Dedicate time and effort to searching for what you love. We collect because we like the things we collect, not because we need to find a mate. Taking the time to really get into it and immerse ourselves in our chosen world allows us to fully appreciate what we’re seeking out. Bowerbirds don’t just go fly to the nearest Walmart and grab whatever is blue on the first aisle, oh no. So why should you?

Consider various different kinds of what you’re searching for. Think outside of what is “normal.” Miss Satin Bowerbird will be knocked off her branch when she sees the most perfectly arranged blue glass display. For the first time. Then, after that, she’s kind of done with the whole blue glass movement. It’s very passé, she says, as she flies by. So bachelor bird has to branch out and go for different kinds of things, like blue straws or bottle caps, to really attract her attention. And when he looks over his work, he stands proud. Anyone can collect something easy. But almost no one would be proud of it. Search out what you find enjoyable, interesting, and new.

Refine what you’re looking for. Do you research. Time spent curating is important. But time well spent is even more important. Take the time to learn about what you’re looking for and really learn to tell the difference between good pieces and better ones. 

Be a picky little bitch (or Goldilocks, if you prefer). You like this one. And that one. Oh, that’s nice too. But you can only have so many things. Well, unless you want to be a hoarder. But that’s not curating, now, is it? You need to set standards for your collection. Not just anything can make it. Take pride in that you only take the best. Sure, it may take longer. But in the end, it’s more than worth it.