Ponderings
An accumulation of stuff
I don’t own all of these.
I have been itching to get rid of stuff I don’t need, because I’m sick of looking at the things I don’t use and thinking “Gee, I should really dust that.” I purged one of my shelves of a few books that are now stacked on the coffee table in the living room. Not the best place for them, but it’s not as though we use the coffee table on a daily basis. I’m not sure if I borrowed some of these books from people and never gave them back, but I’m pretty sure that I’ll never again read anything on that table. Time to get rid of them!
I had these fake Beanie Babies from 1997 on my shelves. I believe they were a gift from a long ago boyfriend. I finally dumped them in the donation bin, along with some other toys I took home last week when I finally cleaned by desk at the office. Bye-bye, gifts. (I didn’t, however, get rid of the FAO Schwarz bear he also gave me. That thing is cute!)
I come from a line of collectors. With Nanny, it was elephants. With Mom, it’s mice. It’s porcelain dolls. It’s gold Elvis records. With me, it’s teddy bears. C’mon, you’re not surprised. My nickname is Bear. It was a natural progression. Anyway, when I lived at home, I became victim to QVC (as much as Mom watched, it was inevitable), and I’d use money I’d slaved for at the Aim & Piss to buy Boyd’s Bears. They’re all cute, and I don’t want to get rid of them, but they just sit on my shelves, staring out into the abyss. I could’ve spent that money on cheese fries and carried them with me as a constant reminder… on my gut.
There is one more thing I am pretty sure I can get rid of - the newspapers and magazines from the fall of 2001. I have a shitload of yellowing issues about 9/11, as well as tribute editions for George Harrison when he died. At the time, I thought it would be a good idea to buy them. I had lived through history. But then, you’re also talking about a gal who bought the same items when JFK, Jr. died. Now I realize it was unnecessary. Do I throw them in the recycling bin? Yeah, probably. If I can get the packrat side of myself to stop it with the deathgrip.
Since I’ve clawed myself out of credit card debt, I realize that most of the stuff I own would’ve been better left on the shelves; the money put in a savings account toward an emergency fund. We live in a land of stuff, and at the end of the day, I think I’d be fine if I saved my laptop and my journals. The rest of it isn’t necessary.
For those that live with or hang out with me, please note that this post in no way means I am willing to pack up the CD’s or DVD’s in the living room. While true that much of them are a waste, I like knowing what I own and therefore, I must waste that space by laying it all out. You know, just in case you were wondering.
Discussion
9 comments for “An accumulation of stuff”
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I remember a few years ago I got rid of a ton of my…Nsync stuff. It was hard but I needed the space and in some cases the money!
This is my first task when I’m done with classes in June. We are moving in August and I WILL NOT move this crap with us! I am a packrat but Kris is the collector. I realize I don’t need all the stuff we have. To be honest, we don’t *need* most of the stuff we have. It’s just to fill our lives with empty things.
I do *need* my computer, how else would I communicate with my friends?
I am horrible when it comes to things like that. I was looking for my old microphone which I had bought for my old computer and while I didn’t manage to find it anywhere I know it’s still in the house. In the meantime I found a ton of things I didn’t even remember keeping. Then I realised why I have no more room in my house for more stuff. I looked under the bed which is where I put all my shoes and I saw that behind all the shoes were all the BOXES for the shoes. Why?! I don’t understand! However if I were to throw things away it would be really hard on me. I can’t bring myself to throw anything away.
@B - How much could I get for a photo with Joey Fatone? ;)
@Jennifer - The more stuff you have, the more empty your life. Or so someone once said. Moving’s a bitch. Purge as much as you can!
@Colin - I lost the battery holder for my pedometer. I only realized this after I bought new batteries. Maybe I should check under my bed. It’s hard to throw things away, but the less possessions you have, the easier it is to pack up and leave if necessary. (I have no idea what I’m talking about.)
Diz :: Meh, who knows what they’re talking about, anyway?
Diz, you have me revaluating a recent decision I made. Well, not too recent. It started when my son was born which was 2 1/2 years ago.
I had TONS of Star Wars toys as a kid. I was not a “take it outside and play with it” type of kid. I was more of a “build a shelf and display them” type. A bit like Andy in the 40 Year Old Virgin.
When leaving my home two weeks after my 18th birthday, I packed all my Star Wars toys in a huge box and put them in our storage shed. I knew they were safe because no one went in there… ever. Well, I never did really get along with my sister and to date we don’t talk. She took it upon herself to clean said shed and well, my box was probably the first to go.
Sorry for the long prelude but this leads to what I am doing now.
I have been buying (when funds allow) Star Wars action figures for my son. Some vintage and some not. I now have several boxes full sitting on a shelf in the closet.
After reading this, I thought of those boxes. Why perpetuate the accumulation of stuff is what I am now thinking. I may list everything on eBay now.
Great article Diz.
@Ben - I hope your son doesn’t regret it if you do sell them. Don’t tell him I caused you to consider it! ;)
OMG Ben! My husband collects Star Wars Toys. I told him his collection in worth more then our apartment! I’m NOT kidding! Don’t sell them. Keep them. You’ll regret it if you do.
Hey Diz,
I reckon he might regret it if he knew what was in those boxes and what they are worth now and could very well be worth in the future. Particularly since there is a new movie in the works.
The greatest treasure is an original, complete Jabba the Hut playset from the 70’s. Very cool.
After reading your article I thought about the money I spent and the current value on these toys.
I could buy a very nice lens for my camera or be wise and invest it some high yield something or another.
Don’t worry, I won’t tell him, it was your article that got me thinking about it. Smiles.
Hi Jennifer,
Your husband sounds like a cool guy. There is something about Star Wars action figures. They are beyond cool and the hard to find stuff quickly becomes an obsession of epic proportions.
One of the reasons I purchased the toys was because I considered them an investment.
I am sure he will love them so perhaps some more consideration is needed.
I love this topic and it has me really thinking about what is important truly important in life. It also has me thinking about the how’s and why’s of accumulation. Again, great article Diz.