Why can't I get rid of this junk!

Flika13 · ‎04-30-2014

I am a packrat. I have a very difficult time getting rid of things. I'm not talking hoarding. My house is clean but open up any closet or drawer and you will find things that should've been discarded months even years ago. Maybe I should say I'm a saver. I have stacks of magazines that probably go back at least five years. I know that the information in them is outdated or could easily be found online but yet it's difficult for me to throw them out. I have clothing, still with the tags on, that will fit me when I lose 10 pounds. Ha. I am sitting on the couch with the last five days worth of newspapers that I plan on reading. I keep asking myself why? I should just throw them out. I even save empty shoe boxes because you never know when they might come in handy. I have kind of put my life on hold because I need to clean my house. In the morning I have every intention of cleaning and purging but it never happens. I certainly don't want to burden my family with having to go through my things after I'm gone. (Hopefully that won't be for another 25 to 30 years) I am in awe of people that can give away an item that they paid a lot of money for but they just can't use anymore. My husband is like that. His motto is if I haven't used it in the last five minutes throw it out. He is so much like his mother, why didn't I noticed that before I married him? Oh I guess that would be another topic? Thank you for listening. I feel better.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

One solution, and probably the one that totally worked for me? When we moved I determined if it was something I hadn't used or seen or(?)in X amount of time, out it went. That was what worked for me but I am certainly not suggesting anyone go to this extreme to do this. We were moving and I made up my mind what I was going to do and fortunately, or unfortunately at times, I always follow through once I feel I have made what is a major decision for myself.

If it really bothers you draw up some type of plan and get at it.

hckynut(john)

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

Hi! I am one of those that if I don't need/use it out it goes....start small go thru the drawers in one room and follow the OHIO rule, Only Handle It Once, have a keep, pitch, donate or sell pile and get the donate or sell pile out of the house asap. If you want have a garage sale, and mark things as you go thru them. As I have stated before going thru things and being organized is one of my favorite things to do and an added benefit house cleaning is so much easier to do!! Good luck.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

Newspapers tended to stack up in my house too. I solved that problem by subscribing online. Once I adjusted to it, I actually like it better.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

toodles11 · ‎12-07-2010

I solved the magazine issue (oh that's a pun) by not ordering any.

I am in the midst of decluttering and it is painfully slow. I wish that I could just toss it all without having to look at any of it. I am having my dd help sift through it because it is easier for someone who doesn't have an attachment to it.

If you really want to start getting rid of stuff, have dh go through the cupboard or the stack and you go for a walk or somewhere else.

I'm working on my basement, can I borrow your dh for a couple hours? I would probably miss a couple things, but it would be worth not having to think about it anymore.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

May I offer up a suggestion? Maybe the job you intend to do could be done in one small area at a time. Like my sister says, one bite of elephant at a time. Makes it a whole lot easier to tackle jobs.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

My DH is a latent hoarder too and if it were up to him we would be buried in clutter. I find his problem to be that he thinks everything has beauty or value no matter how old or tattered it becomes. He always thinks everything should be given away or sold to someone. Of course, every old and tattered thing he wants to sell is actually not worth one cent to anyone else. This is somewhat of a sticking point between us as i am a neat-nick and very organized person. When he was working , he travelled for his job so I would get rid of things when he wasn't around and he never missed them. now that he is retired I have a lot more difficulty getting him separated from his clutter. He has a den in our house and I (within reason)let him keep that as he likes. He seems to find comfort in his messiness, so I don't want to completely take it away from him. When we stay in our camper for the summer he has a shed where he has so much stuff it would be impossible for it to ever fall over, the stacked up junk will hold the walls up forever.

I fear that if I am the first to die he will literally become buried in his clutter.

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

"" I have kind of put my life on hold because I need to clean my house. ""

That one sentence speaks volumes. I would suggest trying to find a professional organizer that could help you. They would quickly assess if a counselor or therapist would be needed for the 'Why' behind all this.

Hoarding has many different levels. It's more than a ""Just Do It"". Nothing wrong asking for professional help. I would strongly suggest it. Good luck.

ROMARY · ‎04-28-2010

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)

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).