giving up hope & perhaps going to a space to just end it all. I was aware at those times of my potential for hoarding & yet it served a constructive purpose.
Thankfully, for some time, I’ve been much better now. Medication keeps the medical condition manageable & it is no longer a life threatening situation. The struggles with depression & anxiety are much less. Despite the piles of “stuff” I now have to deal with, I have an alternative to be selling online. Generating extra modest income from such & not have to go to work for minimum wage somewhere due to my big gaps in past employment.
As with all in life, either the glass is half empty or half full.
So it goes with vintage hoarding as well.
It has been a Godsend & a curse as well. The key is acknowledging the issues, taking constructive action & NOT beating oneself up.
I enjoy the site Pam & hope my unique perspective can offer some comfort & meaning to others. May everyone realize the treasure collecting starts with treasuring oneself first!!!
WK says
I am also dealing with huge amounts of collections . My husband promised to build us a house when we first married —only later did I realize he is dreamer not a do-ER . So we have three storage units full of vintage building materials .I looked into an estate sale and they require that you have a house they can come into to hold the sale . My area has made the Best Place to Live list three times recently so the thrift stores are full of aging parents vintage cast offs and the auctions are loaded with ” smalls”
I want to sell on EBay but have heard horror stories about eBay being pro-buyer and not helpful for scams directed against dealers . Please tell us many details about your eBay experience . Are you looking at Etsy, 1st Dibs or any other places?
WK
Jackie says
You can use some of the things as promotional giveaways on social media. Contests and giveaways are a great way to increase engagement and your items will go to a good home.
Angela says
My strategy is to get rid of 5 things a week. We started a free table at work- unfortunately that sometimes means there’s nice stuff to take. Don’t rely on EBay.
Pam Kueber says
Ooooh — a free table at work — what a great idea. Alas, I work from home LOL.
I also like the 5 per week idea (net of what comes in too! — I bought 4 pieces of Oceanic art at an estate sale yesterday — oops!) I think I’ll adopt your idea — 5, net, no matter what: Sold, given away — or tossed! Thank you!
Amber Martinez says
What is the best way to find your stuff on ebay?
Pam Kueber says
I don’t like to promote my sales here on the blog — just search ebay for what you are looking for and maybe I’ll come up!
Laura Richardson says
Oh come on, Pam – set that stuff free!! Give us your eBay store name, please?? 🙂
Jacqueline Boling says
Pretty please!