I'm watching a news story about a lady who suffers from "compulsive hoarding" -- she can't throw anything away.

Do you own something that's been around forever, is basically useless, but you cannot throw it away?

Recently my mom sent me three boxes of hippos -- my childhood collection.  Some of them are pretty ratty but...I have to keep them.  Someday I'll set them up and take a photo.  In the meantime, they're in boxes in a closet.  But at least they have sentimental value.

I still have some stuffed animals... um... some random drawings a girl gave me in like third grade... I tend to save certain notes or letters I've been written... good Lord, I think I'd make a prime candidate for their next compulsive hoarding interview.

I wouldn't say I was as bad as this lady, or they Collyer brothers, but I had a lot of stuff I didn't need.  I had a house to myself for a couple years before I got married, and it's real easy to hold onto things that "might" be valuable.  I've spent a decent amount of time since getting married last year getting rid of things.  A lot of books went out in the recycle buckets.  A lot of other stuff went up on amazon and ebay.

I found the best course of action, is to ask yourself "why am I saving this?"  With books, I'd ask myself if I ever was going to read it again.  Got rid of a lot of fiction that way. Got rid of a lot of computer manuals too. Hate getting rid of something (it's wasteful!) then do what I did, put the stuff to get rid off in boxes and ask people if they want it when they visit you.  If people don't want something even when it's free (and you check ebay, amazon, etc to see if it has any value) then you know it's time for the trash bucket.

I spent the past three months cleaning out the workspace over my garage.  I purchased hundreds of dollars worth of plastic containers and shelving materials and sorted through stuff that had been in the garage for the past fifty years.  When my father purchased the house in the mid-70s, you couldn't walk into the garage it was so full of junk.  He got rid of most of it, but there was still a lot left in the area to this day. I've got an entire workbench in my basement filled with old stuff that might be worth selling on ebay at some point now.

I've got a closet filled my toys from my childhood still.  Neal will be getting most of it when he's a little older, and if he doesn't want it, then out on the curb it goes. 

Of course half of the closet in Neal's room is my record collection.  Vinyl takes up such a huge amount of space, I'm going to have to figure out something to do with it soon.  Most of it is mainstream stuff I've repurchased on CD, or stuff I won't listen to ever again.  No one buys the stuff, and it costs too much to ship so ebay is right out of the question for common records.

I found the best course of action, is to ask yourself "why am I saving this?"  With books, I'd ask myself if I ever was going to read it again.  Got rid of a lot of fiction that way. Got rid of a lot of computer manuals too. Hate getting rid of something (it's wasteful!) then do what I did, put the stuff to get rid off in boxes and ask people if they want it when they visit you.  If people don't want something even when it's free (and you check ebay, amazon, etc to see if it has any value) then you know it's time for the trash bucket.


Wow, a reply with good advice!  My downfall with a lot of stuff is that I can imagine being able to use something for some craft project someday.  I've decided that if that's my only reason for keeping it, I should throw it away.  Also, Craig's List has a "free stuff" thread where you can say, "This will be sitting in front of my house.  If you want it, come get it."

OK..I dare you to do what I did.

I cleaned out a closet full of useless crap. I never open this closet to look for anything and most of these boxes..well, I have no idea what's in them.  If I don't need it,  I throw it away....

SOOOO- I did this: without looking in the boxes, I just put them out to the trash.

And I'm not missing anything.  I"m not looking for anything.

Just do it.

SOOOO- I did this: without looking in the boxes, I just put them out to the trash.

And I'm not missing anything.  I"m not looking for anything.

Just do it.



Excellent advice!  I cleaned out my garage last Sunday.  I was tempted to do what you did.  But I backed up one step.  I opened each box, glanced inside....if I didn't notice something useful immediately, I closed the box and put it out to trash.  Found a couple of useful things that had been missing, but otherwise, no loss.  And I'm SO HAPPY with my clean garage.  Sometimes I just have to go stand in the middle and look around and feel pleased with myself!

