Jewels or Junk. What is intentional collecting?

Author and Celtic scholar Hector Urquhart wrote in 1860 that “one man’s rubbish/junk may be another’s treasure”. Fast forward to current times.

Many people have an assortment of personal items that have special meaning to them, whether that be because they were passed down to them or because of some other emotional connection. Sentimentality is a big reason why many people collect, as the objects they acquire may remind them of family/whānau members and/or special memories. This could be called ‘intentional collecting.’

A collection can offer life-support over time, a means of trading, a basis for belonging and community, communication enhancement, a stockpile of wealth and a mechanism for self-identity.

There has also been the long-held tradition of ‘handing down’ items from generation to generation. Such as silver and antique dinner sets. Nostalgia and the link between items that have value—be it emotional or financial or otherwise. 

Downsizing vs Upsizing

Downsizing to a more manageable space often means less time spent on household chores and more time for recreation and leisure. Additionally, smaller homes are often designed with accessibility in mind, making them suitable for individuals looking to ‘age in place’ or accommodate specific mobility needs.

‘Ageing in place’

The concept of ‘ageing in place’ was defined by the United States Centre for Disease Control as: “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level”.

In making the choice to part with possessions to allow living in a smaller place has prompted some to seek help from ‘decluttering’ or downsizing specialists.  Sparking a relatively new set of companies and individuals who offer assistance with decluttering.

Fear of Letting Go

The apprehension of parting with items is a significant contributor to clutter. Such fear might arise from worries about future needs, guilt over unused resources, or anxiety about losing memories attached to possessions. This is where the best laid plans can start to unravel.

A Japanese company specialising in the Zen like art of ‘decluttering’ has taken over the agenda and propelled founder Marie Kondo into a ‘get rid of it gracefully’ superstar. Her methodology is known as the KonMari method.

Founder Marie explains. “It is a simple but effective tidying method, ensuring you will never again relapse to clutter. It uses a unique selection criterion, choosing what ‘sparks joy’. You are not choosing what to discard but rather choose to keep only the items that ‘speak to your heart’. Through tidying you can reset your life and spend the rest of your life surrounded by people and things that you love the most.” 

Most tidying methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which can result in prolonged periods where you pick away at your piles of ‘stuff’, maybe forever.

In contrast Kondo’s method encourages tidying by category – not by location – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items.

“Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. Thank them for their service – then let them go.” (Kondo)

People around the world have been drawn to this philosophy not only because of its effectiveness, but also because it places great importance on being mindful, introspective and forward-looking. Tidying is a powerful tool, but it’s not the destination. The true goal of tidying is to clear away clutter so you can live the life you want.

“When you reassess your belongings and organize your home, you set the stage for a huge transformation. This is the magic of tidying!”

Marie Kondo's six basic rules of tidying

• Commit yourself to tidying up.
• Imagine your ideal lifestyle.
• Finish discarding first.
• Tidy by category, not by location.
• Follow the right order.
• Ask yourself if it 'sparks joy.'

Eight common downsizing mistakes and how to avoid them

• Downsizing when you don't have to (yet). Timing is everything.
• Downsizing without a master plan.
• Failing to consider your lifestyle.
• Putting it off.
• Throwing it all away.
• Giving in to help that isn't helpful.
• Working on the whole house at one time.
• Only seeing the loss instead of the gain.

For most people who hold onto things it is not an overwhelming problem. For some it may spill over into clutter, which for safety reasons as we age, we need to declutter to reduce the hazards from tripping and/or falling and the injuries thereof.  

The normal ageing process from 65+ years means our bodies are not as ‘elastic’ as when we were younger, ‘we don’t bounce when we fall’, instead we fall hard and injure ourselves more easily – a fit healthy 70 year old who falls off their bike and breaks some bones is unlikely to return to their pre-fall state of health, whereas a fit healthy 30 year old who has the same accident and sustains the same injuries is likely to fully recover.

For a small number of people their collecting and clutter is beyond their self-control, their symptoms may fit within the mental health condition defined and diagnosed as ‘hoarding disorder’. Extreme hoarding can result in contamination in their home, due to decaying food etc, which attracts rodents – at a certain stage this may be a diagnosable condition defined as ‘hoarding and squalor’. An accompanying Article titled ‘The realities of hoarding disorder’, identifies that hoarding disorder is a defined mental health condition which is commonly misunderstood -read this Article at www.selwynfoundation.org.nz/informing/information-about-ageing/the-realities-of-hoarding-disorder

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Published:  September 2024

To be reviewed: August 2027