Hoarding...not just on TV

snoozer

From today's Radio Times:

Obsessive Compulsive hoarder:the Big Clear Out - C4 9 pm 26th July

The 4 goes Mad season continues by returning to the home of extreme hoarder Richard Wallace. He was something of an outcast in the village of Westcott until gardener Andy Honey befriended him and offered to help clear the junk from his home. After 6 months, progress is slow and opinions remain divided in the village.

I take it this is the infamous Richard.

blossomhill_2

idristhedragon wrote: »

... Writing this down I can see how UTTERLY ridiculous it sounds but its whats going on in my head....
... being a young skint single mum who could never resist a bargain/donation and kept everything as I had so little. ..

Welcome idris glad to hear your story and also that you can achieve some quick wins

Couple of points I relate to, above

1) I find writing it down helps - I often write a post for here then don't actually post it, as seeing it written down makes me realise ... it is ridiculous

2) and we found that although DD couldn't have longed-for trendy toys due to our situation, they often came up at boot sales and jumbles later on so we got them then - the trouble was that they were then even more treasured, as they had been such a find and she missed out on the usual trend-going-out-of-fashion that naturally follows most trends and therefore never ditched them, ever ... ever

Thanks for everyone who is posting, each individual point may not get picked up on but the overall effect is helping everyone see trends and solutions for them, so keep them coming - over a ton of thanks for JoJo now, she has done so much good

I had a real battle of wills in the CS today = took in 3 lots of Dartington glass and saw a useful (definitely) mini brand new shoe rack on the way out - I so want it for the shed where I am setting up a workshop but realised it would be hypocritcial of me as I had ":rotfl:ticked off :rotfl:" Byatt for buying when she was donating. Still thinking it over, may sleep on it.

CS lady was on the phone saying everyone was donating not buying - oh dear, have they been reading this thread?;)

short_bird

snoozer wrote: »

From today's Radio Times:

Obsessive Compulsive hoarder:the Big Clear Out - C4 9 pm 26th July

The 4 goes Mad season continues by returning to the home of extreme hoarder Richard Wallace. He was something of an outcast in the village of Westcott until gardener Andy Honey befriended him and offered to help clear the junk from his home. After 6 months, progress is slow and opinions remain divided in the village.

I take it this is the infamous Richard.

Yes, it is! And it's a follow up.

Blossomhill: there are lots of "please donate your stuff" signs in the shops close to me.

whitewing

I didn't realise that that was the famous Richard. What a lovely chap he was (and the gardener). That follow up will be brilliant. I hope he stumbles across our thread one day and joins in!

Byatt

Blossom, if it's still there tomorrow, then get it, it's practical and you have a use for it.

When I popped into the CS today with the pics I was donating I spotted two rolls of what looked like, what's the word...insulating stuff. Maybe for behind a radiator, I was sorely tempted but I didn't have any money on me.

Saw a rustic pot yesterday that I liked, but it had gone today.

My dishes are throwing themselves off the tops of things! A load just broke...do you thing they are trying to tell me something???!! :eek:

Lazy_Liz

Have been reading this thread for a while and while I am not a horder (I think) I can see hording tendances, a definate infestation of whatifs, a childhood where we didn't have a great deal and parents who having been brought up during the war and rationing didn't like to throw anything out that could be used. Learned behavior on top of a genetic tendency to collect and a need to be ready for a rainy day, I bet all it takes is some severe mental stree and another horder could be born.

One thing I do try and do is rember the William Morris quotation,
Have nothing in your home you know not to be beautiful or useful.

A good rule to live by.

Byatt

I love the William Morris quote Liz.

I have packed up 14 kitchen items of various sizes and shapes for the CS, tomorrow. It doesn't look a lot in the box, but it took up a lot of room.

Brighton_belle

Lazy_Liz wrote: »

One thing I do try and do is rember the William Morris quotation,
Have nothing in your home you know not to be beautiful or useful.

I have long loved this quote, but I think a horder would need to add ...to be beautiful or currently useful.
Many of us hang on to things we believe are indeed very useful but are not in fact used now but are a 'what if' useful.

Byatt wrote: »

I have packed up 14 kitchen items of various sizes and shapes for the CS, tomorrow. It doesn't look a lot in the box, but it took up a lot of room.

Where's the 'standing ovation smilie' when you need one?:D

Loobyloo - I hope you get some where with your childrens stuff. Time for some tough love if you can.

blossomhill_2

snoozer wrote: »

From today's Radio Times:

Obsessive Compulsive hoarder:the Big Clear Out - C4 9 pm 26th July

The 4 goes Mad season continues by returning to the home of extreme hoarder Richard Wallace. He was something of an outcast in the village of Westcott until gardener Andy Honey befriended him and offered to help clear the junk from his home. After 6 months, progress is slow and opinions remain divided in the village.

I take it this is the infamous Richard.

Thank you for letting us know that none of us will be on this thread at 9pm on 26th - I've just watched a clip of the first show - is anyone clever enough to provide a link to the full show please ?

I was panicking with claustrophobia when he appeared in the doorway like a potholer ...

Every town has its Richards - I used to park outside one's house - the garden was full of vintage cars all covered in bird poo and verdigris - and in the next town the guy was befriended by bikers - who moved in with him - then stole his vintage bikes

One of the comments on the website said he should have been left in his natural environment ... interesting thought, but he obviously felt challenged by it all, and only "existing"

wannabe_sybil

Looby - lots of hugs. It is so hard swimming against the tide.

Byatt - you are doing really well. I write lists for drs appts, and if I feel I need to I book a double appointment. Though my current doctors are absolutely lovely.

Three bin bags of rubbish out.

I am trying to deliberately use stuff up now. Saving things for 'just in case' is dangerous territory and if you have too much stuff you can't find the stuff you do actually need. I think I will be looking into the 'hospital bag' type thingy. Thankfully I have no anticipated need - but that's the point isn't it?

Yarn has arrived today. Knickers to it, I am going to comfort craft tonight and start it.

hugs to all.