"Editing" your collections

[dannahbanana]

Have you ever watched RuPaul's Drag Race and the queens are asked to "edit" their looks because it's just too much and over the top? I feel like I am at that point with my collections.

I want to focus more on MLP. However, I also collect a number of other things: Angel Pockets (Japanese Polly Pocket), Popples, Rainbow Brite, Gloomy Bears, Pound Puppies, Littlest Pet Shop, and other small random collections.

I need more space, but I am extremely reluctant to bid farewell to some of my other collections. I have come close to selling my Gloomy Bear and Rainbow Brite collections, since they are the ones that I have the least amount of a personal connection to. However, the Marie Kondo approach doesn't work, because I feel joy from all these things, just some illicit more joy than others (MLP and my Angel Pockets, for example, probably bring me the most joy).

I have effectively limited my LPS collection by only keeping my childhood pieces and selling most others. I have tried just collecting the sprites for Rainbow Brite and considered selling the dolls but haven't yet pulled the plug. It's hard to sell things that you worked very hard on gathering, especially if these things are near-complete or in great condition.

So, in a nutshell, I want to downsize, but I don't know where or how to start. The Marie Kondo approach doesn't work for me, and I am afraid I'll feel regret. However, I'll feel some relief to have more free space and more cash. What would you do?

 

[Tak]

I downsized my collection several years ago. I took a couple months to decide which ponies made me happiest, which I really still wanted, etc. I made my daughter do the same with her many collections this year. I ended up with my blossom army and only collecting purple ponies in general. Purple g1, slh in box g3, g2 babies and a few special adults, the g4 are my daughter’s collection from childhood. I kept all my customs, too. I would suggest taking a bit of time to just look at your collections. Which make you feel, as I put it, sparkly inside, and which do you just have to have the collection? I basically kept what my heart just couldn’t let go, what I would be sad to part with. Everything else went.

 

[AzaleaArt]

Have you ever watched RuPaul's Drag Race and the queens are asked to "edit" their looks because it's just too much and over the top? I feel like I am at that point with my collections.

I want to focus more on MLP. However, I also collect a number of other things: Angel Pockets (Japanese Polly Pocket), Popples, Rainbow Brite, Gloomy Bears, Pound Puppies, Littlest Pet Shop, and other small random collections.

I need more space, but I am extremely reluctant to bid farewell to some of my other collections. I have come close to selling my Gloomy Bear and Rainbow Brite collections, since they are the ones that I have the least amount of a personal connection to. However, the Marie Kondo approach doesn't work, because I feel joy from all these things, just some illicit more joy than others (MLP and my Angel Pockets, for example, probably bring me the most joy).

I have effectively limited my LPS collection by only keeping my childhood pieces and selling most others. I have tried just collecting the sprites for Rainbow Brite and considered selling the dolls but haven't yet pulled the plug. It's hard to sell things that you worked very hard on gathering, especially if these things are near-complete or in great condition.

So, in a nutshell, I want to downsize, but I don't know where or how to start. The Marie Kondo approach doesn't work for me, and I am afraid I'll feel regret. However, I'll feel some relief to have more free space and more cash. What would you do?

I am the type of person who never gets rid of anything she collects haha (even if I get one in better condition or something I’ll still keep the original). But what I would do is pick a spot in your house that you see a lot, such as a bedside table or coffee table and every day or two put a different pony there. So each day there’s just one pony. Then you’ll see which ones make you happier to look at those would be the ones I’d keep.
Also I’d never heard of angel pocket, that’s cool there’s a Japanese version, do they look very different than the regular Polly pockets?

 

[Gingerbread]

I'm a terrible person to help you with this LOL I don't get rid of anything until I have no question left as to wanting to keep it or not. Even if that means packing it away for now. I have gotten rid of some things over the years and then ended up regretting it later and having to spend more to get it again (or just not rebuying it and being grumpy with myself).
I have a few different things I collect and I don't have the space for all of it but I'm not ready to let it all go and I hope and have some plans that may free up more space in the future so several things are packed away awaiting their day. But I've regretted it too many times to let stuff go until I'm sure I'm okay with it. Especially if it's something from the 80's or 90's as they can be getting harder, and pricier to replace if you change your mind.

 

[nessa16]

I am doing this right now with my Monster High collection. I am slowly weeding out those that I don’t appreciate as much. I find putting those away or taking them down awhile helps. I feel like I just have too many and don’t feel as attached to some of them anymore. I am even considering selling some playsets. It’s definitely a process and I have to take breaks because it overwhelms me to the point of almost feeling all or nothing in keeping or getting rid of everything.

 

[dannahbanana]

I am the type of person who never gets rid of anything she collects haha (even if I get one in better condition or something I’ll still keep the original). But what I would do is pick a spot in your house that you see a lot, such as a bedside table or coffee table and every day or two put a different pony there. So each day there’s just one pony. Then you’ll see which ones make you happier to look at those would be the ones I’d keep.
Also I’d never heard of angel pocket, that’s cool there’s a Japanese version, do they look very different than the regular Polly pockets?

That's a great idea!

And yes, the Japanese Angel Pockets come in different color variations than Polly Pockets, and the faces of the dolls are a bit different. While Polly's have eyelashes, Angel Pocket dolls just have simpler eyes that are two ovals. I just think the faces are cuter than the Polly's.

 

[Sassarazzmadazzles]

I watched hoarders and i was seeing msyelf in those people with things that they said and with that, i was like.. NOPE, I am not being like them.

thats what sparked my cleaning frenzy

 

[AzaleaArt]

That's a great idea!

And yes, the Japanese Angel Pockets come in different color variations than Polly Pockets, and the faces of the dolls are a bit different. While Polly's have eyelashes, Angel Pocket dolls just have simpler eyes that are two ovals. I just think the faces are cuter than the Polly's.

Thanks
Oh cool and it sounds like they’d still fit in each other’s compacts so you could play with them together, nice! Aww I googled a pic and they look so smiley!

 

[Cozytoyhoard]

Do you have space to store your other collections? I would do that before getting rid of things. You can set up one rotating display section for your non-MLP collections. That way can still enjoy them and have space for future MLP. (You may also find it easier to let some things go after not seeing them for awhile.)

Another option may be to invest in ways to maximize displays. More efficient shelving with risers, getting rid of other non-collection things you no longer enjoy/need, etc. The Konmari method isn't about minimalism. It's about our relationship with our things and how to make it a positive one.