Antiquing: The Pleasure Principle and Tag Sales Going to tag sales brings lots of pleasure to collectors who “junk” for fun and are hobbyists not hopeless hoarders who are in need of treatment.
News-Antique.com - Apr 11,2008 - Sigmund Freud introduced the concept of “The Pleasure Principle”, the drive to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Certainly there is nothing more pleasurable and “thrilling” than seeing a sign for a tag sale! Psychotherapist and “Kitschy Collector” C. Dianne Zweig explains that for most people hunting for collectibles is not an addiction but rather a healthy hobby which offers a pleasant distraction from the usual stresses and worries of daily life.
Zweig, the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and the soon to be released Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style homes has been to her share of garage sales, outdoor shows and junk shops and notes that “real” collectors behave very similarly. For many loyal “junk” seekers , nothing gets the adrenalin going faster than reading an advertisement for an upcoming SALE which promises to offer the contents of “GRANDMA’s ATTIC”. Reading a classified with these words is enough to send any collector straight out the door. Another highly catchy phrase is “ ESTATE SALE” which also sends powerful “ neuro-chemicals” to the pleasure seeking brain!
Is collecting an addiction? According to Zweig who has met both healthy and troubled collectors, most collectors maybe somewhat “obsessed” but not necessarily in need of professional help. There is a big difference between individuals who collect for fun and others who hoard massive amounts of “stuff” which ends up interfering with healthy living. While some collections may be quirky and the collector may be viewed as “nuts” by family members there actually is a big difference between collecting within boundaries and the out of control collector.
Zweig notes that hobbyists enjoy what they collect and feel happy when they go out antiquing. Pathological hoarders on the other hand are more complex collectors who may suffer from serious depression and other disorders which need to be treated by professional s who understand these difficulties.
C. Dianne Zweig’s collectibles are showcased in her shop “Kitsch-n-Stuff” which is part of a Multi-Dealer emporium called The Plantsville General Store Antique Center. You can easily access this Central Connecticut shop by taking exit 30, Marion Avenue off 84. For more information visit them on-line at www.pgsantiques.com or call 860-621-5255. Hours: 10am-5pm. Wednesday-Saturday Sunday 12 noon-5pm.
