Gearing up for "Spring Cleaning"?

x Hedge · ‎08-18-2016

I don't get cable and never saw Hoarders until 2015, when I was away from home and caught a few episodes.

I see the show's producers are only interested in those situations that will have the highest "Ewww!" factor with the audience, and so love to play up hoarding that incorporates the element of squalor. The more out of control, the better.

In truth, many hoarders are "compulsively organized". But straight stacks of labeled containers holding logically grouped items doesn't hold viewers spellbound or bring in high ratings.

In any given population there will be a percentage who are drivin to some extent by one or more facets of hoarding behavior.

That includes resident populations in groups such as jails, nursing homes, forums like this, as well as residental neighborhoods.

Each facet has a range in which it can manifest itself, from unnoticeable to overwhelming.

There's also the degree to which the hoarder is self aware, and able to interrupt their own behavior.

I grew up in a hoarding household (no squalor), I've been invited into many others (some with squalor), and I've counseled a lot of people who are overwhelmed by their own or loved ones' living circumstances.

It's unfortunate the population of hoarders on this board can't step out and say,

"I hoard, and here's how it benefits and interferes with my life..."

and receive support from other hoarders.

But the subject always draws posts expressing such erroneous assumptions, morbid curiosity, insults and condemnation that it would be impossible.

If you're interested in gaining insight re hoarding behavior I encourage you to check out the book Buried in Treasure by Randy O. Frost.

Anything written on the subject prior to that is nonsensical speculation by psychiatrists and other professionals taking 'guesses'. (Seriously.)

GAQShopr53 · ‎07-27-2015

This is a great topic....many years ago I could say that I was on the road to hoarding (not squalor). I collected magazines and did not throw away any of my important documents so my garage was a place that I saw go from 10 boxes to half of the room arranged with boxes and binds. Eventually, my QVC and HSN packaged were added to the mix and I knew I had to do something about how my garage looked. The hoarding show really helped to open my eyes and I eventually donated some of the magazines and threw the rest in the recycle. All of the packaged were taken from the original boxes and organized on shelves.

Now I have to start the process of getting rid of books...some donated to me and others I purchased. Just yesterday my Mom said she had to get rid of clutter and I asked her how did she do it and she said something so simple "I just put everything in the trash can and did not look back".

Snowpuppy · ‎03-09-2010

It's a sensitive topic for some, especially since this is a shopping board. I can understand those who keep quiet unless they're ready to deal with it and ask for support. Spring Cleaning will not cure hoarding.

I'm more of a minimalist by nature so clutter, kitsch and collectibles never held any interest for me but I'm hardly June Cleaver by any stretch.

I avoid the purge threads. It's just out of my realm.

1Snickers · ‎03-19-2016

@x Hedge My Mother always bought Christmas cards and paper on sale after Christmas. I have an attic full of paper and it gets hot in the Summer. Now I use bags that are easier.

My Son is helping me by tossing it down the folding steps but he never has much time. It’s taking forever!

If it isn’t finished this Spring I’m calling “Got Junk” and they can haul it away. I did that once in an outside garage that had my Parents excess in it. $200 and the guys hauled a lot away.

When my Father died there were bottles of tire dressing and many nail clippers. He would purchase things on sale like buckets.

“Never know when you will need a bucket. “

Last Summer when Hurricanes were coming I bought supplies and, you guessed it BUCKETS!

I guess some things we do are inherited.

mom2four0418 · ‎04-23-2010

@x Hedge wrote:
I don't get cable and never saw Hoarders until 2015, when I was away from home and caught a few episodes.

I see the show's producers are only interested in those situations that will have the highest "Ewww!" factor with the audience, and so love to play up hoarding that incorporates the element of squalor. The more out of control, the better.

In truth, many hoarders are "compulsively organized". But straight stacks of labeled containers holding logically grouped items doesn't hold viewers spellbound or bring in high ratings.

In any given population there will be a percentage who are drivin to some extent by one or more facets of hoarding behavior.

That includes resident populations in groups such as jails, nursing homes, forums like this, as well as residental neighborhoods.

Each facet has a range in which it can manifest itself, from unnoticeable to overwhelming.
There's also the degree to which the hoarder is self aware, and able to interrupt their own behavior.

I grew up in a hoarding household (no squalor), I've been invited into many others (some with squalor), and I've counseled a lot of people who are overwhelmed by their own or loved ones' living circumstances.

It's unfortunate the population of hoarders on this board can't step out and say,
"I hoard, and here's how it benefits and interferes with my life..."
and receive support from other hoarders.

But the subject always draws posts expressing such erroneous assumptions, morbid curiosity, insults and condemnation that it would be impossible.

If you're interested in gaining insight re hoarding behavior I encourage you to check out the book Buried in Treasure by Randy O. Frost.

Anything written on the subject prior to that is nonsensical speculation by psychiatrists and other professionals taking 'guesses'. (Seriously.)

TLC used to be a channel that actually offered educational shows. Now, they offer heavily scripted shows which have very little to do with reality. They are not concerned with the participants but rather how many viewers they can get to tune in. Viewers then have a chance to look down on these people and congratulate themselves for not being a hoarder or morbidly obese. And judging from most of the comments on this board, it is clear that most have no idea how much these mental health issues affect and often, shatter lives.

“The soul is healed by being with children.”
— Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Mary Bailey · ‎03-09-2010

I've got stuff accumulated over 33ish years living in this house. The guest room and the office are overwhelming. I keep going in there, looking around .... a big sigh and walk back out. When I get to it I will be a white tornado LOL.

lolakimono · ‎03-29-2012

@GAQShopr53

If it helps you to release the books, here is an organization that I read about on the boards:

http://www.operationpaperback.org/about.php

GAQShopr53 · ‎07-27-2015

@lolakimono wrote:
@GAQShopr53
If it helps you to release the books, here is an organization that I read about on the boards:

http://www.operationpaperback.org/about.php

Thanks for the link @lolakimono I will check them out...I originally planned on dedicating a room in my home as a library and changed my mind over the years but never could let go of the books. I have books from when I completed my Bachelor's almost 12 years ago.

GAQShopr53 · ‎07-27-2015

@mom2four0418 I have watched several of the hoarding shows and quickly realized that most of the people on the show were dealing with mental health issues...the common theme seemed to be the loss of a loved one or some kind of trauma that was never dealt with or resolved. My heart always went out to the people and I really felt sorry for them when those assigned to help and especially the family members seemed to be the ones who inflicted the most damage/pain as they judged their loved ones.