Clutter and hoarding - help!

savvy

hrafndot wrote:

Sounds like another suggestion where a scanner would come in handy?

LMAO! I was thinking that as I was reading throught it..................BUT then thought it would be difficult to access quickly, or it would be on screen when you are in kitchen etc

So then I got to thinking....................I haven't got a scanner, but HAVE got a laminator!! All those annoying little recipes could be categorised, glued onto A4 paper, and then on the back too, and then laminated. Voila, wipe clean and protected, categorised AND can also be hole punched for file!!! Hmmmmmmmmmm now gotta be @r$ed to do that!!!

aliasojo

I lost this thread the other day when I was looking for it! Oh lol, that sounds familiar.....so much clutter you can never find what you want.

The scanner idea is quite a good one, but I inherited my scanner and I can't find a suitable driver for it, so it sits in the 'just in case' pile.

I think the folder option is good too, but I'd need loads of those. Of course I could probably trim back what was to be kept if I was a bit more ruthless. :rolleyes:

I've got a laminator too....but I can't find the pouches for it.:o

I AM on a roll though! 5, yes 5 black bags full of stuff went in the bin this week, only it all came out of eldest son's room. It's always easier being ruthless with other people's junk isn't it?

Savvy_Sue

but before you all get jealous, it's buried under:

the Christmas catalogue from Hawkin's Bazaar

a copy of the letter I sent to the mobile windscreen people when they couldn't find my insurance details

a mousemat (freebie)

a photo of my son apparently sitting down to eat a cat (live)

a page torn from an old newspaper

a printed copy of one of my DH's sermons

a notebook

assorted CDs and DVDs

and various other things which are buried too deep for me to see without moving them ...

I'm getting rid of the first three. The rest are all my DH's responsibility!

Luis

If you favour the CBT approach, then you need to integrate that in with your lifestyle and decision making processes, eg:

Reward yourself for each declutter you do (or conversely, do not allow yourself a treat until you have done a declutter) - eg: When I have tidied out that drawer, I will watch TV / I will not watch TV until I have tidied out that drawer.

Do a big clear out on your clothes, then every time you buy a new thing you have to throw something out / not allowed to buy a new thing until you throw something out (or take it to the charity shop).

Pay attention to how you feel when you have achieved a declutter - good? organised? proud? Compare this with how you feel when things are messy - stressed, embarassed, irritated? Which would you rather? Therefore, set up systems which enable you to feel good, such as a box file for bills / household with compartments, and every time you file something away allow yourself to feel good.

Avoid the concept of a support group - why should it be that you can only achieve / feel good when sharing? Keep this one for yourself, or at the most gain support from this forum. This ensures that you do not become reliant on the thought that you can only ever do something with help.

The premise of CBT is heavily reward based - this can either be materialistic (eg for every good thing I will do I will get a treat), but far more effective is to tap into your feelings - what makes you feel good, proud, achieving etc then use that. Even smugness!

Good luck and PM me if you need any further support / help.

Luis

hrafndot

Luis wrote:

Avoid the concept of a support group - why should it be that you can only achieve / feel good when sharing? Keep this one for yourself, or at the most gain support from this forum. This ensures that you do not become reliant on the thought that you can only ever do something with help.

The premise of CBT is heavily reward based - this can either be materialistic (eg for every good thing I will do I will get a treat), but far more effective is to tap into your feelings - what makes you feel good, proud, achieving etc then use that. Even smugness!

Good luck and PM me if you need any further support / help.

Luis

Thanks for this comment, you are referring to cognitive behavioural therapy? I agree that this forum is more than enough support. By the way I am still looking for the paper work on the life coaching training, will find it tonight. What do you think of the idea of taking one of these courses?

Savvy_Sue

Luis wrote:

Pay attention to how you feel when you have achieved a declutter - good? organised? proud? Compare this with how you feel when things are messy - stressed, embarassed, irritated? Which would you rather? Therefore, set up systems which enable you to feel good, such as a box file for bills / household with compartments, and every time you file something away allow yourself to feel good.

Usually exhausted by the physical exertion, and depressed by how little I have achieved compared to what remains. A week later even more depressed that whatever I have achieved has now been sabotaged by someone else in the household.

but I felt good when I found the bills I needed for the car!

hrafndot

hrafndot wrote:

Newcastle University Distance Learning Unit are offering a free training course (by post) in Life Coaching. It is completely free and accredited and is designed by one of the leading authorities on the discipline (Fiona Harrold). It is possible if you apply soon, to obtain an accredited certificate and then a diploma, gratis. This might be a route for you to network in South London and find like minded students?

I thought that I might do the course myself and see if it helps me find a new perspective on my organisational skills. Only the paperwork is lost in the enormous mound that is my desk (and several carrier bags worth). If I find it tonight and the associated telephone number/course code, I will let you have the number.

LOL

I found the paperwork!! Newcastle College Flexible Learning, 2nd Floor Dudley Court, Manor Works, Cramlington NE23 6QW. Ask for forms on Certificate and Diploma on Life Coaching. Hope this is useful for those who showed interest.

savvy

Savvy_Sue wrote:

A week later even more depressed that whatever I have achieved has now been sabotaged by someone else in the household.

Hmmm can totally relate to that! Usually only takes a day in my house...............drives me mad!

Thanks for those details hrafndot!

Murtle

I have a declutter book - and it does advise that there is usually a personal attachment to things that can often prevent you from moving on.

The way I started - and it's a long trek - but instead of choosing a location ie lounge etc was to choose a thing ie ornaments; I had loads and I had to go through each one, pick it up and decide if I still wanted it - if it was a definite no, then it got put in a box for re-sale/bin. If it was a maybe or yes it got put back on the shelf. (this is a repetitive solution). Select the top five things ie
ornaments
books
cooking equipment
clothing (break it down if it's too large!)
photos
and work on it one by one

savvy

That's a good idea Murtle, sort of an easier way to approach it. Well I'm chuffed I've got 3 charity bags outside the front door and a dustbin bag of rubbish went off today.....................but we've STILL got too much stuff in our house! :rolleyes: