Collecting is a natural, and even VALUABLE, human instinct. It comes in many shapes and sizes, but we all have this instinct in one way or another. Out of control or “compulsive collecting” and it’s partner, "compulsive saving”, are what is referred to by the term "hoarding."
Personally, I feel that the word "hoarding" is a very unfortunate label for this behavior. Hoarding is such an ugly word. Why would anyone want to think of themselves as a “hoarder” when the actual behavior looks like “collecting” AND we as a society actually celebrate and marvel at collections?
Collecting crosses all cultures, borders and languages. Every society honors and celebrates “collections” of things that are displayed in a way that educates, serves some kind of purpose, or inspires awe. The obvious example is museums. Others include libraries, stores, even magazines and blogs. They are all collections of things, ideas, photos, etc. Even our closets, drawers, and filing systems are collections.
If you have been wondering if your collections might be a sign of problem, check out the article on "Collecting vs. Hoarding" I wrote for my friend Deb Lee's blog!
All the best,
Read Full Article: Top 10 Signs
