# What do you have too much/many of? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 6, 2015, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828 "2015-06-06T23:36:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![troubledwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@troubledwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troubledwater)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/61 "2015-06-09T01:34:58Z")
Also too many books. What bothers me about them is this: I have always been a “book person.” For most of my life it has been a given that the problem is too many books, not enough space. The first man I fell in love with showed up on our overseas program with a suitcase full of books rather than clothes. A few years ago, I moved into a house that afforded me the luxury of designating one room as “the library.” I populated it with all my books, six bookcases (including ones that had belonged to my mother and grandmother), an antique dictionary stand to hold my 2000 page Random House dictionary, and a desk. Heaven, right? Not so much, as I struggle to come to terms with the fact that I am no longer a “book person.” Of course I allowed the internet to change how I absorb information, so there’s that. With few exceptions, I care about the content, not the medium, so the books I do consume are read on a Kindle app, or read to me on Audible. Now, some books do have to stay. Some have sentimental value, of course. And there is no replacing my collection of _Alice in Wonderland_ in multiple languages, rendered by various illustrators. But I don’t really need the stuff that is available at the library or free/cheap on Kindle, given that my tastes have changed and I have a lot of books I will likely never read again. A few weeks ago it was a pleasant afternoon and I thought I’d settle down with a nice good hardcover book, one I could expect to enjoy on a second read, only to find that my eyesight has deteriorated such that reading a physical book the way I used to is no longer comfortable. ☹ I still read. But I am not a “book person” any more. As such, it makes little sense to maintain a library. So, too many books. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/62 "2015-06-09T01:43:33Z")
I have hundreds of ankle bracelets and toe rings. Also, I have 12 pairs of Minnetonka suede moccasins, in every color. ---
**Author:** ![Whatever4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@Whatever4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatever4)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/63 "2015-06-09T03:28:36Z")
> [@purplehearingaid](#): > > Wild rabbits in our yard ! They’re pooping up a storm. YUCK! Rabbit poop is great fertilizer. A few skins = warm furry mittens. ---
**Author:** ![Whatever4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@Whatever4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatever4)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/64 "2015-06-09T03:43:20Z")
Everything dollhouse. Too many weird little objects that maybe I could make something from, but never do. Enough roof shingles for a mini housing development. The kits under the bed are there to keep the [years of] dust off the carpet. ---
**Author:** ![Dibbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dibbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dibbs)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/65 "2015-06-09T04:50:59Z")
Bad memories. Other than that, I’m one happy camper. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/66 "2015-06-09T04:54:49Z")
Trophies claimed from fallen foes. Severed heads, ears, hands, etc. The last time I left a kingdom in desolation, I built a mound of a hundred hands and left a dozen heads to watch over the palace gates. I _still_ have grisly mementos hanging from every weapon and piece of armor I own, not to mention the ones I’ve woven into my beard. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/67 "2015-06-09T05:09:44Z")
Laserdiscs ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/68 "2015-06-09T08:25:42Z")
Wristwatches. I have probably 24, which isn’t a huge number but I can’t wear them at work, so each one gets an airing about once every couple of months. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/69 "2015-06-09T14:39:24Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > Why am I betting you have at least once uttered the phrase: “but they’re a different kind of black!?” You’ve got me there. But I also have many other colors - pink, purple, jeweled, red, brown (although not too many of brown). Although the other day I realized that I didn’t have any green shoes. It’s hard to find a good color of green for shoes. Last laundry day, I realized that I had 12 pairs of black pants. All different styles mind you, but still excessive. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/70 "2015-06-09T16:48:49Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Some people might say that I have too many books. But I go to Barnes and Noble and they have more books than I do and nobody says anything to them. Yeah, but they’re trying like heck to get rid of all theirs as fast as they can. And none too successfully of late I hear. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/71 "2015-06-09T16:49:50Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Laserdiscs One sounds like more than 99.999% of us need. So just how far over-supplied are you? ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/72 "2015-06-09T18:54:11Z")
The handyman’s helpers - duct tape/electrical tape/WD-40. All three are in almost every room in the house and in each vehicle. Tell me again why I can never find any of them when I need it… ---
