The Downsizing Dilemma - My plan to shed 3,000 records and create a collection I'm in LOVE with! 

I’ve been “downsizing” for the past 12 months Scott. Sold a number of records on Discogs and given many away. Trouble is I’ve bought more new ones than I’ve got rid of!

Feeling you on this one Scott. I’ve been working on simplifying my life through minimalism (reading Joshua Becker & the Minimalists both) for the past 18 months. I’ve done really well except two areas: shoes and records. Both I posses in abundance, but both bring me joy on different levels, for different reasons. Time is truly our most valuable commodity & resource both, so we should invest it wisely. That said, I think you know where you can try to trim the fat (ex. the show tunes you mentioned at the top of the video). I wish you well in this endeavor sir!

You are exquisite! What a mature topic. I found I liked my records more once I retired a few

Hi Scott, before I read the comments section, I think I will share my thoughts on your topic of downsizing without comparing my downsizing scheme with others. Yes, I truly take to heart what Marie Kondo writes about only keeping things in your life that bring you joy. So, I have also been on a quest to keep my collection to a reasonable size. I no longer play any of my classic rock titles and have not in years so I decided which records are tied to wonderful memories of my youth, and kept those. So out of 600 titles, I am down to 279 (according to my discogs). I think spinning a record is an intentional act. I am choosing to play a record now, for example. It is also a ritual that I go through. It is the same ritual that we all had to do in the 70's as this was the only way to have music in our lives, besides fm radio. Now, back in the day, we would have the radio on while we did our chores or studying. But we also had times when we sat and enjoyed our favorite bands with friends. That was the intentional act. We shared. Today, we can Spotify our music, put on a cd, turn on the radio, etc. as a way to have music be a part of our day. I never spin a record for this. Never use them while doing chores, or talking to family on the phone. The records are that intentional act, or ritual to sit and enjoy music. I have surprised myself through this downsizing of my record collection. Gone are my first pressings of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and quite a bit of the psych rock stuff. I now have a Spotify playlist for that. Anyway, I think you are not alone in the quest to bring the beast under control. Funny, my magic number is close to yours, which is 1700. Regards, Rob Grants Pass

A friend of mine rolls dice to select what he plays from his collection. He rolls 3 dice, takes that total and rolls one die to subtract from the total so it's possible to get 1 (also negative rolls are 1). He then counts down the line (the collection is organized alphabetically without genre divisions) and plays that record. If he lands on a record he doesn't want to play he gives it 2 or 3 times and he sells it. I have bought so many records over the last 10 years that I hardly ever play a record twice. I would really like to purge a few thousand LPs as well.

To my mind 1000 really essential records are enough. And a very good point: even when I have theoretically time to listen, mostly too tired in the last two years...

I would downsize only if there is a real reason for it, like to make more room if you think you desire more room, to get more money if you need money more than the records, to lessen the clutter, if the look of it bothers you. If you want to concentrate on just records you love, you can choose to listen to them, out of no matter how many you have. If getting rid of mass quantities of records will get you a room back that you now use for LP storage, and you think you would enjoy the room for itself more; that would be another good reason. De-clutter experts go into people clothes closets and tell them to get rid of clothes they haven't worn in 6 months. Maybe some record collectors should consider getting rid of records they don't play once a year or so.

Oh man. Great video! I feel your dilemma. Here’s how I would look at it. You want to shed 3,000 records. That’s a lot. You need to accept that, in going through that process, you are going to make a few mistakes, i.e. once you have finished there will be a few records you regret disposing of. Let’s say 1 in 100, assuming you are very careful about the process (and something tells me you will be!). As you are shedding 30 hundred records, that means to get rid of 2,970 records you no longer want, you may lose 30 records you do still want. Can you live with that ratio? You might even allow yourself to buy back the missing 30 records, if that is viable, when the process is complete! Good luck…

I don’t have as many records as you do. I’m going to keep mine because they bring me back to a certain point in my life. Plus with the kind of music I’ve collected over the years. Most are out of print. Like underground House and Disco. I never collected Rock, Jazz or classical.

“Hold on tightly, let go lightly”. Sounds like a sensible plan getting rid of the items ya don’t absolutely love to make room for the concise, curated collection that radiates a light feeling and elicits engagement: actually listening to the music that fills a soul with happiness. Sure, there’s merit in completists collections but they’re also a burdensome weight. Best of luck in the coming weeks & months

And I thought I bought a lot of records and CD’s let’s not forget about those. Which I’m sure I could declutter. But, I never bought anything that I didn’t listen to. I just found all my Mariah Cary CD’s. So I played them. She didn’t have a lot of vinyl releases in the 1990’s. She’s just recently released some of her albums on vinyl.

