What Being A Packrat TRULY Represents

[Anonymous]

We've all heard the term "packrat" and know that it's not a pleasant way to describe someone. But I think a positive spin can be applied to the term to make it less offensive. Yes, I do sometimes keep things that I no longer remember the significance of. That box full of shoes laces over there?? Yeah, I don't remember why I felt it was important to keep them. I collect it all. Birthday cards, thank you letters from people I hardly speak to anymore, text messages from people that are no longer in my life, assignments I've written for school from 3 years ago...you name it. But there's a method to my madness. Life is short and we often get so carried away with getting our lives in order that we forget to truly treasure the moment. For every new chapter that begins, we need to say goodbye to something and that's not always an easy process to go through.

I'm at a crossroads in my life right now. I just finished taking my last exam at a college I've been attending for a really long time & there's a level of attachment that goes with that. I can't seem to let go of all my memories nor do I want to. Whether we like it or not, we sometimes develop attachments to people, places, and things that we know are only temporary. Saying goodbye to the place that allowed me to transition from an insecure former high school student to a college graduate is very overwhelming. For the last few days now I've been experiencing a mixture of conflicting emotions. On the one hand I'm proud of what I've accomplished and the personal growth that I've experienced, but on the other hand I'm not ready to leave this place I've come to truly love. It will always represent a special and meaningful point in my life (and one I'm scared won't ever be replaced).

When you achieve goals that you thought you weren't capable of, there's a lingering fear that you won't be able to achieve equally great things in a different place. I'm scared of failing elsewhere. I'm scared about what the future holds and I'm clinging to all the memories that this experience brought. Being a packrat is clearly not about materialistic possessions. It's about the sentimental value that we attach to people, places, and sometimes inanimate objects. People walk out of your life and it is important for me to have something to remember them by. For those of you who are like me, there's nothing wrong with keeping things that hold sentimental value. They clearly represent something meaningful to you and that's what matters. I'd much rather be a packrat than a person who goes through the motions but doesn't truly treasure the important things in life.

If something makes it to my "treasure chest" (where I keep all my sacred possessions), that means that the person who gave it to me made a lasting impression on me and is someone I am unwilling to let go of. They're never just objects. They're memories, feelings, emotions, and moments that made me feel safe and appreciated. Most importantly, when I'm at a low point in my life I can always revisit the box and find things that make me feel happy again (a security blanket if you will). Comment below about your "security blankets" that you have and what makes that object meaningful to you :) Thanks for reading MyTake and I hope it was an enjoyable read (fingers crossed!) :)

[Paris13]

Nice My Take here, dear!
However, I see no reason why one cannot be a Packrat as long as He or she is Organized. Some are and some are Not.. I have seen it on Both Sides.
I don't care for Hoarders though. I have Watched shows on them and it is Bad as bad Gets in Overall No Haul and All.
I have Pleasure Treasures that Mean a lot to me, Most that are in Storage right now. Pictures, Places I have Visited and Many other Millions of things that Mean a lot to me, even a Teddy Bear.
I always feel Bad and Sad when I see a Fire or Flood that Takes These from Others... There is Nothing worse than This sort of Damage that can Sweep away and Make one Weep away.
Good luck and Great Going. xx

[Psi_Unknown]

This is an interesting take. While I am sure some keep things for sentimental value, things can be kept for other reasons. Some books or machines won't be made again; some food, clothing, fuel, material, or resource shortages happen, and you don't want to be caught without when you could have prepared or stored away for tough times. Anyway, how can all those objects have so much sentimental value if you barely know you have them, remember them, or have so many you barely look at those specific things anyway? Not everyone has to have many possessions to cherish a few...