**Author:** ![mage-girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@mage-girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mage-girl)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/73 "2015-06-10T00:33:29Z")
For me, it’s these: - Stuffed animals, particularly Hello Kitty ones. Probably a nostalgia thing. - Video games. At this point, I don’t think I could physically finish ALL of them, and that doesn’t account for picking up new games in the future. - Blouses and shirts I don’t wear. God! Get rid of them already. :smack: - Books. Yet I’ll tell you I have nothing to read. 😕 - Yarn and cross-stitch supplies. Again, way way more than I’ll ever manage to get through in this lifetime! Guys, I may be a bit of a hoarder. :eek: (Not making fun of hoarders; seriously, it may be an issue where I’m concerned.) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/74 "2015-06-10T02:43:32Z")
> [@mage-girl](#): > > Stuffed animals, particularly Hello Kitty ones. Probably a nostalgia thing. \ Do you have [one of these](http://th00.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2013/204/d/2/heil_kitty_by_phoebus_chango-d6etbwo.png)? ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/75 "2015-06-12T18:21:21Z")
It took me a long time to realise, that unused books, clothes and even friends get in the way of actually enjoying books, clothes and friends. Things either invite you to enjoy them, or they just give you a sense of obligation and reproach. If books do’t get read, clothes don’t get worn and friends don’t get together, there is usually a good reason. The books don’t really appeal to you, even if you initially thought so. The clothes don’t fit your person or style, and the ease, convenience, like- mindedness or fun has gone out of the friendship and has not been replaced by love. They probably feel the same way about you. The worst thing you can do is stop getting new books or clothes or friends, because “i don’t even have time for the ones i do have”. That is faulty thinking. The proper thing to do is admit that the books wont get read and the clothes wont get worn anymore, and give them away to goodwill. With the friends, enjoy the nostalgia the good memories, and keep in superficial touch. But go out and make new friends right here where you live, work and play. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/76 "2015-06-12T18:29:53Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > The handyman’s helpers - duct tape/electrical tape/WD-40. All three are in almost every room in the house and in each vehicle. > > Tell me again why I can never find any of them when I need it… If you add ‘flashlight’ to that list, I’m right there with you. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/77 "2015-06-12T18:31:44Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > It took me a long time to realise, that unused books, clothes and even friends get in the way of actually enjoying books, clothes and friends. Things either invite you to enjoy them, or they just give you a sense of obligation and reproach. > > If books do’t get read, clothes don’t get worn and friends don’t get together, there is usually a good reason. The books don’t really appeal to you, even if you initially thought so. The clothes don’t fit your person or style, and the ease, convenience, like- mindedness or fun has gone out of the friendship and has not been replaced by love. They probably feel the same way about you. > > The worst thing you can do is stop getting new books or clothes or friends, because “i don’t even have time for the ones i do have”. That is faulty thinking. The proper thing to do is admit that the books wont get read and the clothes wont get worn anymore, and give them away to goodwill. With the friends, enjoy the nostalgia the good memories, and keep in superficial touch. But go out and make new friends right here where you live, work and play. I wish the Dope had a “Like” button. This is some good wisdom right here. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/78 "2015-06-12T20:43:01Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > It took me a long time to realise, that unused books, clothes and even friends get in the way of actually enjoying books, clothes and friends. Things either invite you to enjoy them, or they just give you a sense of obligation and reproach. > > If books do’t get read, clothes don’t get worn and friends don’t get together, there is usually a good reason. The books don’t really appeal to you, even if you initially thought so. The clothes don’t fit your person or style, and the ease, convenience, like- mindedness or fun has gone out of the friendship and has not been replaced by love. They probably feel the same way about you. > > The worst thing you can do is stop getting new books or clothes or friends, because “i don’t even have time for the ones i do have”. That is faulty thinking. The proper thing to do is admit that the books wont get read and the clothes wont get worn anymore, and give them away to goodwill. With the friends, enjoy the nostalgia the good memories, and keep in superficial touch. But go out and make new friends right here where you live, work and play. This seriously needs to be on a (long-winded) pillowcase. Let’s get you together with all the crafts supplies and cross stitch and yarn folks, and make some shit happen! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/79 "2015-06-12T22:20:08Z")
> [@Surly\_Chick](#): > > I grew up lower middle class and we got two pairs of shoes a year - a “school” pair and a pair of tennis shoes. Us too! In my case, it’s food where I go hogwild because things were constrained when I was growing up. Now I can get fast food whenever I want!! > [@Maastricht](#): > > The proper thing to do is admit that the books wont get read and the clothes wont get worn anymore, and give them away to goodwill. Whew. Thank you. Seriously – there is a pile of books I have been “supposed to read” for many years now. I think it is time to free myself and take them to the library free table, without guilt. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828/80 "2015-06-12T22:23:53Z")
> [@mage-girl](#): > > Guys, I may be a bit of a hoarder. :eek: If you put a period after guys your post would be a lot more interesting. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-too-much-many-of/721828.md?page=5)