Hoarding - Springing Ahead

greenbee

lobbyludd wrote: »

OK - can someone give me permission to cs a christmas present that I really don't like? It's from my darling mum and I know that she will have spent a lot of time choosing it, and the gift was given with love, but it's a set of nested trinket boxes, in a style that I really don't like at all, and will collect a ton of dust (they're velvet and lace covered). I feel so ungrateful and churlish just writing that, but the very last thing I need is new places to keep random things in.

I had flirted with the idea of letting DD use them, which I could then tell my mum about, and she'd be pleased, but she doesn't like them either.

How would she feel if you talked to her about exchanging them for something you need? She may still have the receipt, and if you talk to her about your decluttering it may change her gift-giving in future. You could suggest that you have a day out together as a present, so you get time with her and memories rather than something that takes up space.

Pitlanepiglet

Lobyludd I'll give you permission to CS it. The CS get's money for it, you get something out that you don't like or want and someone gets to go home clutching the thing that they were just looking for that they got at a bargain, win/win

lobbyludd

thanks both, still feeling very uneasy about it - will see how I feel in a week.

whitewing

Definitely do something lobbyludd - either talk to your mum or simply CS it. You'll find it 'blocks' you otherwise.

Pitlanepiglet - great posts!

I am so pleased with myself as I have sorted out my address box completely from my stash of craft stuff. Each family is on its own card, there are divider cards with shiny pink letters (I asked DH to get me some lettering stickers for xmas cards and he bought PINK - I did manage to not say anything hurtful). I also used up some very pretty flower stickers on each card from various projects before, so lots of packaging gone in the bin. It is not themed like I would normally do, nor printed out nor anything else that would make it 'perfect' but I really like it and it is an improvement on the A4 lined paper scraps that were torn.

Have also got my list of cards to get tomorrow.

noelphobic

Can I join please? I think I was born a hoarder but I'm trying hard to change. I took voluntary redundancy from my job last June and part of my to do list was to declutter and get some much needed work done on my house (difficult to do one without the other!) I have managed to get rid of quite a lot of stuff but can't say the house looks much better for it, which just proves just how much of it there is!


I suffer from recurrent bouts of depression, although thankfully not as much as I used to. That makes it difficult to motivate myself to do anything, which in turn makes the depression worse. Very few people are 'allowed' to visit my home as I am so ashamed of it. I would love to be able to have people round, which is yet another reason for decluttering.


I took my tree down today and have packed the decorations away much more tidily than usual. Last year the tree 'lived' in the lounge for most of the year, although it was dismantled. This year I have bought a 'special' bag for it and it will be going in the loft asap, along with the decorations.


I am hoping that being on here will help me to get and stay motivated!

whitewing

noelphobic,

You are very welcome here! It's brilliant when new people join in because we get such a range of different stages in our posts.

I'm winding down for the night but DH is having a little flurry of activity and has pulled out some outgrown clothes to pass on to a friend.

GreyQueen

Morning all.

Hello and welcome noelphobic, you've come to the right thread. We know all about the siren lure of "stuff" and the paralysis and depression which co-travel with it. Everyone's at different stages on their journey out from under the piles, and we tend to relapse at the drop of some potentially-useful packaging materials, but we walk our talk up here.

My "headology" worked; went to the allotment for the first time in 3 weeks. Shed still there, sheds on either side partially-stripped of roofing felt in the high winds. I re-did mine in Sept so it was OK.

Settled in and grubbled around in the soil for 1 hour +, then quit as back getting sore. Digging muscles need regular use or they can get a bit slack and lazy. Also recovered several glass shards and nails and what appears to be a steel toe cap from someone's boot!:rotfl:

Busy day today at work, but have finished my library book last night and have started on one of the books I bought from the c.s. just before Xmas and it's brilliant. That won't be one lingering for long.

Keep on keeping on, lovely peeps. GQ xx

ETA; Oh, I am a dozy one this morning; hello Johanne, lovely to have you posting. Sounds like you have generational hoarding issues to confront. Hope we can help.

pigpen

lobbyludd wrote: »

OK - can someone give me permission to cs a christmas present that I really don't like? It's from my darling mum and I know that she will have spent a lot of time choosing it, and the gift was given with love, but it's a set of nested trinket boxes, in a style that I really don't like at all, and will collect a ton of dust (they're velvet and lace covered). I feel so ungrateful and churlish just writing that, but the very last thing I need is new places to keep random things in.

I had flirted with the idea of letting DD use them, which I could then tell my mum about, and she'd be pleased, but she doesn't like them either.

I give you permission.
I also urge you to do a Christmas list for next Christmas.. do it now on your phone or computer so you can just flick a list at people who normally buy you gifts.. stuff you DO need..

I'd LOVE a stack of.. 45L stacking boxes (the biggest size that will fit through my loft hatch) If I got 1 for my birthday and 1 for Christmas from the 4 people that usually buy for me I'd be delighted.. 8 boxes of stuff neatly stored and in the loft.. instead of 2 tops I won't wear (one is hideous and one is sack-like .. again, thanks mother but they aren't to my taste) Or how about vouchers? So you can get stuff you need? Or money to get a job done on the house?

I've had a huge fling in the kitchen.. I need to roll through it all again when I get chance as I am certain I have more to go.

alfsmum

Proud to report that 3 of our 4 Christmas trees did not make it back to the attic. The biggest, bought for a fiver second hand some years back, has gone to the recycling centre - I was amazed to see DH voluntarily do this as he has a real keep it just in case mentality. Two smaller trees that we must have had for twenty years are awaiting dispatch to the CS, so just the medium fibre optic kept for next year.

Also made the most of the many charity bags coming through the door to part with two cardigans which have come under the 'don't wear them they are too big/too itchy but I paid good money for them so I am keeping them' heading for a couple of years. Such a relief! Next on the list are the all too many mugs to sort through. Some were brought back by DDs as gift for me on various holidays but live in a box gathering dust. Should I dispose of them? (Mugs not DDs).

cyclingyorkie

I cleared out my mug cupboard this morning and several have been dispatched to a charity shop.


We got 2 new mugs for Christmas - they are matching and from my sister and feature the scenery around Didcot. (And I can't see them ever being used....)