inga: Thanks! I have saved things like my wedding photos and cards (divorced 12 years ago) which are *still* hiding in my closet. Ergh! I want to/insist upon looking at them one time before shredding or burning them ceremoniously. I don't have kids, so who really wants the photos? I got rid of my dress and veil already. I guess it is more difficult for me to deal with photos, knick-knacks, books, etc.
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Posted 1 year ago #
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I'm not a hoarder, but my house is messy and not big, my dh is a hoarder and I have 2 kids who come with all the associated clutter chilcren attract. I decided I wanted a less messy house so I came on here and have found such a lovely bunch of intelligent, thoughtful people that it's a pleasure to talk to. It helps me keep on track, and I've changed my mindset on uncluttering.
I also realised, partly through conversations on here, that I may have ADD, the non-hyperactive kind. I'm actually wondering if quite a few people on here have some of the characteristics without realising it. I've always wondered why I get bored so easily (last year I studied full time because I couldn't stand the idea of only ONE course). I flit from one thing to another, I have huge problems sticking to most routines, I hate housework beyond anything, I am awful at time management, I'm always late and have to check my diary about 10 times a day or I'll forget everything which is in it, I get distracted sooo easily, etc etc.
So anyway, I've realised that this is the way I am, and I need to really work hard at all aspects of organisation, including my house and environment. Uncluttering is already helping with that, if I throw a stack of stuff out then it's less to think about and it's easier to do the dreaded housework.
It's interesting though, lots of different reasons people are on here :)Posted 1 year ago # -
lottielot: I have always wondered the same thing about myself. If it's any comfort to you, someone told me that being inquisitive about many different subjects shows that a person has a good bit (more than average) mental energy and intelligence. I can see you are a very artistic person, and DS 1 and 2 are following in your creative interests. Housework is, imho, not interesting to me, and I don't get an hourly wage for it. Dust and dirty dishes and dirty clothes keep reappearing at the speed of light, it seems. I like some routines and resist others. If I have a class, I'll be on time, but I feel punished and restricted by micro-planning every task through every minute of every day.
Posted 1 year ago # -
@Inga, I agree with you that we don't need to learn to organise our clutter we need to reduce it. I have never been a hoarder but the clutter builds back up over time if you keep buying it. This time around I have learned to consider my purchases very carefully. I have been slowly and carefully decluttering my home for 13 months now and the longer I go at it the more free I feel. Through this process I have also been set free from consumerism. You can read my story @ 365lessthings.com if you are interested. I don't mention organising at my blog because that only encourages people to store the stuff they don't need rather than free themselves from it.
Like I said to one of my lovely blog followers the other day...
"Once the clutter is gone the organising almost takes care of itself."Posted 1 year ago # -
sunshineR: I completely agree with you! From what I've read, an inability to deal with the mundane is high on the list of ADD characteristics. However, in some ways it's a really positive thing, as you can think a million miles an hour, can think creatively, can get really engrossed in certain activities (I think one reason why I do well in exams is because I completely focus on that exam) and can just have FUN thinking and learning new stuff all the time. However, I can now see how it makes my everyday life very challenging, particularly with kids to organise and pretty much sole responsibility for day-to-day running of the house. Badly :) Still, knowledge is power, and all that. If I now realise how my brain works and that it's not just laziness/disorganisation/whatever, I can use strategies for helping me get my act together.
Anyway, I'm late for a party now! Must dash :)Posted 1 year ago # -
I've never been a hoarder - I am just pursuing a long-held desire to organize my environment in a feng-shui or wabi-sabi style. However, I had an relative who was a hoarder, to the extent that she was evicted from her home, and I am starting to see signs of it in some of it in some of my older relations. Hopefully, any tendencies I have along those lines will be conquered by embracing an uncluttered lifestyle at a relatively young age (early 30s).
Posted 1 year ago # -
i'm not a 'hoarder' either..and i have tests that prove it...but i just spent a day and half resisting the urge to BUY another camera and/or accessories...it would be just so easy to drive to the store with the used camera equipment with the pretext of getting something small and come home with something that was such a great buy that it would have been a shame to leave it. seriously overcoming this urge is really really hard.
Posted 1 year ago # -
i'm not a 'hoarder' either..and i have tests that prove it...but i just spent a day and half resisting the urge to BUY another camera and/or accessories...it would be just so easy to drive to the store with the used camera equipment with the pretext of getting something small and come home with something that was such a great buy that it would have been a shame to leave it. seriously overcoming this urge is really really hard.
Posted 1 year ago # -
365lessthings: I read your blog, all of it, every page! Loved it, obviously. I have it in my google reader but still click through most days to read the comments as well.
I dont know what it was specifically but something on your blog clicked with something inside my head and now I think I can tackle any room/cupboard/drawer with a very objective mind as to whether something really matters or not. Prior to that some things were, not so much untouchable but more like permanant features. I no longer saw them at all. The first day I read 100 or so pages of your blog and removed nearly everything in my linen storage. We dont use it, nor need it, it just took up space. And I couldnt even list what went out, it was all so unloved.
Posted 1 year ago # -
erasergirl: I think we all have our own unique shopping weaknesses. Could you maybe have a one-in one-out rule for camera equipment?
Posted 1 year ago # -
erasergirl: electronic items are so interesting, and they become technologically obsolete so quickly...
I would like to buy a modest digital camera and I know that I need to do some research first. Maybe someone can suggest guidelines or a link for me to compare different brands, features, pixels, gigs, and to self-assess my true needs before I go out and overspend on a camera that may not be worth the price.Posted 1 year ago # -
I'm in the early stages of recovery. My clutter is a mixture of collectibles, sentimentaliae, techno-glut and egregious misuse of space (glances into next room and frowns at sight of tools and hardware atop the furniture). ADD may figure into it, because I have lots of projects on the go but very few of them are getting finished in a timely manner.
On the other hand, I actually like the minimalist look and hope to achieve it one day.
Clutter has been distressing me for a couple of years now, but sometime in the last 2 weeks or so I finally decided that enough was enough. Stuff is going out the door, finally, and I'm not bringing in more stuff to replace it. I'm worried that this is just a phase I'm going through, but hoping to stick with it.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Astreja: Hi! That's great, you are getting into the habit of decluttering. It's not just a phase. Progress becomes easier and free space becomes more appealing and calming. There are lots of people on this forum and lots of threads to explore. Success stories and inspiration are waiting to be found.
Posted 1 year ago # -
astreja: sunshineR is so right, it's a matter of changing your habits little by little. ATAD is great for that, because you have to focus on at least one thing a day (which usually just gets you started if you're in the mood). I started here last Augustish I think, and my house is still messy but I have got rid of sooo much stuff, so I can see a lot of progress has been made. Stick with it :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'm not a hoarder and the clutter comes and goes depending on the pressures of life. ATAD is the right thing for me at the moment because illness and family circumstances have taken my time and clutter builds up. I'm bone tired from it all and ATAD gives me a psychological boost that I am managing to do something rather than nothing!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Netleigh, we are here to encourage you! Hang in there! :)
Posted 1 year ago #
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