Collecting Problem

<p>I, like many on this site, have a collecting problem. I collect old cameras, old archery equip., old bicycles, and books that relate to these "hobbies". Is there something wrong with me? I'm running out of space.</p>

<p>In the 1960s there was a guy around the US Canada border who used to collect old automobile tires in his empty acres. He had piles and piles of them. People thought he was crazy. Come 1969-73 and gas crunch, companies discovered that old tires had a lot petroleum products in them and could produce energy. So overnight he became a millionaire. In those days it was a lot of money. One never knows what is in store. Anyway, if these items interest us collecting and caring for them will keep us young and give us a fresh outlook. That is what hobbies are for. That is what even education is for. Only lately the idea has become twisted that we seem to be doing everything for a living or for a monetary profit. Perhaps, we need to recall Mr Thoreau of Walden Pond. Regards, sp</p>

<p>Yes there is something wrong with you, but why worry about it? Set a goal to get larger space so you have room to collect more :-)</p>

<p>"Surrender to the Force you must!"</p>

There's only something wrong with you if you're spending more than you can afford, to feed your hobbies.

Otherwise you're just keeping your inner child healthy.

<p>Oh, and do NOT watch any TV shows with "Hoarder" in the title. It will only make you feel bad.</p>

<p>@ Les- watch out for a fortune cookie that says "That wasn't chicken!"<br />Keep collecting. Praise what you have, post photos, we will do the same. This may make the value go up so even if you don't sell, it might make you feel better about the collection. Works for me, anyway.<br>

For those of you whose spouses cast a critical eye on your collection: what the wife can't find doesn't count as part of your collection. ;-)</p>

<p>I personally don't like the fortune cookies that are printed with "There is a sniper rifle trained at your heart. Remove your wallet, leave it on the table and walk slowly to the men's room without looking back."<br>

It took me years to get control of my collecting, I did it by becoming a specialist. A friend of mine at one time had so many guitars, he had no place to play them.</p>

<p>I have been trying this mantra: buy less, use more; buy less, use more. But it hasn't been 100% successful.</p>

<p>"Resistance is futile"</p>

<p>Hobbies and education keep our minds young. My parents always insisted that when we stopped learning, we might as well be dead. Anyway, that's part of my justification for the collections and hobbies (hard to tell one from the other) that are scattered about our home. <br>

My wife and I collect (and study) quite a few things, including books, cameras, quilts, music, movies, firearms, tools, land, etc. None are considered investments by us, other than an investment in learning. A few have proven profitable, but the best way to destroy a hobby is to make it profitable.<br>

Rather than build onto our house, we tend to "thin the herd" by trading, selling, or giving away duplicates and items no longer germane to our interests. Much cheaper and more satisfying than construction, permits, and increased taxes.<br>

If something is wrong with you, then something is wrong with most of the people we know and many people on this forum. Safety in numbers.</p>

<p>Dale, we have to get together as I collect everything you do and more(ie stereo equipment). I tell my wife that camera's don't take up as much room as say a 35 lb Marantz reciever and therefore it is fairly benign and harmless not revealing that the many trunks of camera's is starting to overwhelm the basement, my man cave. I also make the excuse that this a much healthier lifestyle than wasting my time and money at a crack house. I can rationalize with the best of them as I am a mental health professional.</p>

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<p>James - I agree, keep "thinning the herd". For me, a collection has to be as beautiful to look at as it is fun to collect. So with my cameras, my goal is that they never look like clutter. That's different for everyone and depends on each space of course. My other rule is that each camera has to be useful - working shutters, the ability to run some type of film through it etc.<br>

Dale - I took a class once on museums, there are thousands out there on every subject. Full of someone's "collection", so we're not alone! I do like the words of advice above, it's only a problem when it affects your quality of life or takes precedence over you/your family's health and safety.</p>

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<p> Is there something wrong with me? I'm running out of space.</p>

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<p>Question - Answer</p>

<p>"In the 1960s there was a guy around the US Canada border ..." What a precise description of the liocation. More to the point, you think the brass in classic cameras will make you a millionaire?</p>

<p>Dale, if you are running out of space that is a problem. Assuming you can't sell or part with your entire colelction here are a few solutions: sell or give away some stuff you don't need to people who need it, catalogue your collections (including condition) to better understand what you have and its value, organize it so you can find stuff faster, put effort into using it more or doing restoration work, focus your collecting so you know what you are looking for and not buying what ever comes up, ...</p>

<p>From your message I'm not sure if you are truly running out of space or not. A serious collection of bicycles will inhale a lot of real estate. If you are indeed running out of space the then it is time to reassess your collecting habits.</p>