From the workbench of the esteemed Horati0nosebl0wer
Mental floss and deep cleaning the cranium
I’ve returned home after spending a month with my father and helping him clear out decades of collected stuff in his home. I feel gross in my own collection of things and I am moved to reconsider my minis. In looking at helping my dad I looked up why he might’ve gained so much. It could be rooted in the sense of not having enough. As a mirror for myself I think that might be true. I have not felt I have enough finished painted figures. I collect more with the aim of having that. I sabotage my own goal of getting done with getting more. I have enough figures to paint and give away without issue. I do not need more unfinished projects that will sit, collect dust and stand by as I feel guilty in not getting them painted for play or display.
It has been a moment of reflection to see where I come from and the emotional attachment which keeps things around. Detachment may sound cold here but it is a skill in the sense of Buddhism for relief of suffering. I remove my own suffering in thinking I possess enough. I remove the suffering of trying to make space and maintain for things. I’m reminded of Chuck Palahniuk, “The things you own end up owning you”. I can see the goblin hags in the junkyard from the movie “Labyrinth” in my head as well.
I’m seeing what a life of things collected without passing on ends up being right now. I think I need to share the love of minis with more people and divest myself of a bit of my collection. I’m debating on whether I should shed some books as well. I will take the example of others committing to painting their entire collection as a malleable goal. I will go and paint the majority of my minis. There are just some that have fallen out of interest for me and I won’t go back to which I will give away without issue. Passing down the culture of miniatures and painting, I think, is where the future lies for the hobby.
Good post and one I think a lot of us can relate to at one point or another.
Several years ago now I moved countries and sold or gave away almost everything I owned, keeping just half a pallet of stuff that went on a slow boat half way around the world.
By the time the stuff I had shipped arrived I had realised that life was a lot ‘clearer’ without all the clutter we surround ourselves with.
Being free of all those possessions and only having what I could fit in two suitcases was the most liberating thing I have ever done, and something I highly recommend everyone trying.
Of course this was 20 years ago now and like most, I have gone back to surrounding myself with stuff.
But, I do often look at the things I have and have clearouts. For me these days I like building terrain and more often than not end up passing it on to be enjoyed by someone else.
Good luck. I honestly believe declutterring your life creates more focus.