Last week on our Facebook page, Heather shared a post from Do Ewe Knit? it was one of those cute, little, old timey e-cards:
Being the contemplative type, the ensuing comments, and my own first hand observations as YEE (Yarn Enabler Extraordinaire) for the past 3 and half years in our brick and mortar shop, has got me pondering "Stash Guilt." Why do we feel guilty about having a stash? What's wrong with having stash?!
Perhaps it all starts with the word stash. The word stash as a verb means: to put by or away as for safekeeping or future use... Nothing wrong with that, it's just planning for the future which most people find desirable. But the second part of the definition: usually in a secret place may be the root of the guilt. Stash as a noun is: something put away or hidden. So we have a choice in how we look at stash, we can put our yarn and fabric away for future use or we can hide it away and keep it secret. So, why do we choose the secret place/hidden away aspect?
I've observed that there are some people who have no problem just buying yarn and/or fabric for future use. They seem to mostly be the people who work through projects consistently. On the other hand, it seems like the vast majority of people, either by choice or necessity hide their yarn away. It then becomes a guilty pleasure, akin to secretly eating that whole pint of your favorite ice cream or that whole batch of brownies late at night, when no one is looking. Something we do to indulge or comfort ourselves.
I often wonder why do we feel guilty? (I find myself doing it too, at times!) Do we like to feel guilty? Does feeling guilty enhance the pleasure of having the stash? Is it fun?
For me it is enjoyable to have the stash and I think I'd have to admit that it's fun to have something my SO can tease me about. Yes, my stash gets out of control from time to time. I do need to keep it corralled and organized for sanity's and my relationship's sake. But the fact is, I'm going to have a stash! I'm unabashed and unashamed of having one. I come with stash! That all there is to it!
This has lead me to put up a sign in the shop that says "Why no, I don't think I have too much yarn!"
What do you think? Why do you feel guilty! How do you deal with it? Share you stash guilt here we'd love to hear about it!
Happy Stashing!
Terry
Being the contemplative type, the ensuing comments, and my own first hand observations as YEE (Yarn Enabler Extraordinaire) for the past 3 and half years in our brick and mortar shop, has got me pondering "Stash Guilt." Why do we feel guilty about having a stash? What's wrong with having stash?!
Perhaps it all starts with the word stash. The word stash as a verb means: to put by or away as for safekeeping or future use... Nothing wrong with that, it's just planning for the future which most people find desirable. But the second part of the definition: usually in a secret place may be the root of the guilt. Stash as a noun is: something put away or hidden. So we have a choice in how we look at stash, we can put our yarn and fabric away for future use or we can hide it away and keep it secret. So, why do we choose the secret place/hidden away aspect?
I've observed that there are some people who have no problem just buying yarn and/or fabric for future use. They seem to mostly be the people who work through projects consistently. On the other hand, it seems like the vast majority of people, either by choice or necessity hide their yarn away. It then becomes a guilty pleasure, akin to secretly eating that whole pint of your favorite ice cream or that whole batch of brownies late at night, when no one is looking. Something we do to indulge or comfort ourselves.
I often wonder why do we feel guilty? (I find myself doing it too, at times!) Do we like to feel guilty? Does feeling guilty enhance the pleasure of having the stash? Is it fun?
For me it is enjoyable to have the stash and I think I'd have to admit that it's fun to have something my SO can tease me about. Yes, my stash gets out of control from time to time. I do need to keep it corralled and organized for sanity's and my relationship's sake. But the fact is, I'm going to have a stash! I'm unabashed and unashamed of having one. I come with stash! That all there is to it!
This has lead me to put up a sign in the shop that says "Why no, I don't think I have too much yarn!"
What do you think? Why do you feel guilty! How do you deal with it? Share you stash guilt here we'd love to hear about it!
Happy Stashing!
Terry
