Are you a collector or a hoarder?
Many people enjoy collecting things. It can give a sense of purpose to life and provide a focus for one’s interests. For some, it is simply a way to display their personality. But for others, collecting can become an obsession that takes over their lives and negatively impacts their relationships, work, and health. So, how do you know if you are a collector or a hoarder?
Here are some key differences between collectors and hoarders:
A collector has a specific focus for their collection and can easily describe what they are collecting and why. A hoarder often collects random items with no clear purpose or focus.
A collector typically keeps their collection organized in an attractive way that can be displayed or shared with others. A hoarder often lets their belongings pile up in an unorganized way that is unsightly and causes clutter.
A collector enjoys the process of finding new items to add to their collection. A hoarder feels anxiety about getting rid of anything and may even feel compulsively compelled to acquire more things.
A collector will typically only keep items that are in good condition. A hoarder may keep damaged or broken items because they feel they may be able to fix them someday or they may feel sentimental attachment to them.
A collector will typically spend money on their hobby but still be able to stick to a budget. A hoarder may spend excessive amounts of money on things they don’t need and end up in debt as a result.
If you find yourself identifying more with the latter half of these descriptions, it may be time to take a step back and reassess your relationship with your belongings. Here are some tips for how to stop hoarding: