Thread Number: 21391
Does anyone else ever get really depressed about their collections?
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Post# 239370   7/8/2013 at 14:57 (3,916 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)        

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I'm feeling very out of sorts about collecting at the moment. I was in the cellar earlier on putting the dryer on and looked around at all these vacuums and just thought "...urgh!". They're taking up so much room, expense and time when I could be doing something far more productive. I am THIS close to selling any of any value and giving any less valuable but in full working order to charity. The thing is, I've felt like this before and it's gone, but never so strongly.

Does anyone else ever feel like this? If so, what do you do? I don't want to do anything I'm going to regret later.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.


Post# 239373 , Reply# 1   7/8/2013 at 15:10 (3,916 days old) by kenkart ()        
You will be...

Sorry, everything ive ever got rid of I wish I had back, and i have been collecting a long time.

Post# 239375 , Reply# 2   7/8/2013 at 15:22 (3,916 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)        

gsheen's profile picture
I get a bit down about the fact that I have so many in poor condition that I simply do not have the time to overhaul.

Thats all changing. I have been spending so much time getting our new shop setup and running smoothly that its all been put on the back burner.

I Just finished building a workshop at home again just for overhauling and rebuilding my collection.

I enjoy working on my collection and its a nice stress reliever


Post# 239377 , Reply# 3   7/8/2013 at 15:24 (3,916 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
I just look at everything at times and

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
wonder 'how it all got here'. I want to/nee to/ have to organize it all. I' know there ias a lot I 'll sell as there are a lot of "multiples". I think about if something were to happen to me. My family would go nuts.
But, I nerver thought I'd ever have these machines, so, I am VERY GLAD to actually have them. So, no, I'm not "out of sorts". Maybe just a tad overwhelmed at times. When it's all documented and displayed, I'll mentally be a lot better.
Be careful: everyone is RIGHT when they say, 'You'll regret it later', if you get rid of them.


Post# 239386 , Reply# 4   7/8/2013 at 15:45 (3,916 days old) by thekirbylover (Warrington, cheshire )        

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I hate having an vacuum obsession i would just love to have the usual interests but i cant really do anything about it, thankfully I have friends who don't understand, but don't like or hate me any less because of them, when i feel low about them I try to remove them all from my room

Post# 239388 , Reply# 5   7/8/2013 at 15:57 (3,916 days old) by Ultimatevacman ( Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK)        

ultimatevacman's profile picture
Hi Chris,

I know how you feel, I was having one of those days a few weeks ago, and it's no so easy to get over when the only place you are allowed to keep you vacuums is in your room, staring at you all the the time.

What I did, was think about where those vacuums came from, and all the memories they bring back. Also think, "today, I don't like my vacuums, but tomorrow, I'll love them!".

Just make sure you don't get rid of your collection, as you will really regret it if you do.

Joe


Post# 239392 , Reply# 6   7/8/2013 at 16:02 (3,916 days old) by AudibleNectar ()        
My view on "collecting":

I am one who will "stock up" on goods/parts for areas of interest (hobby) or use (vacuums) - but not to the point of hoarding beyond anticipated use.

 

Examples:

 

I am an audio enthusiast who has a decent array of gears, divided into two systems: One home theater/2 channel combo room, the 2 channel portion comprised of vacuum tube gear, and another system in a second room comprised of vintage vacuum tube gears that have been rebuilt for best sonics and operability. These systems are built of such quality to be good until I am dead (McIntosh/Klipsch from the 60's/70's, etc).

 

I have a few pieces (amp pairs and preamps) that can serve as parts donors or replacements if anything goes wrong, as well as a collection of vintage vacuum tubes, like Telefunken and Amperex Bugle Boy 12AX7 and Genelex KT66, which will never be made again and are necessary to maintain the special sonics these gears are capable of. Nothing brings such beautiful music! So if those tubes need replacing, I have "back stash" to be able to replace them, as well as those precious power supply cans, resistors, and capacitors that sound like no other.

 

But I don't have rooms full of a hundred different components, like many I know in the hobby, just collecting dust and rarely get touched. What I have are for use or planned use and are limited in scope.

 

The same with my vacuum equipment.

 

I have a small "collection", but more from a perspective of usability than anything else. Three Aerus/Lux uprights (one daily driver, one occasional, one to be the "backup"), three canisters (same scheme), three Floor Pros (same idea - I could buy extra light use Floor Pros for less than I could buy the included brushes by themselves) , along with a stash of belts and brush rollers, and am still gathering a few extra parts. But NOT 50 vacs. Or 100. I have what I have knowing that this will probably be all the vacuums I will need until I'm dead, built of a quality that will likely be more rare in the medium to long term future. So I stocked up on light use late model examples of what I want for vacs, and will fill out some extra anticipated parts to back them up. And then I will be done.

 

With my audio hobby, I finished the "collecting" long ago, once I found and got what I wanted/needed. I only replace/buy new when required - for example new HDTV gear a few years ago. But I haven't bought much else in years, because I have what I need and will potentially use to keep up that hobby. All I buy now is music and a movie on occasion.

 

So in that vein, I am less of a "collector" and more of an enthusiast. I like genuine quality in the things I use often, and will invest wisely in the things I know I will get good out of. But that's as far as it goes.


Post# 239393 , Reply# 7   7/8/2013 at 16:03 (3,916 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
"I hate having a vacuum obsession"

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I don't really hate having an "obsession" I have felt a strong interest towards vacuums since I can remember so I don't question it, and if I did question it, it would just lead to more questions!
I know that if I didn't spend my money on vacuum cleaners I would have more money for other things. If my money wasn't spent on vacuums it would just be something else that I would spend the same or more money on...There are far more worse things to spend your money on than vacuum cleaners I.E something that might kill you, like drugs, sex, alcohol, cigarettes.
If I normally loose interest in them I get them all out my way (I put them in the loft, shed or garage) so I can forget about them, I could NEVER sell them because if I were (which I knew I would) to get back into them I would regret it, very much!

I will leave you with this...You know what they say, you do what is right for you at that time. Good luck!

Alex.


Post# 239399 , Reply# 8   7/8/2013 at 16:24 (3,916 days old) by markus79 (Finland)        
you are not alone

Actually I have the same feeling right now. I have so many projects with my vacuums that I do not have time to do anything else. I have three different storages to my vacuums and one of them is my home!!! Right now there is 42 vacuums laying on my floor! Right now I own about 150 vacuums and it is so easy to buy but so difficult to sell or throw away (even broken ones). If I throw away some parts like a hose or wheel, next week I need it. Awful.

And it's so difficult to ask any friends to visit. I hope that I own the only one vacuum cleaner like normal people=)

You have a great collection, donīt sell it but maybe you can sort them out of sight for a while. Actually I will do that when I have time to do that. I hope to find for such a big place that I can get them out of my house.

Best Regards
Markus


Post# 239400 , Reply# 9   7/8/2013 at 16:47 (3,916 days old) by anthony (leeds uk)        
i

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tend to loose interest once i have repaired a machine and am always looking for the next challenge i dont spend a lot just a fiew pounds here and there i do like old vacuums better than new ones its like looking at a modern state of the art telly and then looking at one from say the 50s in a nice walnut cabinet with bakelite knobs no competition for me

Post# 239411 , Reply# 10   7/8/2013 at 17:47 (3,916 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

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When it got to the point that my parents garage and loft became so chocka with many vacuums I had to draw the line. It is difficult trying to pick your favourites but at the same time, unless you are willing to sell your collection off bit by bit, if I had the chance to do it all again, I wouldn't because I learnt from my experience. I think something changed in me because as I sold off most of my collections, not always at profit I started to collect appliance brochures and vacuum cleaner paraphernalia instead. A couple of magazines is nothing to what I had before when it came to the 100s of vacuums I once owned.

Much more space now and little to fall over!



Post# 239415 , Reply# 11   7/8/2013 at 18:56 (3,916 days old) by starryblues4u (Charlotte, NC)        
Hmmm

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I am going through that right now. Have been for a while. I have started selling off the ones I don't use. I am keeping my higher end brands.

Post# 239431 , Reply# 12   7/8/2013 at 22:05 (3,916 days old) by NYCWriter (New York City)        
Chris ...

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... let me pose a few questions for you.

Do you think your vacuum hobby is keeping you from life responsibilities? (Work, family, etc.)

Do you think your vacuum hobby is keeping you from other activities that you think you might enjoy more?

Do you think your vacuum hobby is keeping you from being a more social person?

Do you think your vacuum hobby is keeping you from reaching your full potential (starting a business, writing a book, going back to school, etc.)

And finally, is the angst you feel about your collection generated externally, or internally? Is it something someone has told you? Are you framing your hobby -- something you love -- in the context of what OTHERS think and expect of you?

If you answered "no" to the first four questions, and "yes" to the final question, I believe I can safely assume that your difficulty is worrying too much about what other people think.

Enjoy your collection! :)


Post# 239434 , Reply# 13   7/8/2013 at 22:42 (3,916 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

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Yes, toooooo many and not enough room.

Post# 239461 , Reply# 14   7/9/2013 at 09:54 (3,915 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
Matt!!!!

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That was profound.

Post# 239471 , Reply# 15   7/9/2013 at 10:46 (3,915 days old) by 1926700 ()        
Yes it was!!!!!

I dont see why SOOOO many people are so worried about there vacuums and what others think, we had this discussion in miscellanea involving the relationship side of it. But on the plain human side, it comes down the the same answer, BE YOUR SELF!!! if someone disapproves of you having 200 vacs, or in my case, plus 9 record players, and some large appliances, that is no business of there's.....everyone is not a carbon copy, if the good lord wanted us to be all the same he would have made us so.

 

the only thing that should make you question your collection, is if it is a battle with your self, inside your self, if something inside you is telling you so, then that would be a voice to heed, and follow. Just keep in mind that if you act to fast, then you might regret something, take your time. Think things over carefully. I love my vacs, but it has gotten to where i need to concentrate on only a few different machines and brands..... and that has helped massively.


Post# 239474 , Reply# 16   7/9/2013 at 10:59 (3,915 days old) by dysondestijl (east midlands, UK)        

I really think I should just get a life but then I realise the joy of finding something in its box with all it's original tools is wonderfull!
If you do end up giving a few away then let me know:)


Post# 239478 , Reply# 17   7/9/2013 at 11:19 (3,915 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)        

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Ok, here goes...

Q. Do you think your vacuum hobby is keeping you from life responsibilities? (Work, family, etc.)
A. Not necessarilly, but it is something I have to consider a lot. One of the things I want to do in the near future is move house so I'd have to pay more to find someone to keep them all.

Q. Do you think your vacuum hobby is keeping you from other activities that you think you might enjoy more?
A. Yes. IT's expensive. And rather than spending Ģ30 or Ģ40 on an old vacuum, I could be out doing something far more productive or at the very least, paying off things like my overdraft, credit card etc. I'm also in desperate need of new furniture and could be spending money on that.

Q. Do you think your vacuum hobby is keeping you from being a more social person?
A. No. Quite the opposite. I've met some of the best people I know through this.

Q. Do you think your vacuum hobby is keeping you from reaching your full potential (starting a business, writing a book, going back to school, etc.)
A. No. Although my work colleagues do seem to find it hilarious and that can be very distracting/annoying/upsetting at times.

Q. And finally, is the angst you feel about your collection generated externally, or internally? Is it something someone has told you? Are you framing your hobby -- something you love -- in the context of what OTHERS think and expect of you?
A. Difficult questions. I've had both positive and negative reactions to collecting. I'm not a person who really cares what others think of me. I've firmly accepted my flaws and my positives, and if somebody doesn't like me for it, then I can't really done anything about that. If someone didn't like me for something that wasn't true, then I would be upset about it. But overall, no, I don't think this is a feeling that has been brought on by others.

I'm actually feeling a lot better about it today. I'm going down to visit Jon & Jack in the not so distant future. I think being around my close collector friends will do me some good and help me make a decision about whether to carry on collecting or part with the collection.

Thanks everyone for all your comments, really appreciate it.



Post# 239488 , Reply# 18   7/9/2013 at 13:29 (3,915 days old) by sensotronic (Englandshire)        

I sold most of my collection in the 90's including some pretty rare machines, but I still have a lot of them on video which can be seen on my YouTube channel. I sold these through local papers, long before Ebay existed and if I had them now, I know I would have made quite a lot of money selling them to collectors. I do regret getting rid of some models, but once I started selling them and seeing the space that was created, it got kind of addicted to it and ended up getting rid of models I wasn't originally going to part with.

I seldom got my entire collection out to look at and when I did I was sick of the sight of them after a couple of days and had to pack them away. If I had kept every cleaner I had, then I would have over 400 machines which I certainly wouldn't have room for. My collection has built up a bit over the past few years, but I do sell some from time to time and I will start selling some of the newer vacs I have bought very soon. I like buying new cleaners, unboxing them, videoing them and trying them out for the first time, but now if a cleaner doesn't suit me for any reason, I sell it. For example today I was using my Morphy Richards Lift Away, (based on the Shark Navigator Lift Away) and found it much more pleasant to use than the Dyson DC25 I bought a few weeks ago. So the Dyson is going to be sold and I will continue to use the Morphy Richards from time to time.

I really wish I didn't have this urge to buy vacuum cleaners and if I could get therapy on the NHS that would help me to stop, I would do it in a heartbeat. I do enjoy vacuum cleaners and vacuuming with different models, but when it comes down to it, they are just inanimate objects that perform a household task. This is how the majority of people see them. We are all going to die one day and our vacuum cleaners will not be waiting for us in the afterlife (if you believe there is one) and someone will have to deal with your collection after you've gone. My partner jokingly (I think) says he will hire a big skip.

Chris, I don't know how many cleaners you have, but why not get rid of a few that you like the least and see how you feel? Try and trim your collection to cleaners that you enjoy using or have for sentimental reasons.
If your collection gets you down, what is the point in keeping it?

Like I said, I regret getting rid of some cleaners, but I regret other things in my life that are more important than selling some vacuum cleaners. I lost my beautiful dog Rupert four months ago at the age of four due to diabetes and I would gladly get rid of all my collection if I could just hold him again for a few minutes.

To quote Beth Nielsen Chapman, "All that matters in the end, is how we love."


CLICK HERE TO GO TO sensotronic's LINK


Post# 239491 , Reply# 19   7/9/2013 at 13:46 (3,915 days old) by whirlpolf ()        
not depressive, rather annoyed at times

I remember having trashed a 2 garages full collection of purely Vorwerk machines. I got so annoyed that "they" (the Vorwerks) started eating up more and more of my time and space (the firm kept on developing more and more of those tiny detail changes, sometimes in highly irrational patterns that I lost track of what was when and why. Setting up a database about these changes was not an option, that would have turned out to be non-paid fulltime job.

Then one day, this "holy frenzy" got hold of me and I sold major portions of the collection, for the rest I just called the bulk trash to pick them up and shred them /dump them. (They had to call for a second truck). Relief! Space!
Still today I find some bits and pieces of that old collection on Ebay and Quoka, being offered for dozens or hundreds of Euros (but being reoffered the week after that with no sale completed).
Funny: Not the rarest prototypes or salesmen's specialties were the ones that I was missing (a bit) but just the standard market models.

Today I only keep rare oddities that I find technically amusing or entertaining (all brands this time). Should one of them start collecting dust without being played with, I sell them.
Just to be on the safe side (in order to not be regretting one day) I first ban them down to the basement playing "as if gone" for 6 months. Not touched within that time? Sold.

This way I keep but some dozen of units that are really being used. All others come in, I learn about them, maybe keep photo memories on the computer (not taking up any space) and let them go again, once I have "learned them by heart".

Even the "inner core" keepers must work and serve me, my family and my friends to do jobs.
There is no more "just look, don't touch" machine in my house.
Yes, they do get scratches from that (so do I), yes they will die from that one day (so will I as well, so what?)

Back then, I was working for my vacs, now it is the other way round ;-)



Post# 239493 , Reply# 20   7/9/2013 at 14:04 (3,915 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
I DO enjoy seeing all of the different cleaners around

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my home. I TRULY enjoy enjoying them with my friends whom I invite here often. I liked so many of them as a child, that know, it;'s great to look around them and see so many of them . I just really need to store and display them properly. Long gone is the need/plan to hide them from public view. My family and friends all know about them. It certainly has invoked quite interesting discussions .To those who don't understand, appreciate them OR "ME", for that matter, can simply "Go and fry ice".

Post# 239495 , Reply# 21   7/9/2013 at 14:30 (3,915 days old) by Ultimatevacman ( Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK)        

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I've had a few surprised reactions from my friends at school about me collecting vacuums, I don't tell them, only when thy come to my house and ask "what are they doing here?" I just explain. Some of them find it weird, which if I'm honest, it is, but that's not going to stop me collecting, as I enjoy my vacuums, and I'm looking forward to my collection growing and getting bigger.

Joe


Post# 239504 , Reply# 22   7/9/2013 at 15:05 (3,915 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
I find it weird, which it is....

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Well, to quote Norman Bates from Psycho..."We all go a little mad sometimes!"
Maybe we are all mad on here, all the time! Haha.
I don't really think it should be something to dwell on, otherwise it will make you feel more depressed. You just need to think to yourself that it is your hobby and accept it and don't question it.

Alex.


Post# 239507 , Reply# 23   7/9/2013 at 15:20 (3,915 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

jmurray01's profile picture
"Well, to quote Norman Bates from Psycho..."We all go a little mad sometimes!"" Oh the amount of times I've used that excuse Alex...

Post# 239531 , Reply# 24   7/9/2013 at 18:57 (3,915 days old) by portable (Corvallis, OR)        

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Turbo 500 -

 

I think everyone has contributed excellent input about this. Matt's questions to you seem really helpful, primarily because they isolate the issue to how you relate to this hobby and to the world at large, and how you see your collecting.

 

Long ago, I made the decision to limit my collection, first because of practicality, and later because I LIKED the freedom and room that a smaller collection gave me. Much like Whirlpolf, I liked the results of having a smaller collection, and I USE what I have left of my collection. Though I admire others' collections, I would not want to be saddled with finding the space it takes to house them all. I have seen other collectors go through agony and misery when they HAD to downsize. I made the decision to keep most of my paper collection, which takes up far less room. However, I do get seized by the "bug" now and then and just can't pass up a vacuum that calls my name. Those times are far fewer than they used to be.

 

I wish you best of luck in deciding what you will do (or IF you will do anything about it). Sounds like you are feeling better about it, anyway.


Post# 239533 , Reply# 25   7/9/2013 at 19:17 (3,915 days old) by kenkart ()        
I dont give..

Two hoots what anyone thinks...but trying to move this stuff in 95 degree heat and 90 percent humidity, is about to kill me, Im not getting rid of vacuums, but I sure am considering thinning out the other stuff.

Post# 239536 , Reply# 26   7/9/2013 at 19:38 (3,915 days old) by williamr1248 (USA)        
Does Anyone Else ever get depressed about their collections?

I guess I am going to give you the other side of the story. I had collected for years and for some reason this last year I was done with it. It was a BIG job but I sold almost everything off and kept only a few.
Collecting is a very personal thing and I have never looked back and don't miss them at all. I still have the interest and sure enjoy the vac forum and the wonderful friends but I was at the place where I no longer wanted all the clutter. I enjoyed each and every one but I also enjoyed putting the money in the bank and having a clean basement. The one thing I learned very quick that I had no trouble selling the Miele's, Dysons, Rainbows, real Electrolux's but had to almost give away most of the newer Hoovers and Eureka's.



Post# 239565 , Reply# 27   7/10/2013 at 02:15 (3,915 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        

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If it helps to keep a muzzle out of your mouth, perhaps all out collecting may consequently be cheaper than a funeral. But on the other hand if it makes you want to drop the boom on yourself, then by all means rid yourself of the temptation at once. Don't be rash, nor hasty in your reasoning, for what done is done as sure as a chainsaw accident. Molder over it a while longer and just maybe the sun will be all the brighter tomorrow. You'll make it somehow, you always do. Good luck!

Post# 239570 , Reply# 28   7/10/2013 at 04:17 (3,915 days old) by mjm0424 (Chicago suburbs)        
vacuum collections

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Do you enjoy working on them,fixing the broken ones,with parts you come across? It's no different than people who collect stamps,dolls,jewelry,etc. Jay Leno has a warehouse full of classic cars.Keep them if you enjoy them.If you want to sell certain ones,sell them,& buy something else you want.I use mine in my business,& the older ones;are better than any of that plastic that they make today. I keep the repair parts in the basement,so the house isn't cluttered. Don't get rid of something because someone else's opinion. My best friend constantly tells me my basement is cluttered,my mid-century furniture,& appliances,are outdated.I tell him "you're Hyacinth,& I'm Daisy".We'll never agree on this subject,but he doesn't live here I do, & as long as I'm happy that's what matters.

Post# 239575 , Reply# 29   7/10/2013 at 05:42 (3,915 days old) by NYCWriter (New York City)        
All this being said ...

nycwriter's profile picture
... just remember this: it's a very narrow line between being a collection enthusiast and a hoarder.

My list of questions above assumes that the collection itself is not an issue, but rather how it may impact YOUR daily life.

It is entirely possible, however, for the collection to get out of hand and take over your life.

I'm sure we've all seen "Hoarders" on HGTV (or one of those cable channels). If you haven't, watch an episode or two. If you see yourself in the screen -- or even glimmers of yourself, sharing the same psychological traits -- now is the time to take a serious self-examination.

I was just having a conversation with a new guy I'm dating (***smile***). We discussed our mutual love of old things, and he accurately put a name to something that I know I've had for quite a long time: "separation anxiety".

It's when we cannot bear to part with anything because it feels too much of an extension of ourselves.

Now, I don't have collections per se, but I was starting to see myself going down a bad path. I'm a huge audio aficionado. Ebay has given me the opportunity to own the very esoteric stereo equipment of my youth that I was never able to afford when it was new. I never got too far, but at one point in my smallish 2-bedroom Brooklyn Heights apartment, I had two receivers, two amplifiers, a tuner, 2 tape decks, 6 speakers, and four turntables.

One receiver I bought back when I was only 14 years old -- brand new -- and it took me an entire summer's worth of grass cutting to save up for it. That I will never part with.

I settled on a Kenwood amp, tuner, and tape deck ... kept my circa-'90s Yamaha CD player ... and selected ONE turntable to keep (a 1967 Garrard) ... and gave everything else away to good homes.

One of the turntables was hard to part with; it had been a birthday present from my parents. It was a top-of-the-line BSR (as top of the line as BSR ever could get -- sort of like a top-of-the-line Chevrolet) that was rebadged as a "Zenith". I accidentally broke the dust cover in the back by hyper-extending the hinges (it was actually quite well-built with high-quality metal hinges, but a critical design flaw was that the metal was screwed into a weak area of the plastic). Anyway, my dad, the consummate woodworker, fixed it up by installing a thin piece of wood along the entire back end, staining it to match the rest of the cabinet, and re-installing the hinge.

To this day, I feel a slight pang of guilt for giving it away. It was a gift from my parents -- and my dad even put his own work into it. But I had no room or use for it. Should I have given it away? Probably not. But what's done is done. That was 10 years ago, and it still bothers me.

Maybe I have more of a problem in my head than I'm letting on, if such a small thing is still bothering me after a decade. But I do know this: I have a tendency to attach too much importance to things people give me; it's really a misplaced channelling of my affection for them. I feel like discarding something I've been given by someone who loves me is like throwing away a piece of THEM. It's not healthy. But the fact that I recognize it, I think, means I've got it in check.

Living in an apartment in New York precludes me from getting too far along in accumulating stuff; I have a small-ish "walk-in" closet in my back hallway (I call it more of a "step-in" than a "walk-in") that is crammed to the gills (but exceedingly organized, in those nice colored boxes from The Container Store). I don't have a basement, attic, spare room, or 3-car garage to keep stuff. Hell, I can barely keep Christmas decorations from year to year; this is why New Yorkers are so big on REAL Christmas trees (and wreaths and garland); we have nowhere to store artificial ones.

