Why Are You Keeping It?

How many of you buy collectibles or keepsakes to admire but never take them out of the box or wrapping, for fear of ruining their value?

I collect Snoopy and Peanuts memorabilia. They are worth more in the box and untouched than out of the box. They have been in their original packaging for many years. The ones that did not come packaged are wrapped in tissue paper. I have them all neatly organized in different dark bins so the light does not get to them.

Did someone say batteries?

This year I decided to take everything out of the packaging and ENJOY! In the photo is the display of 2/3rds of my Peanuts decorations. Can I just say, “It was a huge day for batteries”? While most of the items came with batteries, almost everything needed replacements. Ask me if I minded. 😉

I had a blast putting in batteries, pushing buttons to hear the sounds, and setting things up on the shelves. Next year, I hope to have a tree so I can take out the ornaments! I do not have a ton of peanuts ornaments, but I have a lot of beautiful ones. At that time I’ll go through and reminisce about where each one came from and if there’s a story behind it. I bet you I’ll have a bag to give away.

Purging & Decluttering

Over the last several years I have been purging and downsizing in order to live a simpler life. You can read more about that here: The Queen of Purge. Having too much stuff to dust and care for uses up a lot of time that could be better spent elsewhere. That’s why I got rid of the stuffed animals.

I used to have a lot of Peanuts stuffed animals. They were rarely brought out since I was busy working and taking care of the family. And quite honestly, there was no room to have that many stuffed animals on display. You can read what I did with them here: Just Get Rid of it.

What is true value?

Google defines Value (noun) as this:

1. the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.”your support is of great value”

synonyms: worth, usefulness, advantage, benefit, gain, profit, importance, significance

2. a person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life.

Is it useful to keep the collectibles in the box? What is the true value of something, “to you”?

Keeping the collectibles in their boxes might be of financial value to some. As for me, I did not purchase my collectibles to sell. Therefore, I made a decision that the value of the Christmas decorations was to take them out of their boxes and enjoy them! To truly value something, you must allow yourself to enjoy it. Unless each collectible is on a shelf where you can look at it (in or out of the box), why are you keeping it?

You are the one who places value (importance) on each item in your home. Finding the “why” of keeping something is different for each person and quite personal.

So why are you keeping it…that which you do not use, look at, or play with?
Figuring out your “why” is a process. Many people keep collectibles and keepsakes thinking that one day they will sell them and make a fortune. Well, that’s more of a career and something you need to be knowledgeable about. I thought I could sell my collectibles and make a fortune when I started to get rid of things. I spent a month researching and going through all the items with a friend. In the end, we netted about $45. We could not find the “right” buyers.

I have a relative who is in the business of selling collectibles and even he said it takes just the right item for just the right buyer. Knowing how to do this takes just the right person. If this is what you want to do for a living, that’s great, collect away.

If you’re like the many people who look at a photo of an organized and pretty room on magazine covers and wish you lived there, then figure out your “why.” Decide what you need to do to enjoy what you have, pack it away so it’s not taking up space, or get rid of it. Ponder if the things you are keeping need yearly care. A few things to consider are: Will the item be a good home for bugs or moths, and is it something that can rust even if it’s in a box?

If you’re trying to live a life you enjoy, do you need to visualize it, get help getting there, or make lists? Whatever you need, plan it and DO IT! Let me know if I can help.

Can you think of things you keep packed away and do not have a chance to enjoy? Do you know your why of, “why are you keeping it?”Let me know in the comments below.

©2015 Susie Glennan
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