I'm a pack rat myself.  :-[  ::)

I know the feeling.

Well reading this post reminded me to e-mail a friend about some baby clothes I have to get rid of so that was useful!!

I am trying to clear out junk at home  but I am not very good at it yet.  Plus one day I really will loose weight and fit into all those clothes!!

Plenty of stuff I could throw away, and I really will someday, really  :-\\

All my drawing pads from years ago. They're not useful in any way, shape or form but it's always a laugh flicking back through them and looking at some of the things i'd drawn  ;D

Video game magazines(probably 500 or more), anime magazines and drawings I've done and old video game ideas.

I have a very hard time throwing things away.  I got a whole box of stuffed animals I've had for years (which included like 7 stuffed Opus penguins LOL) that i can't part with.  I still even have most of my old He-men and WWF Wrestling figurines that I've had since I was a kid

My parents are the king and queen of "I might need it someday".  The problem is, when the day comes that they DO need it, they can't find it so they have to go out and buy another one ::) 

This used to be me.  But no more.  I'm cleaning out and organizing (for real!) and I'm determined to know what I own and where it is. 

Now where are those trash bags?    :-\\

I use to be terrible at throwing things away. I still trying to get out of that mode.

I use to save magazine subscription cards because I thought they made good bookmarks, then they became sentimental to me because I was so use to using them even though to someone else, they were a worthless piece of junk.

I am still going through a hoard of magazines I've been collecting for about 11 years. Now, what I do is rip the covers off - rip out the articles I like and save them in a binder. It's still pack rat like behavoir, but at least it's condensed.  ;)

All my drawing pads from years ago. They're not useful in any way, shape or form but it's always a laugh flicking back through them and looking at some of the things i'd drawn  ;D


You should definitely hang onto those Michael, they're good to look back on in future years. ;)

Some old magazines, 80's Michael Jackson posters,Caps and Hats and porn. :o


I just can't seem to throw them away. ;D

You should definitely hang onto those Michael, they're good to look back on in future years. ;)


Yes, I could never throw away drawings - those have more value than a silly magazine or poster.

I have some old Michael Jackson posters but just can't seem to throw them away.

I am still going through a hoard of magazines I've been collecting for about 11 years. Now, what I do is rip the covers off - rip out the articles I like and save them in a binder. It's still pack rat like behavoir, but at least it's condensed.  ;)


I began doing that as well. I had massive amounts of magazines cluttering up my house.  If I read a magazine and see something I want to save, I tear it right out.

I've got three large boxes of comics from the early-mid 90s when I still collected comics.  Those have to go soon to.  Those are the worst, because you know some of them are worth more than nothing, and would be best to go up on ebay.  Yet, the time spent researching them is going to be rather large (since they aren't sorted).

I'm a pack rat, but I'm not nearly as bad as my dad!  ;D

I also have magazines from 1982.  :o

Yes, I could never throw away drawings - those have more value than a silly magazine or poster.


Yeap I have two very basic line drawings of my first boyfriend, I made as a nineteen year old  - I treasure them...and remember how I felt back then. You really can't replace that.

I also have magazines from 1982.  :o


Wow, those are the same age as me. Those would be fun to look at.

If you think you're bad, my grandma still has canned corn and veggies from the 1950s nicely preserved in her basement. Also in that basement, my grandpa has a whole room of videos stored as well as old TV guides and old sewing machines. Their basement is like stepping back in time.

Birthday Cards

Wow, those are the same age as me. Those would be fun to look at.

If you think you're bad, my grandma still has canned corn and veggies from the 1950s nicely preserved in her basement. Also in that basement, my grandpa has a whole room of videos stored as well as old TV guides and old sewing machines. Their basement is like stepping back in time.



Penny Power magazines were from 1982

Wow, those are the same age as me. Those would be fun to look at.

If you think you're bad, my grandma still has canned corn and veggies from the 1950s nicely preserved in her basement. Also in that basement, my grandpa has a whole room of videos stored as well as old TV guides and old sewing machines. Their basement is like stepping back in time.