I think if I had that many it would be. 1. Bad condition ones I don't like FIRST. 2. Bad condition ones I do like SECOND. 3. Less preferred pressings of doubles and triples. 4. Ones I don't like, but have some demand and value, that I could get $$ for. 5. Ones I do like moderately, but could bring me some money, and I'd rather the money. The last ones I'd part with: 6. Ones I didn't get to know well enough yet. 7. Ones whose value seems to be rising. 8. Ones I love. 9. Ones I love that are rare & would be hard to replace

I wish I had 3000 record's! I don't play all of those, but it's nice to know there there in case I get in the mood to listen to them! That's my take!

Hi Scott, here’s my first comment on one of your videos. I’ve only discovered your videos over the past week as have been exploring Classical music which is a new avenue (rabbit hole) to my record collecting and enjoyment. I had started to watch some of your other videos and really like your content and openness of your whole experience. I watched one of your system updates from Feb 23 and it really resonated with me, and now am partly through watching this downsizing video. I felt compelled to comment, as I have probably around 2000 albums, I don’t need them all, I know this! Your line of what music brings you joy…and that music being your collection, time being precious etc…all this is helping me start to think and develop a new way to approach, remove records and purchase records…and then to put this into action. I’m looking forward to watching your curating videos next. Your videos for me so far are a breath of fresh air amongst the so many videos and RU-vidrs out there which are covering both systems and record collecting content. Your videos bring in an more human aspect which is so important. Keep doing what your at your doing, I’m really enjoying watching.

I feel your pain. Two car garage and storage unit full of records.

I can see this is a real source of anguish for you Scott. I have just under 300 records and I'm already looking to cull some!! I can't imagine having several thousand! 🤯

Scott. I bought my records to listen to. I remember when I bought my George Michael albums, my Prince albums and my Madonna albums. Which I still play. Speaking of Madonna. Tomorrow her Finally Enough Love album comes out. 50 # number one songs. On so many different versions I can’t even tell you about all of them. Did you buy a version of this album?

I kind of wanna see the storage area.

I think it’s a great idea, and a principle you can apply to life in general. Simplify and minimalize. I did the same with my vinyl, ‘cut off the fat’ from my collection- down to approx 600 which seems pretty reasonable…quality not quantity..still buying way more than I’d like, but try to balance it by selling some as well. I’ve also limited my music to streaming and vinyl only, makes collecting so much simpler. This hobby is so easy to get carried away with, it’s supposed to be about the music right?! Do we need to pay a premium to squeeze out that extra 5% from every album?

You need to read the book...The Paradox of Choice." Mr. Pete--------> aging hippie

It's funny, in the wine world, collectors are often disparaged by real wine lovers for hoarding wines that should really be enjoyed, often well past their peak. I've found in the VC the bias is more towards collecting than perhaps it should be. For some, like Ken Micallef, the act of collecting is a passionate learning journey and has intrinsic value, regardless of whether records are subsequently shed towards the end of that journey. But for many others it feels like it's more like a desperate race to acquire new reissues to keep up - the epitome of a fear of missing out. I like your shelf idea and look forward to hearing more about it.

Entertaining video, love your honesty on this one. I have a “to sell” shelf and some of those records I absolutely plan to sell sometimes make it back downstairs and I really find joy in them again, some really do stay on the shelf and I find hard to sell here in Australia (was easier in London!) One warning I will give you with jazz is that sometimes I’ve bought records that I didn’t fall in love with straight away and found after maybe the 4th listen sometimes years after buying they really click with me so be careful not to sell any of those possible future gems.

I had to do it too (actually still doing it) - it was tough. I made some decisions and I’m sticking to them. It sounds like you have a real space need - you have to do it. Plus we often buy way more than we will actually really listen to. Your downsizing system sounds like it’ll take a long time. I understand why.

Let me just say good luck to you in this undertaking! I am in the process of doing the same thing in several areas and I love your idea of starting with the things you love first and make that a collection to die for. Thank you for this inspiration! Take care.

I've been thinking about doing this for a few weeks yesterday I watch this video . And I went out and Purge like 30 of my albums... I'm really glad I did I got store credit and I got three really good jazz albums I've been wanting for a very long time. ✌️

Wow, this video hits me right at home. I'm in the same mental spot as you, I'm looking at my collection, having a difficult time purging. I know why I bought every single one, not always for a good reason, thinking about the time I have left on this planet and it's overwhelming. Your initial thoughts are sound, but yeah it would take forever to even find your faves by playing through all of them. I've done that with my clothes, primarily t-shirts: don't launder until you've worn every single tee. If you look in your drawer and just can't put on a certain tee, out it goes, even if you think that you're gonna lose the weight or if you think that it's a souvenir of a special time. Some of the records I've purchased were because I was bored, had FOMO, believed the hype, felt the Completist Compulsion... and I've purged my records and CDs (and books and comics) at least six or seven times over the last thirty years, so rationally I know that I can get it back in my life when I really want it again. Thanks for sharing: this is great therapy for me and hopefully for you too.

