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We own a lot of stuff. Some of them are items we cannot go a day without, and some have sort of sentimental value or just seem important enough to keep. But sometimes, people own the weirdest things with the craziest backstories.
That is why I asked the community of Bored Panda to tell us what they own that probably no one else has.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The cutest cat in the whole world 😂
Final score:
259points
Bored Panda reached out to a professor within the Department of Psychology, Nick Neave, who is the Director of the Hoarding Research Group, Faculty Director of Ethics, and Chair of the Faculty Research Ethics Committee. We asked him some questions about human psychology concerning our attachment to objects. Most of the time, owning a lot of stuff and having sentiments towards objects is natural as it is in human nature.
As Nick wrote: “Humans are social animals and forming attachment bonds to other people is part of our evolutionary history, and important to our survival and wellbeing. These attachment bonds can ‘spread’ and so we also form strong attachments to non-humans (pets) and also to inanimate objects (our possessions). Our possessions form a key part of our ‘self’ – they indicate our personality, and signal to others our likes and dislikes, and our social status (e.g. our choice of music, books, fashion, design, movies, etc.). It is very rare for people to have no possessions.”
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#2
I own an official Nanosecond. Actually, it is a section of yellow-stranded 1980s plenum cable that was cut to the exact length that an electron would traverse in one nanosecond. It is signed by the late Rear Admiral Grace M. Hopper, one of the most famous and accomplished computer scientists. She was a member of the Harvard team that discovered the first computer bug.
Final score:
202points
#3
I have a small (about an inch long), mangled, sharp piece of shrapnel that a person mowing their lawn hit, it flew across 3 lanes of traffic and a median strip, through my car window, and into my ribs.
Final score:
167points
We were wondering whether the attachment to objects can, in a way, replace humans. Nick answered: “Yes – we see this in people who display hoarding behaviors – they have typically experienced traumatic and chaotic lives, and have found that other people (i.e. parents, romantic partners, etc.) cannot be relied upon (they are neglectful or abusive, for example) and so they form intense attachments to objects. Objects can be relied upon, and do not cause emotional trauma like other people do. People who strongly attach to objects (i.e. hoarders) can be socially isolated and lonely, and see objects as ‘friends’ and as having human-like qualities (this is called ‘anthropomorphism’), so that they think that a book might be ‘feeling unwanted’ or ‘lonely’ in a shop window and so they go and buy it.”
With that being said, we asked why it is so difficult to throw away old, sentimental things. The professor answered: “As we form intense emotional attachments to objects, it becomes hard to get rid of them. These attachments might have a sentimental connection to a loved one (a parent’s watch, a child’s first shoes, for example), and if that person is no longer alive, then getting rid of the item feels like losing the person again – some keep the item and avoid feeling the emotional loss once more. People who anthropomorphize objects often say that they don’t want to get rid of things because the things might get ‘offended’ or ‘upset’ at being discarded. They are also afraid of getting rid of things ‘in case they need them again in the future’.”
#4
Original first edition copy of Le Fantome De L'Opera by Gaston Leroux (1909)
Final score:
145points
#5
My Great Uncle's whistle he carried at Passchendaele and other battles in WW1.
Final score:
144points
We all do have some sort of attachment to owned objects. Some clothes stay hanged in our closets year after year without being worn. But we were wondering, what could count as an unhealthy attachment to objects?
Nick wrote: “This is difficult to say because it all depends on a person’s circumstances. What might seem useless to one person – say, an old bus ticket, might have deep significance to another person – it might be the bus ticket they used when they visited their aunt who then died shortly after – the ticket is the reminder of their last journey to see their much-loved relative and is thus imbued with feelings, emotions and sentiment. However, if hoarding objects begins to interfere with the normal activities of daily life – i.e. cooking, sleeping, using a bath or toilet, then that person might have a problem, as such conditions can be bad for their health and mental well-being and can soon reach a point where daily life becomes impossible.”
#6
A piece of shale I found while coming back down the mountain. My brother and I were exploring an old gold mine at the top, and on the way back down, we saw a small ledge along the trail that looked like a great spot to climb up and take a break. We climbed the 20 or so feet to the ledge and got comfortable with our backs to the wall and feet dangling. I reached behind me for a piece of shale to put my name and date on. I wiped the dirt, and it already had one. Guys name, and April 21, 1941. I still have it. Left my own piece there for someone else to find someday.
Final score:
124points
#7
Bathroom trash can made from an empty cardboard box. I even moved it from my apartment to my new house. I think nothing about dropping $8 on a latte that'll be gone in half an hour, but a $5 trash can? Out of the question.
Final score:
120points
If you feel like you might have unhealthy attachment issues to objects, or you know someone who does, it might not be an easy fix, but eventually, working towards finding help will make your or another person's life easier.
Here is the advice that Nick shared: “It is very difficult to remove unhealthy attachments – doing so involves working closely with therapists and de-clutterers, the best de-clutterers are often people who have been hoarders in the past and so they can be very insightful when they try to help other people. The process can take time and patience but there can be very positive results. There are some self-help books and websites but it is better to try and work with another person as they can help with the burden of ‘making a decision’ about getting rid of something, and provide moral and social support.”
#8
Me
Final score:
101points
#9
A still sealed original Salvador Dali tarot deck
Final score:
101points
And lastly, Nick added: “Our research has shown that people not only form strong attachments to physical objects but also to digital objects (i.e. photos, music, etc.) and we have created new questionnaires to measure digital hoarding in the workplace and in one's personal life. Our Hoarding Research Group at Northumbria University is very interested in how people form strong attachments to virtual and physical objects and how those connections can be changed or affected by other experiences, etc.”
