Cutting down my collection

[fan-of-fans]

I started getting into collecting vacuums around 2011. I had acquired about 11 or 12 in that time. It doesn't seem like all that much but considering most of them are in my room and closet it was a lot. That combined with my OCD tendency to keep obtaining other things in general as well led to what I consider a hoarder mentality.

I've been working over the last month to get things cleaned out. Four bags of clothes have gone to Goodwill and some things have been donated to Habitat. just threw out some things today and got the trunk of my car full of more donations.

It has not been easy. There were memories and emotions tied to many of the things I got rid of. But I finally reached the point where it was causing me too much stress and I just found there was no reason to keep all this stuff. I was getting no joy from it, only worry and frustration. The stuff was getting in the way of life.

I'm planning not to get any more vacuums at this point and will probably cut my collection down by half. If I do get any more vacs it will be a model I'm really on the lookout for.

Really, I just want a small collection of vacuums I can realistically use. I don't need so many that I'll never use them. The problem is I was having multiples of things I don't need. To me that's clutter and makes it hard to clean, plus it all collects dust and requires dusting off.

I have a long way to go but I'm getting there. At least I'm in the right mindset now, and actually doing something rather than nothing about the issue is empowering.

It's more fun to actually be able to have floor space to vacuum and find the vacuums and things you have. I had so much stuff I'd forget where things were or forget i even had them.

 

[cmbcool01]

Firstly congratulations on cleaning up sometimes it can be hard to let things go i think everyone struggles with that at some point, and i too as I've gotten more into this still keep in check because I don't want to go crazy with it, luckily i have family members whose vacuums i can borrow when I'm wanting to try something

I have a Kirby Diamond, a Hoover Windtunnel Self-propelled, and a really old crappy but gets the job done hoover steamvav and really outside of a concept one there's nothing else I'm really looking to get at the moment so i think it comes down to get what you really want not just whatever you see

Well anyway congratulations again and i wish you good luck

 

[huskyvacs]

It sounds like you are on the right path. Get rid of redundant things first, that's the easiest to decide on. Then over time you will figure out what else can really be gotten rid of without stressing over it.

I still keep a lot of things, as I have several other collections other than vacuums, but I just focus my collections more now, and keep what I really care about. I sell the rest of the stuff that's accumulated in my garage on eBay or donate it if it doesn't sell. Then I can have a lot more room and be able to see my collections without having them shoved away in a box and hidden in clutter.

I know it does get stressful on how to display and admire it in your house so that you can enjoy having it without the anxiety it entails. Especially with larger collections like vacuums.

I think the best analogy is to think of whatever collection you may be active in like a bonsai tree. It grows slowly and you have to take care of it each day so that it can become beautiful - but also prune it a tiny bit every now and then so it stays small and manageable without taking over the space given to it.

But just remember, you are in control of your own life, not the TV or people around you, so it's only just yourself who can decide what you want to do, and I think that is the best way to overcome it. Good luck!

 

[fan-of-fans]

At one time my dream was a room with a vacuum display. I wanted one of everything a Kirby, Rainbow, Electrolux, the classic Hoovers, Eurekas, etc.

Then I realized that wasn't what I needed or wanted.

I think my problem like a lot of us who start collecting was I'd just see a vacuum on here and find one and buy it. Then I realized I didn't really need it. And I bought some vacuums that really needed work and weren't worth fixing up.

Now I'm slimming down to certain kinds of vacuums. I'm keeping my vintage metal Hoovers like my Slimline and Constellation. I'd like to have a Convertible but even though a few have turned up this year after a long time, I haven't yet. I'd also like an Air Revolve, a self Propelled Windtunnel. I'm telling myself though that I really don't, because I won't use them.

One day I'd like a Kirby as well, but those take up quite a bit of space with their attachment kits, and again will I ever use it?

So I'm mostly keeping vacuums that are either very unique like Constellation, Bissell Lift Off, or are machines I really like such as my Kenmore Progressive TOL upright and canister, Home Cleaning System, etc.

I collect lighting and fans as well, so those take up space too. Not as big as vacuums though. I can pack my lighting into storage bins, but then I forget all about it. lol

eBay was another problem for me. Once I got credit cards, I could order anything I wanted, and I'm trying to curb that also, unless it's just small items.