TV Guides from the 80s or earlier are worth some money depending on the condition. People generally threw them away, so the old ones became worth something.  I actually have a complete set of the 1980s issues.  Not sure why I bothered collecting them though.  I figured they were good for research on the 80s website, but have never done much with them.

I use to save magazine subscription cards because I thought they made good bookmarks, then they became sentimental to me because I was so use to using them even though to someone else, they were a worthless piece of junk.

This is something I would do.  I'm getting better though.

I am still going through a hoard of magazines I've been collecting for about 11 years. Now, what I do is rip the covers off - rip out the articles I like and save them in a binder. It's still pack rat like behavoir, but at least it's condensed.  ;)


This though, is something I have never done.  That's alot of paper.  But you're right, at least you're condensing it  ???

TV Guides from the 80s or earlier are worth some money depending on the condition. People generally threw them away, so the old ones became worth something.  I actually have a complete set of the 1980s issues.  Not sure why I bothered collecting them though.  I figured they were good for research on the 80s website, but have never done much with them.

Yeah also other things I think are good to collect are glossy brochures for quality housing sites and any paraphernalia for cars and such. When I worked in London I used to pick up loads of beautifully produced brochures for new builds/converted warehouses etc, I think they'll be good to look back on in years to come.

Yes, I am a packrat. But, I have decided that it is time to get rid of a lot of stuff. I have a big box of stuff animals that I had as a kid (these do not go). I have just about every card and letter that was ever sent to me since I was about 15 or so (some earlier). I even have notes from friends that we used to pass back and forth in school. I did tell Carlos that the cards and letters are NOT going. I also have a bunch of magizines that I am meaning to get rid of but just haven't yet. (I did reciently get rid of one box worth).  I also have a really bad box fetish. For some strange reason, I love boxes and save the boxes that stuff come in. However, I am finding with some things, some people prefer to have to boxes so for resale value, that is a good thing. I am trying but it is taking a long time.




Cat

Old Clothes

I've managed to get rid of two boxes of baby clothes to a friend and a bag of clothing and a bag of books to a charity shop.  Plus I threw some toys out when I was tidying the lounge.  The kids haven't asked for them yet!

I can't part with anything I have atm, not even old and disused paper-clips (well, maybe not that bad)...But I'm something of a hoarder, just need more space for my hoarding habit...

i heard a thing in the paper about a woman who had 40,000 wishbones. and then there was the woman in this area who had more than 300 cats.

compulsive hoarding is interesting. it's an interesting phenomenon.

i heard a thing in the paper about a woman who had 40,000 wishbones. and then there was the woman in this area who had more than 300 cats.

compulsive hoarding is interesting. it's an interesting phenomenon.


I agree.  With all the odd disorders you hear about, it's incredible that any of us get anything accomplished.

I agree.  With all the odd disorders you hear about, it's incredible that any of us get anything accomplished.


hijack the thread a second...
eveyone had these disorders before they had names and people did more physical work and labored more to earn a living than us lazy computer oriented folk.  now that they have names, everyone recognises the disorders in themselves and i think it's disabling.

hmmm...worth a thread?

I was a horrendous horder until I moved in with my other half, now his hording puts mine in the shade without a doubt ! It has helped me because it drives me nuts and I am alot more ruthless with getting rid of stuff now. I still have tons of 'stuff' though.

Another thing I read was with clothes sort them into three piles one 'definate' one 'maybe' and one 'chuckout' then get rid of the maybe and the chuckout !

hijack the thread a second...
eveyone had these disorders before they had names and people did more physical work and labored more to earn a living than us lazy computer oriented folk.  now that they have names, everyone recognises the disorders in themselves and i think it's disabling.

hmmm...worth a thread?


Yes.  I'll start one now.

i heard a thing in the paper about a woman who had 40,000 wishbones. and then there was the woman in this area who had more than 300 cats.

compulsive hoarding is interesting. it's an interesting phenomenon.



