Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post from Jennifer Tritt.
As my love and I prepare to downsize and move, we are sorting through our belongings once again. We’ve completed much decluttering over the years as we’ve grown to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. We examined our belongings with discerning eyes and parted with what we no longer used or cherished.
Our living space is functional, open and peaceful. In my experience, decluttering stuff helps to declutter the mind and open the heart. Having less to do allows us to be. In this fresh space is where we can explore new interests and find new meaning in our lives.
We’ve donated clothing, kitchen items, furniture, art and books. We’ve invited our college-aged kids to take what they want. We’ve eliminated dumpsters full of unnecessary paperwork and sorted through mementos and keepsakes, holding on to the most precious.
Now we are looking at furniture and collectibles. We’re giving family furniture that won’t fit into our new home to family members who’ve expressed interest. We are planning a garage sale and attempting to sell some items on eBay.
I am doing my best not to push and am thrilled that he is ready to part with some sports memorabilia and work-related mementos, even though he’s holding on to the comic books and Hot Wheels for now. He may later decide that he’s ready to part with them. This is a personal process and there is no need to rush decisions.
The Longaberger Principle
Last night I coined the phrase, “the Longaberger lesson,” when we discovered, with shock, that some items he thought would be in great demand, failed to garner any bids on eBay. I had a similar experience, early in my decluttering, when I decided to let go of my once treasured Longaberger baskets.
I found an auction house that was about to host a Longaberger auction and anticipated making big bucks. The amount of money that I made on my collection would have paid for one basket during the heyday of my collecting.
This experience and resulting deflated feeling got me thinking. Why do we collect? How do we arrive at the decision to part with our collections? What is the true value of a collection?
I collected baskets, because I thought they were beautiful, many of them were useful, I enjoyed comparing collections and hosting parties with girlfriends, and loved seeking the sense of completion that finalizing a collection could bring. I spent a significant amount of money and managed to rationalize each purchase.
I believed my collection would increase in value, but never considered the monetary value would decrease. I parted with the baskets because they reminded me of a different time in my life and I no longer found them useful. I have eliminated other collections that were simply taking up space: collectible plates, jewelry, dishes and books—and it’s been freeing.
How to Part with Collectibles
Here are a few thoughts on how to approach parting with a collection:
1. Keep a piece.
When I sold my baskets, I kept a few that I use. If you have a collection in storage, for example, Hot Wheels, you could create a small display of your favorites that you actually enjoy seeing as you pass by, and part with the rest.
2. Seek collectors.
Find your kindred spirits! There are many ways to sell your collection: online, at a garage sale, or through an auction house or flea market. See any money you make as a bonus as you part with your collection. Even if the collection has decreased in monetary value, the sentimental value may be equally important to the new owner.
3. Embrace change and release guilt.
Our interests and preferences change over time. We grow. We expand our interests, our values shift and our tastes changes. Remember the joy you felt while collecting, and release the guilt you may attach to the dollars you spent and will not be able to recover.
My collection was packed and stored for a while, but when I saw the boxes, I felt bad. I was happy to free the space and release the energy. I also released the guilt for the money I had invested.
4. Define value more broadly.
Value extends beyond the price you can fetch for an item or a collection. What you once loved, but wish to release, someone else may love and treasure. Focus on the fun you had amassing your collection, and move on to pursuing your new interests. Live in the present!
5. Find joy in giving.
Seek friends or other folks who would appreciate your collection. Enjoy watching the joy on their faces when they receive. Consider donating or selling if you cannot find a friend or acquaintance who is interested.
I do believe that minimalists can be collectors. Although I’ve shifted my priority from things to experiences, I continue to collect refrigerator magnets from my travels. Looking at them makes me smile as I think about the associated visit.
***
Jennifer Tritt is an academic counselor at a community college, has recently adopted a minimalist lifestyle, and is passionate about sharing her experiences.
