I come from a long line of collectors. Some of them have verged on being hoarders. There is certainly a thin line between being a hoarder and a collector. One person’s closet of trash is another person’s treasure chest.
I'm an author and an artist. I struggle with the impulse to keep everything.
The quote about home reminds me of a test I had in grad school. It was a one-word test. The word was "home." I wrote for the entire two hours. Thanks for the quote. I shall keep it. (See what I mean?)
Also, sometimes I wonder if the difference between collecting and hoarding is simply money. If you have money for display cases and labels, you're a collector. If everything has to pile up on the floor, you're a hoarder.
I'm an author and an artist. I struggle with the impulse to keep everything.
The quote about home reminds me of a test I had in grad school. It was a one-word test. The word was "home." I wrote for the entire two hours. Thanks for the quote. I shall keep it. (See what I mean?)
Also, sometimes I wonder if the difference between collecting and hoarding is simply money. If you have money for display cases and labels, you're a collector. If everything has to pile up on the floor, you're a hoarder.
What a great one-word prompt: "home." You could assign yourself that prompt each day, and you'd never write the same essay twice.
And ... good point re: collector vs. hoarder. It is sometimes a matter of class and display.
A great column, Grant!
Thanks, Thaisa
I loved this, especially the paradox. And mystical callings. Lovely. Thank you
Thanks so much, Prajna!