Hoarding...not just on TV

alec_eiffel

Good work everyone. Well done for embracing the fear and letting the council guys take the stuff from your garden Blossomhill. I think when we first get rid of something we hyper-focus on it, one the little bit of space that it not being there makes. But the feelings fade and if a space can be used for rolling around (dog, cat, human or other being) then what could be better?

If you've decided to get rid of something to the charity shop just let it go there - the folks there know how to deal with it (I worked in cs for years, there's cash for charities to make with the things). And even if the stuff does have to be recycled or chucked away you know they will do it.

When you're at a point where an hour a day is an option it's a fantastic feeling isn't it! When I got started I had a luminous sticky cardboard star and I just stuck it on something at the end of every day. Then I'd work on that the next time round, it stopped the feeling of not knowing where to start so lifted a bit of the guilt and pressure.

alec_eiffel

Byatt wrote: »

I know some CS take videos, someone asked in the one I frequent. They sell them on I think as I haven't really seen any for sale.

Yep, the shops I worked at used to sell them on, same with "past it" books. I have no clue what the people did with them but they did something!

blossomhill_2

alec_eiffel wrote: »

So many folk, not just hoarders are paralysed by the fear of things going to the right place. When you can always find a rationale to keep something the fear of recycling is even stronger

So true - I give myself a week off every so often, usually at Christmas - doesn't make me a bad person, we probably still recycle more than the neighbours anyway, just when everything else is going on having 4 bins to juggle is the last thing I need - try it, it is enlightening!

Booze bags - please tell me I am not the only one who takes off the string to tie up the roses when the bag is beyond reuse?

There is so much to this and not wanting to hog the forum, probably need to set up a blog somewhere

blossomhill_2

aliasojo wrote: »

I have an old diary belonging to my Mum (who died over 20 years ago).

Momentos

IMHO that is exactly the sort of thing you should be keeping - it is a record of how she thought, how she made plans for you and also very personal; her handwriting

It is the other stuff that should go, the SIM cards, videos, plantpots, PotNoodle pots ...

But the real momentos risk being swallowed up by the useless or replaceable items

I have a box of diaries and shcool certificates from a late maiden aunt, I have my great grandmother's birthday book from her time in colonial India...my grandmother took it over when she died and added her own records - it is a gem

Other clutter
If you have physical clutter, chances are you have virtual too.
E-photos for example - I have been whittling them down to singles - a single photo that sums up an old friend I no longer see, a single photo that showed how the garden was when we moved in (NB with backup kept elsewhere) - it's very cleansing

blossomhill_2

wannabe_sybil wrote: »

Apparently, because I complained when the meter reader (a strange man) was waving my scanties around and asking for details, I am classed as 'vulnerable' and if you are classed as vulnerable - wait for this - you have your meter read every 8£&$@ time! So because I am nervous with meter readers - I get more meter readers. And breathe

Sounds like you have an issue with male meter readers - have you tried asking for a female or for the man to be escorted by a female chaperone?

wannabe_sybil

Blossomhill - it is so hard letting 'good' and 'useful' stuff go. And that is part of the curse of the hoarder - we can see uses in all sorts, like papier mache for my little bear etc. Please be kind to yourself about this - you have won a great victory.

Do you know, I really, really want a multifuel stove - so I can burn rubbish on it. Darling father has two papers every day. Add in all the other stuff, and I think we could have some serious warmth there! But I see the 'this could be useful' bit and it is so hard to just let it go.

Blogs are good. I blog. That way I know that I have been trying to do 'Operation Clutterbust' since October 2010 (seeing that gave me a sinking feeling) and it has just gone in fits and starts. I just do what I can, when I can.

Today I have done no clutterbusting, de-richarding or catflapping. However I can say with some smugness that when I put in an order with Approved Food (a hoarder's serious temptation) I managed to resist a box of biscuits. I didn't want the biscuits, I wanted the tin! But I don't have an immediate use for it, it is easy for me to re-purpose (Americanism, but a nice way of putting it) other things and I didn't like the look of the biscuits :T:T:T

Byatt - when I asked today on the phone why I was getting so many visits I was told that I was down as a vulnerable person. This did not help. I think their heart is in the right place, not sure about the brain cells.

wannabe_sybil

Blossomhill - I would feel more comfortable with a woman, and I don't want to blow it up out of proportion, but I am not really comfortable about strange men coming into the house. When I rang them all I was grumbling about was that I really get fed up of hoicking four tyres around every three months at their timetable instead of just providing over the ether. If I get a chance of a time/date then I just make sure someone is around. There normally is anyway. I just feel a bit uncomfortable. My father lives with us (another hoarder) and is often around, though not always. I can't wait for smart meters.

And cyber clutter is indeed a problem. I spent a few hours a week ago unsubscribing. It feels a lot better. I also spent about three days going through various drafts of writing, getting rid of old versions that have no purpose. It is very cathartic.

Possession

alec_eiffel wrote: »

When you're at a point where an hour a day is an option it's a fantastic feeling isn't it! When I got started I had a luminous sticky cardboard star and I just stuck it on something at the end of every day. Then I'd work on that the next time round, it stopped the feeling of not knowing where to start so lifted a bit of the guilt and pressure.

What a great idea.

Possession

blossomhill wrote: »

Booze bags - please tell me I am not the only one who takes off the string to tie up the roses when the bag is beyond reuse?

There is so much to this and not wanting to hog the forum, probably need to set up a blog somewhere

My Grandma used to save every little thing. All presents at her house had to be unwrapped super carefully so the paper could be used again - it had probably already been used 5 or 6 times. She is so immobile now that she doesn't do stuff like that but it also means she doesn't put stuff away because she wants it at hand, meaning my mum has to clear pathways through the rooms.
Blossomhill I don't think you're hogging the forum at all, you've said some really insightful things which I'm sure will be useful for lots of people.

MMLS

A good day and a not so good day for me. I tackled 2 big drawers of mum's papers and general bits and pieces and now both drawers are empty and looking good. I was ok until I came to her address book. Her writing got steadily worse over the last few years and I know it became increasingly painful for her so just seeing the squiggles set me off. I'm still fighting back tears several hours later. Unfortunately recent deRicharding has left me seeking comfort in food so that today 2 drawers = 1 tub of B*n & J*rry'$ 1000 cals a spoonful ice cream.:eek:

Yesterday I only managed an empty plastic ready-made-custard pot. It's the first ready made custard I've had and the pot, unlike the contents, was very enticing. I gave it a good clean and then....put it in the recycling! :T It wasn't easy I can get rid of ordinary yogurt pots but anything that comes with a lid could come in useful