Frances Wise says
This post is very meaningful to me. We were forced to declutter, as we lost our home in a fire in September. All of our “possessions” no longer seemed important, as long as we had our family. Though I never want to go through a fire again, I feel somewhat of a relief that I didn’t have to make a choice about things that (in my heart) I knew I should get rid of. As we are trying to rebuild our lives, I am taking a long look at what I “need” versus what I “want”. It has been a learning experience for me. The things I thought my family would treasure went up in smoke. We have our memories and that is enough.
Christine Robertson says
Such beauty in this wisdom. I’m so sorry you went through this loss.
Lou says
I have been going through things to declutter since we are moving to a smaller place. I have Longerberger baskets, doll collection, books – – I love books. I had a lot of fabric – when I did sewing, – but I got rid of all my fabrics. I had to be at the right place in my life to be ready to rid my life of all these collections. I ponder, where I will keep certain items I choose to keep – in our ‘new’ place. I still like to crochet – so am keeping certain yarns I know I will use – and getting rid of a bunch of yarns. Also keeping certain “scrapbook” crafts since I make cards and calendars for family. It’s a difficult process to get rid of ‘things’ but I have toughen my nostalgic feelings about a lot of ‘things.’ I am not going to sit and twiddle my thumbs in our new place. So it is important to keep certain items that I enjoy doing.
Debbie Marnin says
My mother spent thousands of dollars on collectible plates and cups featuring children. She had some displayed, but it wasn’t until her death we discovered the extent of her investment tucked away in closets and boxes and drawers. THOUSANDS of dollars. And we shook our heads in dismay at our perceived waste of so much of her money on things which proved to be quite worthless in our attempts to sell when she was gone. But we also found old records documenting her life as an abandoned child, separated from siblings she loved and never to be seen again. Records of her adoption, records which documented her young mothers attempts to find her children. I came to understand through every heartbreaking chapter of brittle paper I sifted through that my moms purchases were probably her way of comforting the abandoned child that still lived deep within her even in her old age. No doubt she couldn’t resist the painted portraits of smiling kids with flowers and puppies and tiny bare feet in soft grass. I can imagine her joy as she opened each box and looked into bright eyes which suggested warm beds and happy families and picnics in the summer.
In terms of their re-sale value the entire collection was worthless. In terms of the joy they brought my mom, they were quite priceless.
And because she worked hard to give my sisters and I a warm family, bed time hugs and picnics in the summer, we had no need to buy plates. Or keep hers. We chose a few by which to remember her and let the rest go without regret.
Lisa says
Thank you for sharing this very thoughtful story.
SB says
I will look at my mother’s treasures differently now because of your willingness to share.
Amy Shaw says
Thank you for sharing this. It is a very touching story and I think your analysis of the situation is exactly correct. I’m glad that your mom was able to find comfort in her collection and that she was able to give you and your sisters the non-tangible things that that might have been missing in her life. She sounds like a woman of great resilience and I have no doubt that she raised some very strong and loving daughters.
Kathie Hamilton says
So touching and insightful.
Y. Clem says
As Kenny Roger’s said. You have to know when to hold and when to fold. True story I sold Longaberger for 3 years in the 80’s. In 2000 I became a widow and moved. I sold 12 of my Longaberger collector baskets for enough to purchase a Ref,stove,softener,washer and dryer and dishwasher. A few years later prices crashed but I still have and use many of the quality baskets produced by Dave Longaberger before his death.
Marina says
Hi there, I am just going threw a separation, now l have to go threw boxes and boxes of collectables, l don’t have the energy or time, but l don’t know what to do with it all. It is weighing heavy on me, cause can’t forgive myself for all the money I spent. Guilt guilt
Sandra says
. . .going *through*.
Diane C. says
Petty
Christine R says
Sandra, why would you feel a need to correct spelling for someone going through a difficult time. Compassionate. Kindness.
peggy says
I had never heard of a Longenberger basket until I read this column. I am so glad that I have never succumbed to the desire to “collect” man made articles. I do have a collection of sea shells. Each one is unique, they are unbranded and did not cost much (some were free).
