Is it collecting or hoarding?

The television show, Hoarders, is debuting a new season next week and even their commercials have people talking. Hoarding is a very complicated issue, one that is more about an emotional response to items than it is a response to a need or want.

Collecting can be an exciting hobby. It's fantastic to finally get the hockey card, or the plate, or the coin that completes the collection. It's like a puzzle. Having all the pieces that were meant to be together, actually together, is a gratifying emotional situation.

The unfortunate part with collecting, is that your collection may only be valuable to you. Hockey cards, coins, vases, golf balls, pickle jars, boards games and such may never have a future value. Certainly not future value that would enable you to retire rich. It's like the lotto really. Maybe 1 in 5 million.

But lets say the collection is worth something... $100 or maybe even $1000. You still have to find a buyer for it. "Worth" is only truly determined when a buyer and seller can come to an agreed upon point of sale. Hopefully, it's a point where each feels that they "got a good deal."

At some point we all need to determine if what we are saving is COSTING us too much. Does holding onto it cause you stress or anxiety?  Are you losing sleep, friends or even money over it? Are you using your money to add to your collection, rather than pay your bills, buy groceries or enjoy your free time?

If you are answering yes, your collection may be a problem. If you are collecting things so you can have them ALL, or to keep other people from having them, that's a problem too. If you are saving things constantly for other people... but never actually give them to people, you need to make changes.

If your collection doesn't take away from anything else in your life... perfect. It's a great hobby that brings you happiness. If your collection causes concern for your friends and family, or takes away from the things you truly NEED to succeed (housing, food, clean environment, friends) then it's time to ask for help.

Help can come in many forms. Turn on some music and resolve that today is the day to help yourself. Help can be turning to a counsellor or pastor. Help can be a professional organizing service. But know that there is no magic wand, no one hour made-for-tv solution. It's all about a shift in attitude and enthusiasm for making a change.  Collecting should never, ever, cost you your health or your happiness.