Who's up for some organizing?

I've been fascinated lately by the blow back about Marie Kondo's Netflix show (largely, I suspect, by people who haven't watched it or otherwise familiarized themselves with her method).  If you've been following the blog, it will come as no surprise that I am a fan of the idea of going through your possessions and deciding to keep only those things you really want/need, and organizing what you keep in a way that you can use and enjoy it.

What I find particularly fascinating is how people have such a visceral reaction to the idea of going through their possessions with an eye to getting rid of things.  A meme about being allowed to  keep only 30 books recently garnered a lot of negative comments on my Facebook wall because the idea of getting rid of beloved possessions causes people to lose their minds (also, this was never actually said in the show, and actually goes against the Konmari method).  It highlights to me just how attached we get to our possessions.

Collectors, of course, know this.  Love of items is why we're collectors.  But, as I've said time and again, it is important to look at the pieces of your collection from time to time to make sure that they still bring you joy.  What is the point of having an entire shelf / closet / room for your collection if you don't actually enjoy what you have there?

It can be overwhelming to think about sorting through your items.  It's important to find a way to do it that works for you.  Maybe you focus on one shelf at a time, or one type of item (figures today, plushies tomorrow, merchandise next week).  I tend to focus on one area of the Geek Cave at a time (today I organize the closet!), and that's what works for me.

Also, for collectors especially, I think we are often judged for the number of possessions we have.  The point of curating your collection or using the Konmari method on your house is not to get rid of all your possessions, but rather to identify what you actually don't feel you need/want anymore.  It is important to remember that there is nothing wrong with having a lot of physical items that bring you joy...in principle.  If your bills are paid, you're putting food on the table, and you're enjoying your life for the most part, then it doesn't hurt that you also spend an afternoon each week visiting 700+ My Little Ponies.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go fold MLP shirts.

Elf