My cat Sam has a favourite toy which he has secretly stashed at least 50 of them somewhere in the apartment. Every couple of weeks I buy him another one or two, and they also disappear in a short space of time.
He also has a good supply of pens, pencils and erasers, specially selected from my studio.
Like cats, we humans are collectors, we develop a fondness for an item and then have to have every possible form of it. There are collectors of toy pigs, cat figurines, spoons, books, match boxes, Santa Claus dolls, you name it, people will collect it.
But collections can begin because we forget. There in the store is an object that would be great to have, you buy it, and discover you already have it, maybe 2 or 3 times over already.
When you are young you can remember everything you possess, even the cans of food in your cupboard and paperclips on your desk. Not when you age a bit. Now I understand why I found 5 of any given item in my Mom’s house. Why I find the same in mine.
I went through phases of deliberate collecting of favourite things, like most people do at some point in their lives. Eventually you find a like minded collector and happily hand it all over to them. My collections now happen because I forget, or I am winter stock piling.
When you get older, winter stock piling is not just a quirk, it is a necessity. There are power outages, ice storms, illnesses that can prevent you accessing even the simplest of things. Stocking up on heavy items before the snow falls is a good idea, like kitty litter, and necessities like toilet paper. You have to be older to understand this. I used to think my Mom was nuts doing that. Sorry Mom!
The accidental collections are what bring me a good laugh. When I get home with that prized kitchen gadget, tool, art supply or toy and discover I already have it, I laugh. If it was an expensive item I can force a chuckle.
Fortunately I always find an eager recipient to relieve me of overstock, or I donate it to goodwill. As money gets tighter I do far less of what I call ‘excited shopping’ and try to stick to my list.
In all fairness to my forgetfulness, I remember items I use frequently. I think you only need to worry if you start buying toasters and refrigerators, things you use every day. Or bring home a new spouse or another kitty because you forgot you already have them, and thought it would be a nice idea.