What a Tale My Thoughts Could Tell

[Russ I]

I’ll spare the details of how after 40+ years of collecting and holding on to lots and lots of vinyl, the feeling’s gone and I just can’t get it back. Took some months to come to grips with that reality, and then some planning, all of which has led to 60+ boxes of (mine-no-more) records now sitting in Plaidroom’s warehouse. (I held onto 500 or so.) Well over 4,000 records by my estimates. It’s kinda like a part of me has died and I’ve had the task of managing the estate left behind. Some mourning, some cleansing, a bit of indecision, and a rewarding sense of closure. I’m sharing this here because it’s been a really valuable space for me for over four years, and if anyone could understand how something like this might go down, it’s gotta be this group. I've had a good ride, and I’ll keep peeking in, but the ending of that first sentence pretty much says it all. Here are some pics to tell part of the story.





Bob at work





Almost all of it

 

[Nee Lewman]

We had those exact tv trays for a bit. We gave them to my eldest.

 

[Russ I]

Ha! We should give ours away . They've seen better days, but they sure do serve a purpose.

 

[Kris]

I’ll spare the details of how after 40+ years of collecting and holding on to lots and lots of vinyl, the feeling’s gone and I just can’t get it back. Took some months to come to grips with that reality, and then some planning, all of which has led to 60+ boxes of (mine-no-more) records now sitting in Plaidroom’s warehouse. (I held onto 500 or so.) Well over 4,000 records by my estimates. It’s kinda like a part of me has died and I’ve had the task of managing the estate left behind. Some mourning, some cleansing, a bit of indecision, and a rewarding sense of closure. I’m sharing this here because it’s been a really valuable space for me for over four years, and if anyone could understand how something like this might go down, it’s gotta be this group. I've had a good ride, and I’ll keep peeking in, but the ending of that first sentence pretty much says it all. Here are some pics to tell part of the story.

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Bob at work
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Almost all of it
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Wow, I understand this decision and what a large undertaking to clear them out. I want to do the exact same thing sometimes. My life has changed and I really don’t have time to listen to records much nor do I want to listen. Seeing the shelves of them is a mental weight, weirdly.

 

[Russ I]

Wow, I understand this decision and what a large undertaking to clear them out. I want to do the exact same thing sometimes. My life has changed and I really don’t have time to listen to records much nor do I want to listen. Seeing the shelves of them is a mental weight, weirdly.

Couldn't agree more about the weight of them, literally for sure, but figuratively even more so. That weight is lifted, which is a relief. And now I have to do the same with all the unnecessary vintage stereo equipment I've hoarded over the years...

 

[jamieanderson1968]

Congrats. This is something that has been playing in my mind recently as well. This year I have vowed to not do a net increase to my vinyl. I have got rid of a small amount (about 50) so far this year, but have also only added 42, so still under my threshold. I am hoping over the next couple of months to do a bigger cull.

But I do catch myself looking at some of my new records and asking "why did I buy this?"

 

[Thackeraye]

I’ll spare the details of how after 40+ years of collecting and holding on to lots and lots of vinyl, the feeling’s gone and I just can’t get it back. Took some months to come to grips with that reality, and then some planning, all of which has led to 60+ boxes of (mine-no-more) records now sitting in Plaidroom’s warehouse. (I held onto 500 or so.) Well over 4,000 records by my estimates. It’s kinda like a part of me has died and I’ve had the task of managing the estate left behind. Some mourning, some cleansing, a bit of indecision, and a rewarding sense of closure. I’m sharing this here because it’s been a really valuable space for me for over four years, and if anyone could understand how something like this might go down, it’s gotta be this group. I've had a good ride, and I’ll keep peeking in, but the ending of that first sentence pretty much says it all. Here are some pics to tell part of the story.

View attachment 209676View attachment 209681
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Bob at work
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View attachment 209679
View attachment 209680View attachment 209673

Almost all of it
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Possibly a stupid question, but is it just vinyl that doesn't feel the same, or music in general?

 

[Russ I]

Possibly a stupid question, but is it just vinyl that doesn't feel the same, or music in general?

Not stupid at all, and not easy to answer. I'm still into music, very much so, but not in a sit-down-and-give-yourself-fully kind of way. One of my goals with culling so severely is to again find the passion I have had for listening to vinyl. Put another way, I'm not ready to give up on my sound system, and it was built for vinyl.

 

[Thackeraye]

Not stupid at all, and not easy to answer. I'm still into music, very much so, but not in a sit-down-and-give-yourself-fully kind of way. One of my goals with culling so severely is to again find the passion I have had for listening to vinyl. Put another way, I'm not ready to give up on my sound system, and it was built for vinyl.

No, I get it. I’ve been wondering if I’m going through a music midlife crisis - I used to love listening to new music, and now I don’t feel as inclined to do so. I’m definitely not taking the risk on something on vinyl based on the value. I’ve been listening to stuff on CD recently and I’ve been really enjoying it.

 

[ngower]

Didn’t even let us get first crack at the outgoings

 

[Joe Mac]

Yeah I get this. I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed and disconnected from my collection of late as well and my buying has slowed down considerably. I sold off about 100 to my local and got a really fair price and felt a huge relief doing it. I’m not at all ready to do what you’ve done and I’m still hoping that it’s more to do with some other stuff I’m working through but this makes a lot of sense to me. More power to you!

 

[OMC]

Things change. Good on ya. Hope you made some good money.
If you do check in with us in the future I think your thoughts on how this plays out could be instructive and helpful to others of us dealing with life changes (reality).