• RGG Home
  • About
  • Before & After
  • Services
  • Contact

Raleigh Green Gables

Organize Your Life

Dear Collector of Things

March 2, 2018



A lot of people have “prized” collections of something.

But when we dig in, it turns out they have like 500 in their “prized” collection of pigs, owls, horses — and all types: metal horses, stuffed horses, glass horses, horse plates, and horse sweatshirts.

And it’s all their favorite.

But it’s impossible to love 500 things. You can’t even remember 450 of those things, so how can you love them?

And typically, this isn’t their only collection. They also collect stamps, books, National Geographics, candles, quilts and pictures of pianos.

Today, I am writing to invite you to stop collecting. Once you reach 500 things in your collection, it’s no longer a hobby, it’s an addiction.

Now, if you collect Monets and Chagalls, fine. They may actually appreciate. But most people collect junk.

And then they think one day they will sell their collection for millions of dollars. (See Beanie Babies.)

Please repeat after me: STUFF DOES NOT APPRECIATE. Even your jewelry will not fetch what you think it will. The appraisal and what it will sell for are two different prices.

Now if you have hundreds of rare books, and they bring you joy, keep them. It’s just that one “collection” tends to be a slippery slope and leads to another — “I must collect books AND birds!”

Your home is not a museum, says Fumio Sasaki, author of “Goodbye Things.” (Hat tip to Shannon Fields for this. She read the book.)

It’s time to do some inner work to fill your emotional holes. Collecting more stuff will fill up your house, but it won’t satisfy your soul.

Filed Under: Because I Said So

(919) 623-1160

raleighgreengables@gmail.com

Leah Friedman
Hello!
I'm a professional organizer in Raleigh, North Carolina, helping people declutter their homes and work spaces.

Testimonials

Leah Friedman turned a wretched job into fun! It’s true. She even had me laughing. She is worth every penny. We plowed through two closets. They are now nicely organized, and I know where to find my clothes. I even know what I own. Leah hauled about six bags of give-aways to Interact. I heartily recommend Leah. She gets the job done! She a combo of firm, gentle and fun. Just what I needed.
Judith TillmanRaleigh
I love the way my master closet looks, and my husband is very happy, too. Thank you so much for helping me through the whole process. I still can’t believe how much work we got done.
BeckyDurham
After working with Leah Friedman, the room looked and felt calm, rather than chaotic. When I am overwhelmed again, I will certainly hire her expertise and energy. What an investment in order, calm and piece of mind!  
Lucy KeenanRaleigh
Leah helped me to organize several spaces in my home that have been on my “to do” list for years. She arrived on time, ready to tackle the projects, and made something I dreaded doing lots of fun! She never judges, is always encouraging and gets the job done in a reasonable amount of time. I highly recommend her!
Anne ShermanChapel Hill

Blogs RGG follows

  • Carolina Parent
  • Furbish Studio
  • Garden With Confidence
  • Honey and Fitz
  • Kindness Girl
  • Knick Knack Antiques
  • Ornamentea
  • Pretty Handy Girl
  • Sew Liberated
  • The Chicken Chick
  • The Style Bungalow
  • Young House Love
Raleigh Green Gables, llc
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Before & After
  • Contact
  • raleighgreengables@gmail.com