Dear Friends, I have a confession to make.
I am a hoarder. I know this may not come as a surprise to some of you,
but it has just become apparent to me.
I have happily been collecting most of my life all the things I love and never
once realized there was anything wrong with this. I opened my newspaper this week to
be confronted by an article on hoarding.
It was an eye opener!
"Hoarders are reluctant to reveal it. They are embarrassed by it but don't want to seek
treatment," it read. Well, I am revealing it and I am not even embarrassed! "Hoarding is considered a
mental disorder although whether it's a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder is up for debate." Sheesh!
These people are rough!
I was guilty of the seven signs of a compulsive hoarder. And I thought I just loved to
collect cute stuff! My collections are dear to me and as long as it's not interferring with my quality of
life or my family's then I think I'm okay. It is in the deepest fabric of my being to want
to collect things. I can't help it, does that make me mental?
On the upside, it did say that 'hoarders shouldn't be confused with slobs or people who collect things.'
Then why did this article make me feel so guilty?
I refuse to believe that I have a mental disorder or am in denial.
Okay, maybe.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing these pictures of some of my collections and don't think ill of me
for having them. I hope that many of you will understand my joy of collecting and maybe share
in it, too!
Collecting has been my great extravagance. It's a way of being. I collect for the
same reason I eat too much-I'm one of nature's shoppers. - Howard Hodgkin
Have a lovely day!
Twyla
30 comments:
I, too, am a collector and sometimes feel that guilt too! I remain steadfast, though, as I love my collections. Its not like they're in piles and unseen! Collectors Unite!
Hi Twyla, You certainly aren't alone. Your collections are so pretty...doesn't that count for something? Patty
I think your collections are wonderful, Twyla! You shouldn't feel guilty about collecting sweet things that bring you joy!
Enjoy your pretty things, my friend...besides, you're not hoarding them, you're sharing them with all of us!
Julie
OMG, what a collection. I especially love all these enchanting cups.
Dear Twyla,
I am sooo glad that you are a hoarder/collector!! Otherwise we in Blogland would be missing out on some serious eyecandy and wonderful reading material!! You Rock!!!!
Warm hugs, Laura.
P.S. I am a hoarder/collector, too!! Pop over for a visit!!
I collect/hoard stuff too! There was a time when i collected pencil shavings too :p ..used it to make artwork!
I've watched the show on TV about hoarders and everytime when I do I want to declutter my stuff. LOL! True hoarders are not collectors like you or me. I've seen shows where they don't throw anything away...food, trash, clothes and the piles are so high that they have to walk over their junk. Many can't use their kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms or function at all. On the other hand, your collections are beautiful and displayed wonderfully. Trust me you are NOT a hoarder.
I love the soft colors and theme of your collection Twyla. And if it is a mental disorder ~ alot of us need to head to the couch to get some help! Thanks for sharing the pictures. I loved staring into them to see all your treasures. deb
your things are displayed so beautifully... I wouldn't call that hoarding! (and definitely NOT mental, lol!)
♥anne
I don't think I have ever seen a hoarder keep their collections quite so nicely. Unless you have boxes and boxes of stuff never to be seen taking up your living space, I don't think I would worry. After all who are you bothering?
Join the club, girlfriend! I love your collections and don't see a single thing wrong with you saving the things you love. And the fact that you share so generously with all of us just has to offset any negatives! Have a wonderful day, Twyla.