I cull my collection about once a year. Same issue….limited space, need to keep it to about 2000. I’ve only ended up missing a few titles here and there.. It’s a good feeling to see available space to buy records again 😁

I’m at about 3k in my personal collection here at home, I’m currently going through older bins and separating out stuff I don’t want to keep… I don’t think there’s anything wrong with thinning the heard every few years… Cheers

I have approximately 10,000 records and still counting...yes there are some well many I don't listen to, but I would never part with them...I share his situation like multiple copies of records and space. this video hits home.

I make myself cull every 5 years or so, and it's much along the same lines-what am I actually playing. I have a 5 shelf bolts rack with box sets on top, but new purchases pile up on the floor-so a maple shade crate was added to keep it all "tidy"- I suppose it's time to cull some more.

Since Ive started to digitize my collection I find it easier to let things go as I still have them in some capacity and sounding just about as good as the real thing. Duplicates of pressings I find inferior especially get easier to let go.

I regard my records as time capsules and links to memories where was I who was I with when I first heard it or bought it. The only thing I get rid of are duplicates and modern reissues I'm not fond about.

Great video(s)! I feel seen! lol when it comes to our thought processes. I have a small, very curated, collection and yet still have all these dilemmas! Decluttering is as mental as it is physical in its "cleansing" ...and with records it's borderline psychedelic, dealing with time and space. "Do I have enough listening time? ...to justify having one, let alone multiple versions, of this record I rarely play, taking up my space?"

Your criteria basically should be what albums you would miss the most. Believe it or not when I think of that, Christmas albums keep popping up in my mind. Certain ones are so tied in with the holiday, that it wouldn't really seem like the holiday without them. They are albums that are played at a certain time and my mind associates them being there, played at a certain time and becoming an important part of that time. Also interesting, if you had to make the choice between keeping an album that isn't recorded that well but you really like the music vs. one that is a sonic spectacular, that you ike the music also, but not quite as much. Which one goes; which one stays? Of course there is always storage, but that costs. As far as having a day off and not feeling like playing music. If it's a nice sunny day, why not enjoy the outdoors. Listening to music can be at night. I find I enjoy music more at night. I listen with the lights out usually, with only a little illumination from the equipment itself. But sometimes you just don't feel like listening to music. You feel like doing something more cerebral, or nothing at all. I just thought of it, but having so many records can actually make you feel indebted to yourself to listen to them. I have gone many months at times not listening to anything on my stereo. Like a sabbatical for the right hemisphere of your brain. The left hemisphere is involved with words, logic and analytical functions. The best solution? Realizing that it could just be procrastination or inertia. Slap on a record that you might think you could stand to hear. Getting started is always the hard part. You'll probably be playing many more before too long.

Its kinda fun and constant for me. Always culling. If I don t like it I trade it at Aomeba. Jump in its enjoyable. My collection is my hall of fame.

Hi scott great video and timing for me too . I feel your pain it’s horrible feeling. Ive just moved bedrooms with my daughter and this room is smaller and all my vinyl doesn’t fit and is no longer alphabetical which is very worrying for me I didn’t have time to arrange alphabetically into this room . I would say i have over 3,000 lps but lots of boxsets . I have got rid of a few doubles and pressings I didn’t want but then I’ve brought more in so no benefit im finding it hard to sort as I’ve got five large tubs with around 75 to 100 in each in living room to find a record i want to play its like going to a very did organisation record store and time consuming i do remember where some are but beed to alphabetical them . I like your shelf idea on your most loved albums but i think id ad more than I should. Its a dilemma. Hopefully you will inspire me to sort and eventually downsize. Take care joe

Either way it’s a tough task. You can find an emotional decision to keep them all. Good luck!

I do not have nearly as much as you but I want to downsize also. I have a bunch of records that I only like one or two songs so I bought a pioneer reel to reel and have been making compilations so to speak. Most are psychedelia and classic rock, country etc…., I want to keep all my jazz and audiophile pressings….good luck!

The fun of the hobby is the hunt Donate them to the Goodwill and write it off on your taxes .

My collection is around 750 LP's and I listen to no more than 30 percent of them. I am not buying any more MFSL's. From this point on maybe an UHQR here and there

There's a lady selling a really nice Nitty Gritty vacuum record cleaning machine in the local Buy/Sell newspaper. I used to have a Nitty Gritty. They're great. It still looks like it has the bottle and all the accessories that came with it. She said he husband hardly used it. She wants $185 for it. Do you have a vacuum record cleaner?