[myTake Owner]

Thank you! :) I just think I take it too far because the things I've forgotten about are from my childhood (and obviously I can't remember that far back lol) :) I understand what you mean though :) I honestly prefer VCRs to DVD players & think they're great because not many people have them anymore. Do you have any objects that are meaningful to you? :)

[Psi_Unknown]

Of course I have, in terms of using or having with proximity, not necessarily or technically owning, objects that are meaningful to me! Perhaps you were smart enough to already know that, and wish to ask some of which possessions are meaningful to me? Some video games I really enjoy playing but are unable to at the moment. Some books I enjoy referencing more than others, like this classical thesaursus I borrowed from a family member's cabinet. (They probably would neither notice it missing nor even care that it was. The funny part is that I keep it on the most noticeable part of my desktop, and they should have noticed or said something since it can be seen every time they enter and exit the room.) Things that are somewhat meaningful, but can't be easily accessed, if I recall correctly, include a Brunswick pool table, an ivory-keyed piano, and some old motherboards. Probably more valuable for rarity than anything else. Those things are fun to play and remember some times!

[Psi_Unknown]

Still, it is good to be able to let stuff go if too much is accumulating. Clothes that do not fit should be sold, given away, or repurposed. (Sometimes I use them like cushions.) Items that are not used, have little potential to be used, and have no meaning really just take up space and room to move or do things. One can see the same problems in one's mentality, physical world, and even the digital one with digital hoarders manifesting some aspects of this problem. Throwing away emails scares or bothers some people.

[myTake Owner]

I like that you see things differently than I do lol :) I can see what you mean that sometimes objects just take up space but at the same time I believe that they give your house character. I had a friend give me a jar filled with inspirational quotes and I honestly still have it because it's perfect for a bad day. Whenever I'm in a really bad headspace (feeling depressed, discouraged, sad, etc) I like pulling out an inspirational quote and it just cheers me up lol :) Some people might see that as I waste of space but I think it serves a special purpose and it's really cute ahaha :P I'm just curious if you appreciate store bought gifts or something homemade? :) & thanks for answering my nosy questions aahah :)

[Psi_Unknown]

Lol, those questions can be nosy, and there is risk in saying some of those things. Consider the information I shared a gift. (I doubt people would break into a house to get all the way through to carry out a piano or something, but people are crazy!) To be honest, I don't care much for material things these days, especially cheap, plentiful junk. As I have said before elsewhere, homemade things show you care, but may not be worth the effort, as the objects just sit on a shelf, or in the case of food, get eaten rather quickly. The philosophy of less is more is how I feel at this stage of my life. Why have so many things when one could have so much less, be free of worry and debt, have room to grow, and have an easier time maintaining what one has? (I have no idea how people keep their places clean when cleaning around so many tinkets...)

[Psi_Unknown]

Forgot to add, you have a unique way of eliciting responses! There are some inspirational quotes out there. You feel things inside give a house character? To some degree that makes sense. Houses can have character on there own, and when people are there, they too have their own character. What else interests you? I would add you as a friend (or follow on this site), but you are anon. We might have to take this converation elsewhere before butchering this thread!

[myTake Owner]

Oh wow thank you! :) I promise I won't use your information against you! I actually think you have a lot of insightful responses (just ones I've never considered before) lol :P I'll message you because I always seem to get in trouble when I reveal my identity (which is why I always go anonymous) lol :)

[oddwaffle]

A memento is just an object. It sounds nice but in the end the thing that really matter is the memory. The object reminds you of that memory but the object itself is worthless. As long as you remember then keeping or losing the object will not matter at all.

I tend to let clutter gather and do a clean up and throw everything I haven't been using for over 1 year out. You need what you need, you don't need what you want.

[myTake Owner]

I agree that in the ends it's just an object. It's the sentimental value that I can't seem to let go of, lol :) Interesting observation & thanks for reading MyTake :)

[Spiorad_Aisce]

I am the exact opposite - I keep hardly anything - My house is very bare to look at, I just keep what I really think I absolutely need.

[myTake Owner]

I need a little bit of that to rub off on me lol :P How do you do? Nothing's worth holding on to? :)

[Spiorad_Aisce]

I think it is your personality - As long as it doesn't interfere with anything no harm in doing it

[myTake Owner]

No, just keeps my room a little messy sometimes ahaha :)

[TadCurious]

I know that feeling you have about leaving school after having completed it. I'm glad you have your box. :)

[myTake Owner]

Aww, thank you :) This was inspired by all the people telling me to get rid of my boxes of stuff lol :P