Monday, October 18, 2010

A New Kind of Hoarding

My new journal cover


My friend just gave me this little journal last night.  Isn't it so funny?  I love it.

And that might be a problem.

Lots of times, when I get something I love, I love it so much that I don't use it.  I'll buy a 99-cent ugly notebook at Target and have no problem filling it with words.  But when I get something that looks like this, that I'm just in love with, I want to save it.  I keep it out for days, look at it lovingly, show it to people and say, "Look at this!".  But eventually I put it away.  Saving it for some special day.

I do the same thing with clothes.  I wear my old worn in stuff all the time, but when I buy something that looks great, I put it in my closet and just admire it on it's hanger.  I'm saving it.  For some special day.

I even occasionally do this when I'm writing a song.  I'll come up with a line I think is really great.  So great, that the rest of the song doesn't seem worthy of it.  So I'll write it down but put it away, thinking I'll save it.  I'll save it for later, when the right song comes along. 

I recently read something that said this is actually a form of hoarding. I don't consider myself a hoarder, like those I've seen on the tv show, "Hoarders: Buried Alive", but maybe I am this other type of hoarder. 

Today, while shopping at Whole Foods Market, I smelled some candles that were scented "Mediterranean Fig".  I loved them, so I bought two.  I loved them so much I considered putting them away and saving them for the perfect evening when I'm feeling a little figgy.  But, knowing I really don't want to be a hoarder, and I really want to make right now feel special, I lit both of them!  And you know what, I'm starting to feel pretty figgy! 

17 comments:

Lisa said...

That is so funny because I do the same thing - I put things away for "someday". I am trying to break that habit because I've saved perfumes and lotions only to have them go bad and not be able to use them and I have saved clothing for way too many years. I also have a hard time using up my scrapbooking supplies but am trying to remind myself that new stuff that I'm sure to like will be there when I need it in the future.
Enjoy those candles!

Laurie said...

That journal cover is too funny! I have a lot of cool journals that I either have saved or only written in once. I remember buying my mother a very nice set of pajamas at Victoria's Secret many years ago and having her comment that she was going to save them to be buried in!!! After she passed (and elected to be cremated), I found those pajamas when I was cleaning out her house, and they had obviously been well worn and loved (to my great relief).

jacqueline said...

Dearest sweet kerri, your new journal is wonderful! I do the same too with all my new found love items from clothes to fabrics to craft supplies. hehe Your candles musta smell really good! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!

soleil said...

i so do this! i try not to. sometimes i succeed, other times, not so much. ;)

Kate England said...

What a funny journal cover! And yes, I do the same thing, put "nice" things away for a "special day". But you never know that it's a special day, do you? Not ahead of time? So I too am trying to use my special things...

lori said...

I do that too!!!! with candles...I won't want to use them because I hate the thought that they'll be gone if I do. So I have lots of unused candles and I just use the cheap ones...love that journal though...maybe use it by making it an inspirational journal...use photo corners and put pictures in each page that inspire you...that way it's something you'll want to look to a lot.

Jo said...

And me!! Isn't it funny how we save the best for later, some distant future, that perfect time. When really what we should be treasuring and celebrating is the here and now! I'm thrilled you lit those candles and enjoyed them so.
What a sparkling inspiration you are, dear Kerri. Time I started following your lead and doing the same - enjoying each moment because its special and worth acknowledging.
Hugs xxx

patty said...

Love it! Funny, I had not watched that show before (Hoarders), but last night I was kind of under the weather and was curled up in blankets and found myself mesmerized by it. I don't understand it at all, in terms of the power that stuff has over them, but I can relate to what you are saying here! Saving the "good stuff" - oh yea, guilty! That journal cover is definitely one of a kind, but it will still be there even when you fill it with words! Yea for lighting your candles!!

Anonymous said...

Feelin' figgy is a good thing!! So happy you lit the candles so you could enjoy them.

And how cute is the journal cover?!? It so needs to be filled with your beautiful words and songs and images that inspire you. That journal needs some Kerri love to fill it up!!

xx you figgy woman...(oh that reminds me of "Witchy Woman" by the Eagles!! lol)

Jadyn said...

So recognizable! Love the journal cover by the way, it made my husband chuckle too when he walked by and noticed what was on my computer screen. So interesting how the "saving for a perfect time" behavior is a form of hoarding. After watching hoarders (the show) the other day, certainly enough to scare me into using all my good stuff that I'm saving!

amy friend said...

well, this is definitely something that you should use everyday...just for the laugh factor!

Anonymous said...

I can't use things My friends or family gave me as gifts. I put them away and keep them like treasures. But I use and crash and ruin everything I buy by myself. Sometimes I feel like I should have more care and consideration of my things, but it's stronger than me. But in my studio I have a whole cabinet wich is filled wiyh gifts from my friends and family, and tehre is no way I'm gonna use those.

Heather said...

Have you seen American Pickers? Kind of similar- these people go through barns and things looking for treasures. It's amazing what people hold on to. Probably a lot of it is "someday" possessions.

BUT, I can't really talk because I love the hunt for vintage stuff. If I'm not careful, I might end up the crazy lady with the garage full of randomness.

Kristi said...

What a funny journal cover! Too cute. I too want to save the special stuff for the special occasions. I am glad that you lit both candles and made your evening special. ♥

Melissa Sarno said...

Kerri. That Michael Jackson dog scares the cr** out of me.

Lis said...

I catch myself doing the same thing! Although I just inherited my mother's massive collection of decorative cocktail napkins and am realizing one women's treasure, another's trash and I don't want my daughter burdened by my collection of - yes - pretty, unused journals!

You've inspired me. And a reminder when I stuff things away for later, I am often acting on the belief that I will not have enough, that abundance is not my world and I don't want to believe that anymore!

Sharon Creech said...

Whoah. Very wise. I do the same thing. Am going to go find one of those 'saved' too-pretty notebooks and fill it up. Going to wear that too-nice sweater! ho!