xoxo
Donna
Hi dear Twyla,I believe there is a huge difference in hoarders and just common collectors. Your collections are so neat and displayed just lovely....true hoarders collect mostly paper,scraps of material,empty plastic containers,dryer lent,etc...they can't allow themselves to do away with such things for fear that they might become useful in some way. I do believe we can get to a point of having just to much stuff..in a case when it becomes to much to manage as is the reason I have been weeding some in my home. It is just so hard to pass up something that is just sooo cute...smile. I went to GW the other day and saw a piece of pottery that was just that...C'ute but,I managed to resit and leave it for someone else...might be because it was over priced though...other wise I probably would have put it in my cart...smile. I love all your collections ...they are wonderful and if they make you happy..I say continue collecting them....blessings
Hi Twyla, I love your beautiful collections. I too am a collector, of course my husband thinks that I'm a hoarder. I do have alot of different collections, and our home is pretty full of them, so I try not to buy much anymore, or if I do I try to sale something so I can make room for something new! I also have a 2200 sq.foot storage full of things, well maybe I am a hoarder! Blessings~~~ Daphne
Sweet Twyla, no you are not a hoarder! A hoarder collects things that have no value, and your collections have great value to both your heart and others. Now if you have a drawer full of rubber bands or straws..... You are a collector, and we are all happier for it! Elizabeth
These days, hoarder is a bad word. I would rather be a "slob who collects things"! Your collections are beautiful Twyla, and very nicely displayed. I especially love all of your pottery!
Lovely & sweet...your collections are great!!! From one fellow hoarder to another...no worries!! I think as long as we dust things off once in a while...and make sure we don't let the trash stack up...we are ok.
Thank you for stopping by my blog...I love yours!!!
Take Care,
Kristin
I think we could start a hoarders club! lol Most of us LOVE to hunt for treasures and collect pretty things! I think it makes life fun and gives us variety! I love all of your beautiful collections and think you are enjoying life! Hugs! ♥
Love your collections, love my collections!! Sometimes I must admit my stashs border on hoarding...but I do have some purpose in mind for them. So I still consider myself a collector.
You are so neat and orderly...definitely not the trait of a hoarder.
Me and my hoarding ways don't look quite as lovely as yours! :) I have to look a million places before I can find that thing that I thought I had. :/ Have a great rest of the week. Tammy
I'm right there with ya sista!
Love all of your collections!
Leann
Rather than being hoarders, Twyla - I believe that we have earned the title "Collectors Extraordinaire". Yep - you and me both, that's what we are.
And I think we should shout it high and low and be proud of it!!
So there.
I have had worries about the hoarder show coming to my door to "help" me! You honestly have beautiful collections, Twyla! I will take the mugs and the vases off your hands any day!
I am beginning to think I collect "craft supplies" both new and old. Just can't get enough of them!
Hugs,
Suz
Oh Twyla! Your collections are lovely and much loved and taken care of! Nothing to worry about there.
So unless you've misplaced your husband and children, be of good cheer, I think you're just fine! :)
I think there is a BIG difference between collecting and hoarding.I also think you are fine.
You can see surfaces in your haouse and I bet you know what and everything is.
Have fun.
Melinda
You have lovely collections and I really enjoy your postings about your recent antique finds.
I recently decided it was time to reduce my Vintage Barbie Collection and put them on ebay so they can find homes with other Barbie Collectors who will love them...giving them up was not easy to do, they are so pretty!
-pamela :)
I am a hoarder too. Right now I am trying to figure out where to put all my cook books. Many many of them!! That is only a very small portion of my hoarding. I am also a clean freak so I would have to say my hoarding is neat and clean. Someday if I dig all the stuff out of their designated spots I will post some of them. I could probably create a whole blog on all my stuff. If we enjoy our collections and if we still have room to turn around in our houses I don't think it's a problem.
Oh drat! I'm a hoarder too, but I'm rather proud of it. I hoard china, dolls, fabric, thread, books and teapots. Also aprons. And linens. Hmm...don't think I can help myself!
How did I miss Twyla day?! ♥
I think your collections are wonderful, Twyla! Bobby's the hoarder in this family so I can't be one,too! Drats! ;)
This is the cutest post! It should be published in the newspaper, too! You know I love all your collections. Wish I could visit & see them in person. xoxoxo
If loving pretties is wrong, I don't want to be right...
Love your post! I think I am a hoarder, a slob, and a collector. Hmmm. Oh well! Got to run - must see if there are any estate sales this weekend :)
Cheers!
Kristen
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