I collect too many things. I collect tons of toys/action figures/dolls/squishies/stuffed animals/minifigures (Barbie, My Little Pony, Sesame Street, Looney Tunes, Lego, Nickelodeon, Disney, Schleich, Funko Pops, Reborns, Cabbage Patch Dolls, Coraline, etc.) I have an entire room for all my toys and collectibles. I collect books, especially children’s books and books about subjects I am obsessed with, ranging from Michael Jackson, Nirvana, and Dance Moms, to art/artists, writing/writers, poetry, comics/manga, and antique books. The books also have a room of their own, which they share with my husband’s smaller but still sizable book collection (mostly history, true crime, and science fiction grace his shelves).
I have a huge collection of art supplies and stickers (which also get shoved into my extra “toy room”). I have a large collection of cds, especially from my favorite artists (MJ again, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Enya, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, 60’s 70’s & 90’s hits, Disney soundtracks, etc.)
I have an entire dresser drawer full of bookmarks, a wide selection of cute or nerdy notebooks/journals/stationery and a cabinet full of magickal/pagan themed objects I use for my little ritual altar. I also have a large collection of sentimental items I have saved ranging from photos to cards to letters to objects from loved ones who have passed on.
I am emotionally connected to many of the things I collect and the idea of parting with them is traumatic. I figure this need to collect things is part of the autistic side of me, but sometimes I become overwhelmed by the size of my own collections!
Maranda Russell 
This is a great post. I buy things with emotional reasons that I intend using but then don’t. I either need to start using what I have bought or get rid of it. I’m putting it off until spring…that’s my deadline.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, sometimes my collecting gets so out of hand, I feel like it is hard to even enjoy much of it because I can only display so much at one time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think collections are important. I know everyone is trying to live an uncluttered life, but if you’re creative you have to have things around to inspire you. At least I do. I have cleaned out and moved so many times, I regret things I’ve lost along the way. I like having shelves and little things displayed, and lots, and lots of books. Just seeing them and remembering the stories makes me happy. And I have many books I read over and over — I Love my picture books. They are my anti-depressants. With my art, I switch things out — store things in the closet in spring, put up things that have been in storage out again. I have a lovely postcard art gallery in my bathroom. They make me happy. I don’t have to live a minimalist life. Things, toys, books — they help me cultivate delight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, some of the things I love do indeed inspire creativity. I like the way you look at this subject 🙂
LikeLike
That is a pretty big collection. My biggest collection is books which unfortunately have found their way into totes in my basement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I thought about taking a picture of our room of books too, but it is kind of messy right now because my husband also uses it as his office.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That must be a pretty big sized collection then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, yep!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this omg keep collecting it’s fun and priceless!💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get that they hold memories
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, that is a big part of it, even with the toys. I have a lot of toys from the era I grew up in.
LikeLike
Loved this post Maranda. We collector people know what we want. I loved collecting books. But I bought a Kindle and gave away five bookshelves to the local library. Though I still have three bookshelves of hard bound books to treasure. My wife loves build a bear, though she is a full grown adult. We have about 25 of various bears about the house. Save me from bears.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have quite a few Build a Bears myself. Probabaly around 10 or so. I bought a Kindle a few years ago, but I still prefer print books by a huge margin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t do that. I get too confused and muddled up and overwhelmed. I slept in this morning and had a panic attack because I couldn’t find a pair of matching shoes in the storage box of shoes that I keep under the bed. And I couldn’t find my keys or anything. LOL in panic mode, all normal “i should have been a hufflepuff” axioms prove me to be a liar lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, I am pretty organized at least, even if I have a ton of stuff.
LikeLike
Yay! So that’s why you’re allowed to have nice things. You take care of them 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I do take care of my things 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this post. I loved collecting stuff when I was younger. For some reason I even collected beer mats. But stopped a few years back. Son is now obsessed with collecting, doesn’t like letting things go. He loves just looking at collections. Lego figures, cuddly toy animals, dinosaurs, Wrestling stuff, football cards.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I was a kid I never played with toys, I liked to either count them or just set them up. I don’t count them anymore, but I still love to set them up.
LikeLike
I love collecting too, Maranda ^^
I think it’s genetic lol, because my Dad had loads of collections too – he was into coins, stamps, miniature cars. I’m into loads of things, quite often related to crafting. I have several sewing machines, dolls (both reborn types and BJDs); craft books galores, thimbles, bookmarks, buttons, yarn, fabric . . . and love being in my little sewing room where I am surrounded by so much “stuff” which, some people would consider “clutter” but to me, it’s all very important.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe it is genetic! My mom has so many things she collects too, but her interest is more in decorating than mine is. Mine tends to be more nerdy.
LikeLike
You are beginning to sound just like Amanda, but I admit to being far from perfect too!¬
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL, we can be imperfect together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Collections are brilliant!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree!
LikeLiked by 1 person