Anyway, back to "separation anxiety". I believe it's more common among single gay men than in everyone else, for obvious reasons. We all, to some degree, like to hang on to something from our past, if not as a security blanket, but for continuity's sake. Straight married people have their spouses and children to take them through their life's journey. Single guys like me ... not so much. It's just me and my kitty, alone in the world. And if that swing-arm lamp from my childhood bedroom that I'm now using in my kitchen brings me comfort and keeps me grounded, so be it.

Just a few thoughts ...


Post# 239593 , Reply# 30   7/10/2013 at 08:05 (3,915 days old) by watsonw (Newport, Shropshire, UK)        
Have I got a real problem........

Although I have a purpose built space in part of our garage fitted with cupboards and a work area I found I had to 're-org/shunt' a lot around to accommodate my luton made lux z25 box which only last week I repaired /stained/varnished (I stripped it down last May!!!)

Before the 'shunt-round' I looked at all that I had in the cupboards and I just thougth OMG!!

I started to feel light headed. Very quickly after I decided that the only vacuum cleaner goods to be acquired would be those that would improve/repair existing ones.

I to regret parting with machines in the past, but I was a younger and much different person then?

This thread has been for me: valuable, feeling, logical and reassuring!


Good luck to us all!!!


Kindest Regards,

Walter, MID SHROPSHIRE, UK.


Post# 239761 , Reply# 31   7/11/2013 at 06:41 (3,914 days old) by midcenturyfan (Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England)        

midcenturyfan's profile picture
I find that having more than one hobby helps. I collect classic cars as well as vacuum cleaners. If I get sick of one hobby for a while, then I can think about the other.

I have twelve classic cars and approximately eighty five vacuums. I think that is a good start, but there are plenty more that I would like.

One thing about being a collector is that it is not what you have that is the most interesting, it is the thing that you hope to find.

At least vacuum cleaners are not like animals. You can leave them unattended until you want to look at them again and they don't come to any harm.


Post# 239779 , Reply# 32   7/11/2013 at 11:58 (3,913 days old) by classicfan1 (Ohio, USA)        
Another possibility

You may be like me. In that I mean you want to change things up. I've collected many things over the years from pedal cars and Power Wheels, to action figures and Hot Wheels cars. Vintage coke bottles and cans, old vacuums and other appliances, etc. Every couple of years I grow tired of hunting the same stuff...I sell off most or all of it and move onto my next affair. I still like to hunt vintage items in general but I have been having a strong passion for classic bicycles and classic car parts lately.

I'm a very unfaithful collector, I cheat all the time. LOL!

Oh did I mention I had a vintage video game fetish for a very short time? Oh and tube radios?


Post# 239784 , Reply# 33   7/11/2013 at 13:33 (3,913 days old) by ultraperformer (Derbyshire, UK, Europe)        

ultraperformer's profile picture
Chris, first off I'm glad you say you're feeling better, personally when the weather is nice I can't be bothered with any of my vacuums I'd rather be outside. I still like to come on here and look what's new. My vacuums are all in the loft apart from one that I'm using daily, I think this helps as I don't have to look at them at all unless I want to, could you move yours to the loft? Come winter (shudders at the thought) I get more into it again. At least you know the money is invested in them and not blown on alcohol/drugs etc that you'll never get back maybe you could sell your least favourite vacuum and see how you feel that's what I do when I get a new one and feel that I'm amassing too many,

Post# 239846 , Reply# 34   7/11/2013 at 22:44 (3,913 days old) by vacuumman206 ()        

I have never quite been in that kind of quarry with myself, but that is mainly due to the fact that I have been lucky enough to have free storage for just over 1/2 of my 300+/- collection. Anytime I have wanted to pull my hair out over the vastness and waste of space my machines at home take up, I move a couple to storage. That said I understand your frustration. Getting rid of some/most/all will most definitely be something you regret. But even though I don't live with a similar problem, I have still had bouts with myself over the overflow of vacs in storage.
What I sometimes do when I get flustered over the mess is make it messier: spread them all out and reorganize. If you had a system of organization before, make up a new one. Who knows, it may make more space and look cleaner than the last time! You may not feel productive if everything returns to nearly the same spot it was before, but chances are you probably spent over half an hour at least doing something with them!!!



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