Oh man, I struggle with this all the time. For some reason, even though I realize that I will never have time to listen to all the records in my collection, it's still hard to purge. And the irrational aspect of this is what bothers me more than actually getting rid of the records. I have so many albums, yet when I pass by a record store I still get excited. It doesn't make sense. Look at it this way: if this is the only big problem in your life, your doing pretty good.

You really look perplexed! But I do like you plan about culling And keeping only the ones that bring you joy and happiness! I believe that’s what and how I curated my collection! I hand-picked everything in there and I have about 600 or so albums that bring me joy at times I feel joyless lol 😂

If you buy an LP and play it once. What's the point

If you listen to one record a day and you have 3650 records, you need ten years to listen to it once. That's insane :-) I think people like us with collections are kind of neurotic, that's why we collect. And that collections makes us more neurotic. :-) It's going in circles and circles. But the empty shelve is a great idea. My vinyl collection is small, but I had it with books. I wanted to see every book, so no row of books behind a row of books. So I decluttered. Feels liberated. But now I still need to read 70 books from my library. :-) I studied creative writing, and one professor said: I have 1000 books, if there is 1001, some book has to go. And I didn't study creative writing in English. So my English is not native :-)

Wow. That’s a question I still have a hard time figuring out in my head. Ken Micallef Jazz Vinyl Audiophile about a week ago posed a similar question. When it is time to let it go? The duplicates are probably the easiest to start with. As for myself I haven’t arrived at the point of purging. I hope you start with those Broadway show recordings first. Lol 😂. Good luck my friend because one day you will look up and just start getting rid of those records.

Try uploading some of your collection to YT..👍😎 Like Tens of thousands of collectors around the World have done for about a decade😎🤗👍 Most people have no idea. YT is the largest music storage site in the World. YT over 80 Countries and 150 Languages Globally. It’s the largest music streaming platform in the World 👍 Some are uploading their entire music collections on YT before they die.

You only wear 25% of the clothing you own.

I agree with the premise 100% .. how are you going to guide your future purchases? That’s tough as well

I swapped my OG BEATLES album collection for the very laptop I am using right now! I really missed them at first....I get far more enjoyment from my laptop than I ever got from those records....Stay Strong Scott

Me again. I believe you bought music for all the wrong reasons. I bought music because I..well liked the songs. You, correctly me if I’m wrong….for how the songs sound. That never mattered to me and I have really good audio equipment. I have since I was 18 years old and now I’m in my 60’s and I love playing my collection. It’s fun playing a old Cher album my mom owned or a Elton John album that reminds me his concert in 1974. You need to start loving your music. Forget about..oh, I love the way the bass sounds. Or it doesn’t have any pops on crackles. I hope this helps you. From a lifetime vinyl lover.

“Quality...you know what it is, yet you don’t know what it is. But that’s self-contradictory. But some things are better than others, that is, they have more quality. But when you try to say what the quality is, apart from the things that have it, it all goes poof! There’s nothing to talk about. But if you can’t say what Quality is, how do you know what it is, or how do you know that it even exists? If no one knows what it is, then for all practical purposes it doesn’t exist at all. But for all practical purposes it really does exist.” Quote from : Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert M. Pirsig. ( 1000 records+/- , in my collection , and if a new one comes in, an older one has to leave !

*BROADWAY SHOWS...??!!!* 😳 WTF?!! Yes! Give away your Broadway Shows! Seriously though, I can see you are in 'pain' with the issue, so I do hope you find a good way to deal with it. But, my brother, I have never had and will never have that issue. You know why...? Because I have *ALWAYS* been very judicious about which records I buy. It is very simple my friend: *DON'T F'n BUY RECORDS YOU DON'T LIKE AND WON'T LISTEN TOO!* 🙄 I have nearly 2500 albums AND they are all in my bedroom (you should let me send you some pictures 😊) And, I have absolutely no need to 'get rid' of any. Yes, over the last several years there were a handful of albums that I bought years ago where I have better versions, but they still were worth a little something (like a pristine Japanese pressing of Led Zeppelin The Song Remains the Same - easily replaced by the current 4-LP remaster, MAN what an improvement!) But, I'm happy with what I have, and again... *I ONLY BUY WHAT I LIKE AND WILL LISTEN TOO!* 😁

Do you do much headphone listening? Most headphone guys have a collection of headphones, from trying to get better and better sound. Do you have a headphone collection or do anything with headphones?

Let me know the date and address for the garage sale

How did you resolve this dilemma?

I think you should stop being such a drama queen. For Christ’s sake, I’ve been collecting for years now and I’ve never counted but I’d be surprised if I had more than a few hundred because I can’t afford more than that. Getting stressed over the fact you have too many records is outrageous. Give them to me, I will take them with open arms. There have been soooo many releases that I’ve had to ignore because food and rent are more important.

Invite me over. Problem solved. 😁