 

[human]

Yes, getting rid of stuff you've collected is hard. A couple of years ago, I started accumulating electrical test equipment, mainly volt ohm meters (aka multimeters or multitesters) and a couple of months ago, I came to the startling realization that I had fifty of them!!! I decided a good start would be to put half of them up for sale on eBay and I've sold most of those but I still have too many and I'm getting ready to list some more. Of course, the decisions get harder the more I sell. My ultimate goal would be to keep maybe a dozen. Meanwhile, I'm also selling off my late father's toy collection, mostly Lionel electric trains, model cars and associated accessories. He never could bring himself to liquidate the collection and so my brother-in-law and I both listing stuff. It's tough to keep up the momentum, especially while working at a full time job. Retirement for me is still a little over a decade away and I'm seeing that selling this junk off is going to end up being a giant retirement project.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

It's like, one day you look at it all and say,

"How? When? Why?......... I know I have MULTIPLES of certain things. Some have gone to other people. Some, I've kept, because I like them, and want them. I only collect anything from The Hoover Company. Other "species" have managed to arrive here. I think almost ALL of them have now moved on.
There's a plan, I believe, for the convention to come to my hometown in a while. THAT, hopefully, will be the premiere opportunity to see the right things go. There really aren't many "must haves" on my list. But, then, again, something might pop up. You never know.
I AM working on preparing the HOOVER Gallery. The end of summer is my goal.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Well it's been six months since I made this thread, and well, not much happened after that as far as getting rid of stuff.

But now I have several days off for the holidays and once again I am at it. More stuff is going to Habitat and Goodwill tomorrow. I finally decided after moving stuff to clean both under and around it as well as the items themselves I have no need for this stuff. So out it is going.

The clutter to me just causes anxiety and leads to a cluttered mind. That's where I am right now, so time to let it go.

 

[kirbyklekter]

Good luck to you

I think you are going to succeed at this, I've read your posts for some time now. Almost always I see you saying things like, "I had to pass on it, there's just no more room." You're not in denial, you're always aware of current available real estate and like me you've paired down what you do buy. I'm holding the line at 50, and really If I reduced all the duplicates to one each,that would drop the count to around 30. I don't actively go looking for vacuums anymore, but I do know that if I see a rare one or a Kirby put out on the curb or destined for the land fill I will take it and re-home it. My friend says that I've become a vacuum sanctuary where abused and neglected vacuums come to live out their remaining lives in relative comfort! I'm wondering if and how many collectors with large inventory or small have given thought to what they would like to see happen with their collections should God forbid anything unexpected take them before they had time to parcel them out. Like to other collectors or museums and the like. You never know . Family may not know or even care about what to do with your collection and what a waste for all those years and the money spent to be scraped or whatever. So anyway, I hope you meet your goals this holiday season and have a Happy New Year! Billy

 

[kirbyklekter]

Good luck to you

I think you are going to succeed at this, I've read your posts for some time now. Almost always I see you saying things like, "I had to pass on it, there's just no more room." You're not in denial, you're always aware of current available real estate and like me you've paired down what you do buy. I'm holding the line at 50, and really If I reduced all the duplicates to one each,that would drop the count to around 30. I don't actively go looking for vacuums anymore, but I do know that if I see a rare one or a Kirby put out on the curb or destined for the land fill I will take it and re-home it. My friend says that I've become a vacuum sanctuary where abused and neglected vacuums come to live out their remaining lives in relative comfort! I'm wondering if and how many collectors with large inventory or small have given thought to what they would like to see happen with their collections should God forbid anything unexpected take them before they had time to parcel them out. Like to other collectors or museums and the like. You never know . Family may not know or even care about what to do with your collection and what a waste for all those years and the money spent to be scraped or whatever. So anyway, I hope you meet your goals this holiday season and have a Happy New Year! Billy

 

[gregvacs28]

It can be difficult at times.  We get entrenched with some thing and we just stay stuck.  I've seen it and I've done it.  


It can be just small things that we later look back at and say 'why did it seem so difficult to change that light bulb?' or something similar.


 


 

 

[gdc76]

decluttering

I'm praying for you fan-of-fans, I think you are going to make it. To me, nothing feels as good as coming home to my clean house with everything in order. Kirbyklecter, you are very sweet to be so caring. And you are correct about what happens to your stuff when you are gone. I see it all the time, the kids don't know the value of anything nor do they want it. If I were to tell my children they could have my beautiful walnut dining set, they wouldn't want it. They don't want anything that requires maintenance. They would rather have IKEA. This is a throw away society. The best thing to do with your stuff is to sell it while you are living to people who really want it! Let us know how it goes.