Sandy says
Ha! I recently inherited lot’s of Longaberger baskets (grin). They are very nice, but do not have value like anyone thought they would have. They need to go!
CJ says
The Longaberger metaphor is ironic in that Longaberger “decluttered” their own giant basket-shaped HQ in Ohio, which went down massively in value after they went bust in ’16-18. Nobody wants to buy it, either.
Irony aside, the focus on collections of material goods to bring future wealth seems to be a fallacy whereby the “99%,” so to speak, think their possessions will result in a goldmine in the future just as the priceless artifacts that can be bought and sold by the “1%”. Bezos might sell Beanie Babies, but there’s a reason he doesn’t have them sitting on a display pillar in his mansion.
While public displays like “Antique Roadshow” perpetuate the notion that we have hidden treasure, there is rarely a magical “stuff Bitcoin” that appreciates in value overnight. And hey, I used to be one of those people, collecting Mint In Box comic book collectibles, books and figures. Then the market went bust. I opened the boxes and enjoyed a few, the rest I passed on to others. I even, gasp, let my kid open some and just play with them. I have a few inches left of the comics I loved best. Whomever finds them later and loves them, good on them. And if they mysteriously strike it rich with a DC Vertigo Mint In Box they found at some flea market? Good on them, too.
I use and enjoy my things now. Life is way too short to hitch my horse to the promise of a new tomorrow when I could be riding the horse today. For building a future nest-egg, I’ll invest slowly and with what I can save in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, save some cash, buy some gold, and cross my fingers.
Liz says
THIS. “Irony aside, the focus on collections of material goods to bring future wealth seems to be a fallacy whereby the “99%,” so to speak, think their possessions will result in a goldmine in the future.”
Surveys show adult children would rather inherit money than stuff. I am one of those adult children who, unfortunately, is staring down a bunch of antiques– glassware, clocks, guns–I will be saddled with. Also, stamps!
The boomer and silent generations fluffed their nests while we continue to flee them.
Budget Life List says
Of all the ironies, I still ponder over how less can feel like more!
I love your gentle approach to getting rid of your collectables as well as not reproaching your past decisions. I find the hardest part of being human is the part with human flaws.
Jean says
This post really hits home. I spent quite a bit of money on certain “treasures” but am now kicking myself for my stupidity. If I knew then what I know now…
Patty says
Try not to kick yourself, Jean! I love what the author says about remembering the joy you felt in collecting. I find regret to be a very painful and useless emotion — your present self is not deserving of the feelings of regret as you contemplate a past self. I used to spend a lot of time making Creative Memory Scrapbooks. I loved them as a creative outlet and a way to commemorate our family life. When I got tired of making them, I stopped. It may be that my children will never want them, but I still enjoy looking at the 10 years or so of beautiful scrapbooks. Yes, I spent a bit of money on all the crafting supplies, but having the creative outlet was very important for me when my children were young. Don’t waste a valuable moment of your current life in regret! Everything that you have done in your life makes you who you are today.
Peggy Sabau says
I do scrapbooking, too! Actually, I find it a great way to de-clutter because I can take pictures of my favorite heirlooms, put the photos in a scrapbook, and then sell/give away the “things” that clutter up my life. I’ve done that with dishes, knick-knacks, childhood toys, children’s artwork, all kinds of things. I’ve emptied bookshelves and put favorite titles on a Nook that fits nicely on a bedside table. Still have a long way to go, but I love the space and freedom of having fewer things.
Jill says
Wonderful article! Thanks Jennifer for giving me a new insight as to abolishing the guilt I’ve felt about all the money I have spent over several years collecting different items. Where I used to feel guilty and even ashamed about the amount of money I thought I had wasted collecting and then eventually selling or donating those items later. It’s a relief to know that I’m not the only one in regards to this.
joy perkins says
I’m a Professional Organizer and one thing I tell clients struggling with guilt is to look at the joy of collecting like any other hobby.
If they’d played golf or gone sailing they would have spent money and have nothing but happy memories to show for it.
Miriam says
I really like the golf/sailing analogy. That truly hits home.