There is a difference between junk and a collection, as I am sure those of you who are collectors have patiently explained many times to your loved ones. Because collecting is a hobby, as opposed to hoarding, which is now officially a psychological disorder. Collecting makes us happy, hoarding makes us anxious.

So this post is for all you happy, well-adjusted collectors out there. There are almost as many kinds of collections as there are people, because you never know what will strike a chord. Antique handkerchiefs? They remind me of grandma. Salt and pepper shakers? I played with my aunt’s collection as a child. As this article on zmescience.com explains, we are all looking to hold on to a little bit of the past.

Here are some of the more common collectibles:

• Comic books
• Wine
• Vinyl Records
• Antique China
• Vintage Clothing
• Trading Cards
• Dolls
• Quilts
• Coins
• Pipes
• Action figures and other toys

Some collections, like coins and stamps, are easily managed and take up little space. Other collections, like vintage clothing and quilts, not only require more space than you might easily find in your home, but they might require protection from extremes of temperature. If this is the case with your collection, you might want to consider a storage unit. Talk to your facility manager about units that are air-conditioned or climate controlled, and that are located away from direct sun. Make sure your items are clean and packed in protective materials. For more information on preparing your collectibles for storage, check out this article on About.