What Does Your "Stuff" Say About You?

The most obvious thing a visitor would notice is that I have lots of photographs hanging on my walls. Most are my own cityscape, landscape, and wildlife photos. So my love of photography and nature would be obvious.

During a showing or inspection of my apartment I would not expect a visitor to open my dresser drawers but if they did what would be the most revealing sight?

My collection of sexy lingerie of course

 

I imagine if someone were to walk about my place, they'd think, this dude is growing old, but he ain't growing up...

 

That my house is a mess of unfinished projects, electronics, wires, and trash. I also have too much stuff. This spring there will be a much needed cleaning and downsizing.

 

...that I'm organized.

At least I hope that's what they'd think.

 

I thought about this post last night.
The thing that many would notice, but that I don't think about, is that we have one TV in the whole place.
An old Sony tube TV to be specific.
No video games.
We have lots of professional journals lying about along with mags like New Yorker, Scientific American, Nat Geo.
And a garage loaded with every type of athletic gear known to man. Bicycles, multiple flavors of skis, ice skates, hockey equipment. All well used.
I guess the people visiting would conclude that we are nerdy outdoorsy folks who don't consume much TV. And that would be fine with me.

 

I have too much of it.

And it's everywhere.

 

Mostly, my stuff says...

 

In my case, they would think, "here's a guy who's just moved". Part completed projects everywhere. Stuff in boxes. Aside from that, I've got many, many books, on a huge variety of subjects. Careful study would show that the subjects are a mixture of science and history - maybe revealing that there are two readers here!

 

How I see myself based on my stuff...

How others probably see me based on my stuff...

I have a lot of stuff in my man cave that gives the impression that I'm a Boy Scout / zombie apocalypse survivalist. Got me a tiny cache of emergency rations, medical supplies, etc.

And I tend to see people based on what they don't have in their homes over what they do have. When I first go into a new house, I look to see what typical 21st century bullshit is missing.

Impress me with your lack of video game consoles, your missing junk food, your bedroom floors bare of dirty laundry, the total absence of kitschy hipster garbage. Show me all this nothing.

 

I think my stuff would mostly say, "she's disorganized, loves to read, like, REALLY loves to read, and is into fitness. Did I mention she likes to read?"

 

The mancave says music, computers, gaming, and work. At the moment, the basement and car say skiing and snowshoeing. In a month or two, they will say hiking and motorcycles.

Of course, that assumes Molly will let you look around. The house always says Molly.

 

My parents were in town this weekend, and my mom said, "The house really looks nice!" This is the first compliment I believe I have ever received concerning my current abode. This is a HUGE deal. And it's not because the house was clean—she was complimenting its tidiness and organization, its lack of clutter.

I think that's one of the highest compliments I've ever gotten.

 

Hey, @rogue49 says that you like to read. Is that really true?

 

There's a quote from the Time Traveler's Wife that describes our house very well: "My apartment is basically a couch, an armchair, and about four thousand books." Oh--my stuff also says dogs. And all the pictures...what do they say? I thought maybe they said I love being surrounded by family, but that isn't quite right. Maybe they just say I had a happy childhood.