#10
One of those blue mailboxes that the post office uses to collect mail across the city. It was made the year I was born and had been stationed in the town where I grew up. I acquired it through not-illegal means (it was in a pile of stuff headed out for scrap metal due to minor damage) and I've had it for something like 30 years. Use it for storage.
Final score:
98points
Donna Rock 2 years ago
Ooh that's really cool, & it has some significant sentimental value. It's neat that you also found another use for it.
#11
We still have an old black wall-mounted rotary phone that is old enough that you can’t even change the cord from the phone to the handset (you could on newer ones).
FYI it still works!
Final score:
97points
Donna Rock 2 years ago
Lol I remember those... & waiting for for that rotary wheel to spin back around to dial the next digit lol
#12
Items from the last full-blooded shaman of the Kaw Nations
Final score:
92points
#13
A rock collection full of rocks I found on the playground as a child, which includes amethyst and rosemary quartz.
Final score:
83points
Iridescent-Aurora 2 years ago
Amazing! I had a rock collection too, but the most I got was a piece of marble. I later discovered it was just a random polished rock dropped by someone and that marble isn't naturally glazed and polished.
#14
I don’t believe I have anything except for the stories I write
Final score:
79points
#15
The nest of a family of Firecrests.
They stayed in our palm tree last summer and we were lucky enough to see them fly the nest. The recent storms have dislodged the nest and I now thinking of somewhere nice to keep it. We don't often see Firecrests in the UK so we were very privileged to have what may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Final score:
78points
Jette Wang Wahnon 2 years ago
I can relate...I also collect birds nests I find on the ground...I use them for Easter decor filled with colourful glas eggs/big beads and coloured feathers....I think my 1st nest is about 30-35 years old
#16
A walking stick I decorated with a specific set of runes
Final score:
76points
#17
A girl scout sniper uniform complete with a hot pink bedazzled sniper rifle.
Final score:
73points
#18
I know for a FACT that no one else has a carved wooden bust of my head
Final score:
73points
#19
Anatomically correct museum-quality replica of a male North Atlantic lobster, once used in an ocean exhibition in one of the most famous museums in the world.
Final score:
70points
#20
Zassenhaus nut grinder over 100 years old. I don't know how old exactly b/c it was in Hubby's grandma's cabinet of "old stuff".
Final score:
64points
#21
A pair of letters written by John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy congratulating someone on a new job.
Final score:
64points
#22
Probably my favorite baby blanket. It stopped being made a couple of years ago and there weren't many produced so I have one. That must be pretty special. It's my comfort item, I only use it when I'm really stressed.
Final score:
63points
An Unpopular Opinion. 2 years ago
Same for me, except idk if my was quit being made. I've just had it forever and it helps when I'm sad/stressed/mad
#23
A mint condition WWII Coca-Cola newspaper ad.
Final score:
59points
#24
All kids & grandkid in my family has a handmade blanket quilted/crocheted by family members.
Final score:
56points
HarriMissesScotland 2 years ago
My grandmother had 15 kids, 28 grandchildren and over 80 great grandchildren. She made one blanket for one grandkid. My husband. She made it very clear it was just for him, but it would be ok if he let me use it too. I used to be the favorite. She died the day before my birthday in 1989.
#25
A bottle of Sweet Honey Catalina Dressing expired in November 2007.
Final score:
56points
#26
A puffin skull I preserved myself.
Final score:
48points
Erin Ward (Submission author) 2 years ago
My husband found it on the beach. I actually have a whole collection of skulls that my dad passed down to me. I've been adding to it over the years. There are several ways to clean up a skull. The easiest is to bury it in soil in a bucket (so no animals can get at it) and just wait. You can boil the bigger skulls but birds in particular can't be because they're hollow and will dissolve. Depending on if you want museum quality you can bleach them so they're white. A clear coat at the end is good so they don't collect dust
#27
Self-esteem
Final score:
47points
#28
First of all, I have the One Ring on a necklace. Second of all, I have a small ghost made out of pastel rainbow yarn (his name is Soft Ghost Boi lol) and I made him so he’s one of a kind.
Final score:
47points
#29
A dead dried toad I found on the street side and put it into a glass box for display.
Final score:
45points
#31
Original art (paintings, sculptures) made by others and some by me.
Final score:
39points
#32
A frog skin purse. It’s actually really cool despite what people always think. He’s called Bert
Final score:
36points
#33
I have an antique monkey hair hand warmer that I bought at an auction. I was the only bidder. There was also an antique sheer robe with monkey hair trim, but that went through the roof.
Final score:
33points
#34
glasswork done by me ig
Final score:
32points
Donna Rock 2 years ago
Oooh that's neat & creative. So you have a picture of a piece you can share?
#35
A plush flamingo wearing a (plastic) pearl necklace.
What do you think ?
Rick Seiden 2 years ago
My Pill Clock. I get headaches (been to doctors--I'm just lucky) and I often forget when or if I took pain meds, so I built a clock that my over the counter pain pills sit on. When I take some pills and put them back on the clock, it starts a countdown of four hours, so I know when I can take the pills again.
Becky Monska 2 years ago
You should look into a patent or trademark for that. That sounds like shark tank material. People would buy this.
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Rick Seiden 2 years ago
My Pill Clock. I get headaches (been to doctors--I'm just lucky) and I often forget when or if I took pain meds, so I built a clock that my over the counter pain pills sit on. When I take some pills and put them back on the clock, it starts a countdown of four hours, so I know when I can take the pills again.
Becky Monska 2 years ago
You should look into a patent or trademark for that. That sounds like shark tank material. People would buy this.
Load More Replies... 
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