Re: Why can't I get rid of this junk!

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

On 6/7/2014 ROMARY said:
Great site for de cluttering: FLYLADY.NET You can sign up for emails. Daily or a 'light' version, which is what I have. Make sure it's .NET, (not .com)

I found this site 9when some posters put it up here) to be absolutely ridiculous.It says things like get up and get dressed and brush your hair and your teeth. REALLY?

goodstuff · ‎03-09-2010

It's hard for you to throw things out, but you can do it, right? I've learned to open mail immediately, while I'm standing right over the trash can and recycling bin. Junk mail, flyers, etc. (probably 80% of our mail) go directly into the trash or recycling with no intermediate stops. We put our daily newspapers into a basket by our "reading chair" in the great room. Every Saturday night the basket is emptied into the recycling bin and we start putting a new week's papers into the basket. We have a week to read them, and then they're out. Magazines are put into a couple of central places. Every 4 - 6 weeks I donate all but the current ones to a nursing home to be enjoyed by the residents there. I keep a Goodwill bag in my closet and am constantly putting clothing items in when I realize they don't fit, are faded, out of style, or aren't being worn. I donate the bag when it's full. We put clothes away immediately after they come out of the laundry or when we buy them. We don't stack things on top of dressers or chairs; they have to be properly put away in dressers, closet, or closet storage. If there's no room to store them, something must be donated to make room. I can't say we're junk free, but having a system and sticking with it helps keep things from getting out of control.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

Blubird,

Parts of your post was spot on to what I was feeling 2 years ago before I started decluttering. I started my efforts while I was recovering from knee replacement; I would sit at the dining room table and clear out a drawer. My clutter began to accumulate after I started working; magazines I wanted to take a closer look at, something that needed a slight repair I'd take care of later, a sentimental piece that had special meaning, stuff tucked away for a project I intended to do, etc. In the 3 months I took off for my surgery, I made a fantastic start on my decluttering efforts. As I became more mobile, I tackled closets, and the basement, so I went back to work feeling very proud of myself for several reasons.

My decluttering efforts continue to this day. There was the initial round of removing the obvious clutter; magazines, newspapers, and the junk mail that needed a second look. I retired 9 months after my surgery, and started a second purge of things I wasn't ready to let go of the first time around. Just remember that everything does not have to go, and everything does not have to go at once! I did not get rid of anything extremely sentimental to me; such as keepsakes I inherited from family members who have passed. I did get rid of all my nicknacks that I felt cluttered my house, and have displayed all the special things from my family members, so that I see them all day long, and feel my family with me. Now that I'm retired, I got rid of the clothing I no longer need, so that my closet is about half full and more manageable. I purged makeup I no longer need, and everything now fits in a small Clinique makeup bag. Once I finished off other hair products and shower gels I associated with a work need, I did not replace them, so I have less than half of what I used to have. I got rid of coats and shoes and have just generally parted with a lot of stuff that cluttered my life. I assure you that once you start letting go of the clutter, it will be easier for you to let go. Just make a start somewhere and go from there. For instance, make up your mind that tomorrow morning those old newspapers are going out, then get rid of them and let it go. Then pick a second cluttering item and let it go. The key is not to overwhelm yourself, but I speak from experience in that you will never regret getting started. I feel so much free-er to look around and see less stuff cluttering my life and my home, and that is a wonderful feeling. I wish you much success in your efforts!

occasionalrain · ‎03-10-2010

I canceled my newspaper subscription because a new one would arrive and I still hadn't read the last one. The same with magazine subscriptions, I'd do a quick look through and put it aside never to be picked up again.

With clothing, I ask myself if I saw it on the rack in a store would I buy it. If the answer is no than out it goes.

Feline Fine · ‎06-28-2013

Blubird, several of your habits and thoughts ARE classic hoarding behavior, even though you don't realize it or may be in some denial. And hoarders' homes can be clean.

Hoarding disorder is based in anxiety, and if all of it bothers you enough and/or affects you financially or in relationships, please seek out a therapist who specializes in it or CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy).

It truly works, and you don't have anything to lose.

Good luck!

circles · ‎03-10-2010

my dad was a hoarder...not like on t.v. but a hoarder in collecting junk he kept in the basement and two car garage....

when he died my brother and sister had so much work trying to get rid of it all...took them almost a year....maybe more...(I lived here in Jersey so I was of no help)

I try to keep my stuff cleaned out as much as I can so my sons won't have that to deal with when I die...(hopefully not too soon...lol)

so OP...do a little at a time...as others have said...if you haven't used it or worn it or even seen it in say six months...donate or throw away...whats the use of all that clutter...

Financialgrl · ‎03-13-2010

Ten years ago dad (child of depression) could no longer live alone and we hauled away at least 20 truckloads of stuff to the dump cuz he'd throw nothing away. I'm a minimalist and when he came to live with me he walked for his health and he'd bring home other people's junk out for the trash b/c it still had value and someone might need it someday. Nipped that in the bud - anything he brought home - he had a week to find that elusive "someone" that might need it or I loaded it into my trunk and it went to the dump. He's been dead for 1.5 years and yet I'm still finding little surprises - empty pill bottles under the clean towels (cuz he'd use them to store quarters), used napkins stacked in the corner of his closet with other stuff over it so they'd not be found cuz he'd reuse the napkins unless they were really dirty, etc.

It drove me so crazy that maybe it's why I constantly throw stuff out all the time.

lovescats · ‎03-10-2010

an audio book download my library has is

The Hoarder in You

How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life

by Dr. Robin Zasio

The Hoarder in You provides practical advice for decluttering and organizing and explains how extreme cases of hoarding offer lessons for us all. this book goes thru the stages of hoarding from the beginning to when you cross over to full blown hoarding.

One thing that I think I read here on the forums is when you keep all kinds of stuff the money is gone so why not let the stuff be gone too.

Feline Fine · ‎06-28-2013

On 6/8/2014 Feline Fine said:
Blubird, several of your habits and thoughts ARE classic hoarding behavior, even though you don't realize it or may be in some denial. And hoarders' homes can be clean.

Hoarding disorder is based in anxiety, and if all of it bothers you enough and/or affects you financially or in relationships, please seek out a therapist who specializes in it or CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy).

It truly works, and you don't have anything to lose.

Good luck!

These incredibly-effective books are by the leading authorities/experts on classic acquiring & saving behavior & treatment. You can get them - please seriously consider it - at Amazon.com, where they both have many 5-star rave reviews.

After all, the title of your thread is "WHY CAN'T I GET RID OF THIS JUNK?!". In this books, you'll find the deep-seated answers, finally be rid of the clutter & 'collecting' (especially, thinking you'll need it someday), & learn new ways to prevent it from ever happening again. ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup1}$