Geraldine

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Geraldine

You are so right.
A lot of people want "new, sleek, etc".
I've made it very clear what to do with my collection................ HOW to liquidate it, etc.
I told Tom, (Ohio), if he gets a "call"........... he'll know exactly how to help my heirs.
As far as the house, or, "palace", as some others have called it, there are things people have already "asked for". I tell them, "Sadly, for you, I feel fine". lol

 

[fan-of-fans]

Wow, can't believe this has been over a year since I started. I'm on vacation this week, so I've been doing more "clean out". I took a trunk load of stuff to Habitat, including a vacuum that was mostly just a parts machine. Threw away another junky vacuum, and cleaned out some other stuff.

I cleaned up an upright that's been on the list. Came out nice! And mostly been reorganizing the rest.

I've gotten good lately at not getting more vacuums, so I'll probably try to stick with what I have now unless something really desirable shows up.

So I'm making progress but it's still slow going. Currently 12 vacuums in the collection... 4 are no longer here. Can't really slim it down more than that, most of the remaining machines are ones I use regularly or are vintage ones I plan to keep/use.

If this virus gets out of the way and the economy is still stable/gets better I'd like to get a house, and at that point the amount of stuff I have won't seem so much. BUT I don't plan to acquire more after that and would probably be selective about what goes into the house and what goes, if/when I move.

 

[superocd]

I'm at eight vacuums so far...

Luckily I have room to tuck them away (most are in a closet under the stairs, the only one out in the open is my Dual Sanitronic 50, which sits proudly in the foyer in its gleaming glory) but my wife does not fully understand my eccentric side, which is a desire to collect and restore vintage household appliances and computers. I have eleven vintage PCs in my collection -- from 286 to Pentium 4, all on a baker's rack in my office, next to my desk -- most are connected to a couple KVM switches. I have a couple vintage small kitchen appliances, hidden away on a shelf in the pantry and a couple of vintage fans, all restored to like new condition. Lucky for me, the COVID pandemic has preemptively curbed my thrift store ventures but I'm afraid that as soon as everything gets back to normal, I'm going to be searching for my dream machines (and not just vacuums) yet to be found. As far as vacuums go, I'd love a pre-516 Kirby (a Model C would be swell), a Classic/Classic Omega and an older F&G Eureka (my only "Eureka" is my 2016 Sanitaire SC886) or two, then I may call it quits on vacuum acquisitions. Or so I think.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Yep, there's always more to be found. There are machines that if they turned up in a thrift store, or garage sale, even trash, etc, I'd pick them up. But since the virus came and we were locked down, it kind of changed my thinking to "less is more" and it felt nice to get rid of some stuff.

I got rid of some of the vacuums that I had that needed too much work or were in too poor condition to fix.

So now that those are out of the way I've gotten my other project machines mostly fixed up. Just on the lookout for missing attachments, etc.

It's nice to have most of the projects finally cleaned up though, some it took 8 years!

Kind of planning to do the same thing with my fan collection. I have a lot of fans that are more good for parts than restoring, or just not interested in having after I got them. So I'm probably going to start taking a lot of those to the fan meet to give away/sell, and paring that collection down more and more as well...

 

[disferding]

Thread Number: 38654

Dear fan-of fans,
I desperately need a Fantom Power Head. Would you have one or know where I might obtain one?
Disferding

 

[justjunque]

Cole,

Somehow, I guess I missed this thread when it started.
Glad to hear you're still making progress. God bless you!
I need to do the same thing, so I know how difficult it can be. I have intense emotional attachment to everything in my collection/hoard. Last summer, I sold a car that I used to drive to cruise nights once in a while. I hadn't been doing anything with it for a few years, and it was starting to deteriorate. Instead of just watching it rot, I decided to let it go. It was not easy. And, I haven't parted with a single thing since then.
I know I have to, eventually. But it's gotten to the point of being overwhelming, and I don't have a clue where to start. I'd love to be able to look around and see a well organized house. I know what you mean about the clutter causing stress! I just can't seem to designate things as "not needed". I always feel like I'll use it eventually, when my circumstances are different. And, if I get rid of it now, I'll have to go out and buy it again when I'm ready to use it. And that's if I can find another one! We're talking vintage things here.
Since you've been making slow but steady progress for a while now, just try to keep it up.
Best of luck to you!

Barry

 

[fan-of-fans]

Sorry Donny, I don't have any. I'll keep a look out for you, but I don't think I've ever seen a power nozzle for one. Fantoms are pretty rare around here. There was a Kenmore branded Lightning at Goodwill awhile ago but no power nozzle with it.

Thanks Barry. I know how you feel. Even though I collect a lot of newer stuff, I'm trying to be more picky with what I buy or take home. But that makes it even harder to get rid of stuff.

I think if I had a house, what I have wouldn't seem like much at all in the grand scheme of things. It's just a matter of storing it. But I'd have to be careful not to get more! I've been doing well lately and not buying things just because I see them.