Hoarding - A New Start

GreyQueen

My Computer Wizard left about half an hour ago after fitting a new fan in this old pooter. He neatly put the ailing one in the packaging from the new one. I picked it up and squinted at a bit of dusty plastic with wires and could see no use but there was a teeny tiny ziploc poly bag in there with screws in it.

Screws Might be Useful. I asked the Wiz if he wanted them as he was heading out and he said no, they were the old ones from the old fan, not the new ones. He's a staunch re-user of stuff so I figured if he doesn't want them and he works with electronics, there's no chance I'd find a use for them.

Ping, into the dustbin.

Well impressed about people who can throw away shoeboxes. I was with Mum in Dec when she bought new shoes and offered me the box. She knows I ALWAYS ask for the shoebox. Except I didn't. And I've even decluttered and recycled some of the shoeboxes on the premises, which I was storing fresh air in.

Because they Might Be Useful. It's progress of a sort. Keep on keeping on, everybody.

VJsmum

Patchwork_Quilt wrote: »

I love the idea of the wooden giraffe. Might go with my wooden rhino. But I couldn't, really ...

Believe it or not, I have a large wooden hippo to add to the menagerie. but he is definitely not clutter, he is a well loved family member. And besides, OH carried the blessed thing home in his rucksack from Zimbabwe many moons ago (there was also an aeroplane involved but you get my drift). Nothing decluttered today - except 3 old bananas into banana bread, but that's going in the freezer for another day.

catshark88

I have a large bronze frog (not solid!) that I bought at an agricultural show many moons ago.

When the kids are a bit older, he might even come out of the spare room..

One of the first things I decluttered upon finding this thread, was my large tin of cleaning stuff. I found many pairs of rubber gloves, inc a multipack of disposable ones. Pah thought I as I dropped most of them in the bin. Then I found the stash of loo cleaners. Gosh I thought, how silly to keep all of these in a cupboard, I will immediately use one, cleaning our loos. Then I had to open the bin & retrieve the disposable gloves........:rotfl:

mcculloch29

I had a wooden rhino for many, many years but his horn broke in a fall.
I do have a china dachshund sitting on his hind legs waving a paw with a grey kitten in standing pose alongside.
It was a present from my Dad when I was four, over 50 years ago. I won't display it, it's just too kitsch, but nothing on this planet would make me part with it.

I also have a wicker squirrel with a small basket in front of him which is meant to hold nuts at Christmas.
He didn't go back into the loft one year and has held small amounts of kipple ever since.
Other household oddities include a cast iron mermaid bootjack that is too narrow for anything but a child's boot and a well hidden large ceramic vase that was son's GCSE project many years ago.
Also a terracotta painted figurine from Latvia (Dad again, 32 years after the ceramic dog and kitten). This one looks remarkably like one of the dancing figures at the end of the children's puppet series Chigley.

sevenup01

I love the sound of the wooden animals but not for me thank you. They are a part of my fantasy me with my perfectly tidy home and beautiful accessories.
I did declutter a hamster, its cage, food, ball and bedding etc yesterday. I told darling daughter that it was about time hamster went to live with her since it is hers! She laughed at me!!! And said you just dont like hmasters do you mum? Erm. No. How on earth did you guess?
I will miss the cat when she takes him though. I loves the moggy an awful lot.

blossomhill_2

fpcat wrote: »

I also think I've got rid of stuff too quickly. The CS manager rang me to say they had found a full photo album in the stuff I took last week. I fetched it, and looking at it, I can't believe I just put it in their box. I think I must have put it in a keep box, and I grabbed that box in a rush when I had the chance to get rid of several other boxes. If it was in a keep box everything has been sorted and distributed by the CS staff, so whatever I wanted to keep or at least reflect on has gone:eek: I have no idea if it was a keep box or donate box, the CS people have no idea what was in it, and neither have I! I suppose it's one way of getting rid of stuff - even if by accident. Oh well, hopefully there wasn't anything I really needed.:(

Aww, (((hugs))) for that - try and picture what would have been in it, even if you make it up in your head and decide they had to go anyway
And make sure it becomes a prompt to have a foolproof system when sorting (doublechecking etc) not a loss that makes you decide to never throw anything else out

I've been in a dark place for a few days, 2 lots of workmen didn't show up, fb buyer didn't show up twice (!) and freecycle recipient didn't show up for an item that cost over £500 - oh and had my fist npb on eby a couple of weeks ago and someone trashed my feedback over one item in a 3 for 99p purchase, so for the sake of 33p! (they were wrong but because it was such a low value sale I hadn't kept a photo) - ho hum

metalswan

Morning all, have been doing much decluttering (still). It's a long road but there is still at least one car load of stuff leaving every 1-2 weeks.
How come my home is still full? (scratches head and looks puzzled)
Best one this week was a book found at the back of the bookshelves entitled "101 ways to make more space", haha 102 was to get rid of the book! :j
Think I'm doing well overall, although it's been tough relearning habits (and breaking some altogether!) I don't go into shops anymore just to browse (danger zone for me)
One habit I am working on is that when I feel down/upset/ insecure etc, I sort of build a nest around myself. I mean literally a nest of papers, books , post, knitting , plates jumpers, scarves and misc stuff all around my seat on the sofa. At it's worst my lovely hubby joked that he could only see my head and worried that he would have to dig me out. Now I know what triggers it I am doing better and also use it as a pointer to tell if I'm starting to get stressed and then do something positive to address it.
Anyone else do this?
Love this thread and all the contributers, you are so friendly and so helpful I am regularly reading with tears in my eyes.
Many thanks to all and much peace and love to spread around where needed :A
(Sorry I can't post more, but don't have a system at home which will let me post, just able to read and thank. Can only post from the library or sporadically when a signal lets me post from my phone.)

metalswan

Cross posted, ((hugs)) blossomhill
Maybe light a stashed candle to light your dark place. I'm having a tough time too, we will get through it. Sending you a smile xx

JellyBox

metalswan wrote: »

One habit I am working on is that when I feel down/upset/ insecure etc, I sort of build a nest around myself. I mean literally a nest of papers, books , post, knitting , plates jumpers, scarves and misc stuff all around my seat on the sofa.

I do this! Not quite to the same level by the sounds of it, but I will surround myself with stuff, I think if OH was away for any length of time I would have a proper nest though. I do the same in the bed if OH isn't there.

whitewing

I used to do the nest thing too, although I'd never recognised that until I read your post and thought back. It did mean huge steps over things to e.g. answer the phone (consequently I didn't always answer the phone etc).

It definitely was to do with feeling the need to feel safe.

I don't do it any more.

I don't miss it.

It just happens that I don't do it. I didn't force-break the habit.