Hoarding - A New Start

blossomhill_2

I put out a lot of Dratington (!) this year-I loved it in the 80s but have no will to keep it crystal clear and it looks a bit dated now, ironically I prefer stuff from even earlier
Even had a sort of hurricane lamp - who knows why!

Goldiegirl

I recently sold a 'Dratington' paperweight on eBay.

It was nice, but I had never really used it, and will have even less need for it, now the mounds of paper have been shredded!

catshark88

To Woody, hugs. To JoJo, ,my admiration once again.

idristhedragon

Hi guys I wanted to share what happened to me this week- haven't read back yet as haven't been on for AGES and have spent the evening at college doing a module on Child Abuse so forgive me for not reading back immediately, Im feeling tired, depressed and itchy of eye but from a quick skim I feel my sharing is apt here today........

Soooo my hired declutterer came on Monday. I WAS NERVOUS, oops caps lock and I admit to waking up at 4am on Monday morning thinking "what if she MAKES me get rid of pink and white rabbit" (Pink and white rabbit is a beloved childhood toy that I still have....however many years ago one of my dogs ate his face and he has been very damaged and shedding stuffing all over the house since, as he gets pushed from pillar to post) ANYWAY....she arrived and was LOVELY. She wanted to look round the whole house first which I was really apprehensive about, so I promptly burst into tears. This, alarmingly was a theme for the whole day........I cannot however stress how lovely, calming, patient and just wonderful this lady was. She started me in our bedroom which I was surprised and a little annoyed about as I really wanted the playroom done for work. HOWEVER I am not overjoyed and can see why.........
The first thing she did was asked me to get everything off the floor- EVERYTHING- all the scrappy little bits, newspapers, hair grips, everthing. We then sorted through it, using a box system- 4 boxes- rubbish, recycling, charity and redistribute (all the stuff that lives elsewhere) Each item went into a box and the charity box was huge (emptied and reloaded 3 times) She never made me feel pressure, every decision was mine, she was very lovely and kept me motivated by praising me and stopping every now and again to give me a hug. Now this may not sit well with some people but I feel she read me really well and knew what I needed. I was amazed at what came out of my head through the process- I hadn't realied HOW angry I am with DH for his cluttery ways, how embittered I am for being the one (or feeling like I am) the one responsible for the lions share of the house/clutter.
Anyway- after 3 hours I have a beautiful, restful bedroom with no trace of the 4 bikini bottoms I discovered in a box with swing tickets that I am NEVER going to wear LOL
Pink and white rabbit is safely contained in a sandwich bag to be repaired and/or put in the loft. Hes not gone, but hes not trailing innards all over the room. I have got rid of a nasty bridesmaids dress that has survived every cull for 15 years. I am NOT going to wear it, it doesn't have happy memories, and now its GONE!
She also helped me declutter the front room (tbh that was more of a deep clean with guidance) and I have booked her for the 8th April for another full day to do the playroom.

I can see now why she did the bedroom- as I mentioned here my "obsession" is clothes- I buy, sell, collect and adore them. I also keep them in boxes/baskets all over the room, which makes for an unrelaxing chaotic resting space. I now have only LOVELy clothes that are stored nice and neatly and I can relax in my clean and clutter free bedroom. I am also currently sat in a clean tidy sitting room that feels restful and pleasant. This in turn is making me feel able to tackle the rest of the house as I feel mentally so much calmer!
Interestingly at first in the bedroom I said "I don't like it- I cant handle empty spaces- I need to fill them" she said she'd only ever worked with one other person who felt like that!!! However I am now revelling in the clear-ness!
It was worth every blinking penny and I cant wait til round two!

blossomhill_2

idris, that's lovely to hear, the lady sounds like she has real skills in getting you to see solutions. I hope you are able to build on what she has taught you

There used to be a dolls' hospital near me, we always pointed it out when we passed - I am doing a lot of sewing these days and think perhaps I should look into offering a precious toy repair service!
I have a golly with a moth-eaten face which I nearly put out (it's filled with sawdust it's so old!) but yesterday found the perfect piece of thick black satin to repair his face with (which was the leg of DD's teenage satin jeans - thank goodness I hung onto them for 10 years and golly for 40-odd LOL - I am incorrigible!)

Like the idea of rabbit being in the sandwich box - that is very much what I have been trying to do, precious things were mingled in with rubbish so they are now in boxes with a printed label saying what they are, why they are precious and what my eventual aim is for them - and the real rubbish shows up as rubbish and can be disposed of easily!

I also think that employing someone is a big incentive, as you don't want to waste their time and your money in the way that you (I) perhaps don't put enough value on your own - I employed someone the other day to help me put some stuff into storage and halfway through said "d'youknow what, I am just going to put the rest in the bin" as I had a clear vision of me having to re-emeploy them a few years down the line to take it all out again

PS - pop a lavender bag into the sandwich box too, to discourage moths

So we are back to "the way you spend your days is in fact how you spend your life" - so how is everyone going to spend their life today? Tripping over things or, like idris, looking round a restful and pleasant room?

zzzLazyDaisy

Last week I arranged to meet up with a group of friends at the weekend. So I went through three of the drawers in my bedroom that were so shoved full that they didn't shut properly (and I couldn't find anything in them) and got rid of a whole bin bag of tops that are pretty but way too small for me now. I took the bag with me when I met up with my friends and they were delighted! Most of the *stuff* has gone to new and happy owners and the last few odd bits that are left will go to the charity shop today.

We are meeting up again next month, so I am going to do the same again.

I have realised that I am unlikely to ebay stuff (I *should* - it's not like I don't need the money - but it just hangs around for months/years making me feel guilty) but this way people I care about, who are also strapped for cash, are getting the benefit, so I feel better about it somehow.

AND... it is actually MSE, because as a result of clearing out the drawers I found my missing leggings and didn't have to nip out to Sainsbury's and buy a new pair!

Dx

whitewing

Great posts idris and LazyDaisy. I am having a really slow start to the day, and it was just the boost I needed to get cracking on the little jobs that have re-emerged, eg posted some stuff off the other day, and it has been posted back as they want slightly different versions. That was in danger of not being re-filed and re-sent today when we go out because it involved a slight bit of effort. But you've reminded me of the importance of GETTING ON WITH IT!

Woody, hope you are still lurking. I don't know if you are joyfully getting on with things or if you are overwhelmed with darkness. I had huge bursts of both initially, and sometimes the hopelessness seemed to be impossible, but you will get there if you allow yourself time to deal with some of the feelings. I'd love to know that you are alright, even if it's only a couple of words.

idristhedragon

My cleaner is here today and she is overjoyed at the new clutter free rooms! she can now do her job effectively and so much easier!
The motivation the declutter has given me is incredible. I have installed a clothes airer in my bay window in the bedroom and my clothes and DHs clothes go on there, they dry quickly and can be put away in the room without hanging round the house. I also did a load of washing and drying by 9am this morning and am clearing up after myself as I go along.
Interestingly Blossonhill you have sussed me! I am incredibly motivated by money and knowing that I was paying declutter-er (actually she is Jenny! she has a name lol) made me even more motivated to get on with it. I also want to sort the garden as that is also cluttered. Ooh its so exciting. I have a week of work the week after next and so has DH so I will be getting him on board for a bit more hardcore sorting.

Oh and in other news on 20th April I am getting a kitten
She is black and white and I have named her Penguin (although it is a toss up between Penguin and Priscilla- my dog is after all called Elvis......)

idristhedragon

OOh a hoarder on this morning now

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

And, now Idris has pinched the two thousandth post! - time for a new thread......


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