We usually have a lot of wishbones. In our kitchen, we have a peg board that we keep mugs, cooking utencils and other stuff on. Whenever we get a wishbone, we put it up there to dry before "wishing" on it. But we always forget that they are there. One time I noticed we had about 5 or so. So we wished on them and then threw them out.  ;D



Cat

I'm not a hoarder.  I'll throw anything away the second I realize I don't need it.  That's probably the only good thing about moving every two - three years, you're forced to clean out closets and discover all the crap that's hanging around too long.

I'm not a hoarder.  I'll throw anything away the second I realize I don't need it.  That's probably the only good thing about moving every two - three years, you're forced to clean out closets and discover all the crap that's hanging around too long.
Ahh but that is my theory as to why I am a horder.My dad was in the R.A.F so we moved constantly and my theory is that I started to hang onto all my stuff because that stayed the same when everything else was changing. Well I thought it was a good excuse anyway. ;D 

Ahh but that is my theory as to why I am a horder.My dad was in the R.A.F so we moved constantly and my theory is that I started to hang onto all my stuff because that stayed the same when everything else was changing. Well I thought it was a good excuse anyway. ;D 


;D

Actually, it is a good excuse!

If my socks have a hole in them, no matter how small, I will throw
the socks out immediately. Other than that I won't throw anything
away. I still have a half of a bowling ball that I found when I was a kid.
Deer antlers I found on the side of the road, and a whole lot of sweat-
shirts with holes in them.The sweatshirts I keep, the socks, trash.

I keep useless stuff for a couple years, and then just throw it away when I have too much...


Then it starts over again...

My mom saves plastic spoons and forks. I tell her, mom throw them away, that's what they're for, so you don't have to wash them, but nope, she still washes them and then buys more next time we have family picnic.  :-\\

My mom saves plastic spoons and forks. I tell her, mom throw them away, that's what they're for, so you don't have to wash them, but nope, she still washes them and then buys more next time we have family picnic.  :-\\



My Dad used to (I don't know if he still does) reuse paper cups. After using them, he would rinse them out.  ::)




Cat

Chris' aunt is like that....she reuses everything (paper/styrofoam plates, plastic silverware, plastic cups, plastic butter containers, etc)....I dunno, to me it is just easier to buy new ones at the store....they are pretty cheap.

My Dad used to (I don't know if he still does) reuse paper cups. After using them, he would rinse them out.  ::)




Cat

She also saves plastic margarine bowls, which she passed on to me, they're handy for leftovers.  :-[

She also saves plastic margarine bowls, which she passed on to me, they're handy for leftovers.  :-[



Guilty. I do that. When I lived alone, I used to get Crock Spread and those bowls were great-microwavable and all. But, since moving in with Carlos-he likes REAL butter so we don't get those bowls anymore and the ones we still have are slowly dying. I think we only have about 2 left. But I still reuse cottage cheese containers but they aren't as big as the margarine ones.




Cat

Guilty. I do that. When I lived alone, I used to get Crock Spread and those bowls were great-microwavable and all. But, since moving in with Carlos-he likes REAL butter so we don't get those bowls anymore and the ones we still have are slowly dying. I think we only have about 2 left. But I still reuse cottage cheese containers but they aren't as big as the margarine ones.




Cat


You can now get Land O Lakes butter in one of those bowls. It's real butter, but just in a bowl.  Then Carlos can say, "I Cawn't Believe It's Butta" when you give it to him :0)  ;D

Last night, before I left for school, I dumped about a foot and a half of my wardrobe to give away to charity.  :o

It's so much nicer now because I know exactly what I want to wear. No more digging through filler  ;D

i heard a thing in the paper about a woman who had 40,000 wishbones. and then there was the woman in this area who had more than 300 cats.

compulsive hoarding is interesting. it's an interesting phenomenon.


I love to watch Animal Cops/Precinct on Animal Planet, I remember once they showed some guy's house, I think he had 249 cats.  It was horrendous, there was feces and urine everywhere.  I have one cat and I know how stinky the litter box gets...could you imagine your house being one giant litter box.

My grandfather used to save used tin foil and coffee cans. 

I have a problem throwing away clothes.  I just need to go thru all my stuff and toss everything too small (which is a lot  :\'( ) and stuff I haven't worn in a long time. 

My grandfather used to save used tin foil and coffee cans. 

I have a problem throwing away clothes.  I just need to go thru all my stuff and toss everything too small (which is a lot  :\'( ) and stuff I haven't worn in a long time. 


I can throw away clothes.  But I can't throw away cardboard or large plastic containers.  I keep thinking I'll have a use for them.  Plus, they're awkward to throw away.  I know that's weird but it's true.  They don't quite fit in the trash can.  (like larger cardboard boxes...like shoe boxes.  Or containers like...the laundry detergent bottles or my coffee cans.  I have to throw them away but it's stressful.  I think I'm nuts.  :D

My grandfather used to save used tin foil and coffee cans. 

I have a problem throwing away clothes.  I just need to go thru all my stuff and toss everything too small (which is a lot  :\'( ) and stuff I haven't worn in a long time. 


It's really hard for me to rid of clothes, too. Last night was like some sort of liberation. It was sad, but felt refreshing. I realised that I couldn't fit in most of the T-shirts or some of them were just too "teenage" like to wear to work or elsewhere. But, as I kept sifting through them, I kept remembering the times when I heavily wore those items. It was hard, but since I'm moving in a month, I guess I need to condense or my boyfriend may take me for a total shopaholic and realise why my credit cards got jacked up, lol  ;D

I need to seriously clear out some of my clothes.  I've bought some new t-shirts and jumpers recently but there is no room in the drawers for them.  Time to throw out some stuff that I hardly ever wear I think.  Does anyone want a navy cardigan witha pattern of white ducks around the shoulder?

It's really hard for me to rid of clothes, too. Last night was like some sort of liberation. It was sad, but felt refreshing. I realised that I couldn't fit in most of the T-shirts or some of them were just too "teenage" like to wear to work or elsewhere. But, as I kept sifting through them, I kept remembering the times when I heavily wore those items. It was hard, but since I'm moving in a month, I guess I need to condense or my boyfriend may take me for a total shopaholic and realise why my credit cards got jacked up, lol  ;D

Ok this may be a bit sad but could be an idea for you to use too. I had a load of band t-shirts that I never wore anymore but couldn't bear to throw out because of the memories etc.So what I did was buy a big scrap book and cut out the pictures from the front and the tour dates from the back and mounted them in the scrap book. I now have one book of t-shirt memories in place of a whole drawer of shirts. :)

I need to seriously clear out some of my clothes.  I've bought some new t-shirts and jumpers recently but there is no room in the drawers for them.  Time to throw out some stuff that I hardly ever wear I think.  Does anyone want a navy cardigan witha pattern of white ducks around the shoulder?

How does that happen?? I had a massive clearout of clothes, with three bags to the charity shop and another load I sold on Ebay and I *Still* can't fit everything in my wardrobe or drawers................. 

How does that happen?? I had a massive clearout of clothes, with three bags to the charity shop and another load I sold on Ebay and I *Still* can't fit everything in my wardrobe or drawers.................   


It's time to move to a bigger place.

Part of my problem is that we moved from a bedroom with masses of storage space to one with hardly any!

Ok this may be a bit sad but could be an idea for you to use too. I had a load of band t-shirts that I never wore anymore but couldn't bear to throw out because of the memories etc.So what I did was buy a big scrap book and cut out the pictures from the front and the tour dates from the back and mounted them in the scrap book. I now have one book of t-shirt memories in place of a whole drawer of shirts. :)




wow, if you would have just sold those on Ebay...you could have made a TON of money....people go wild for old band/concert t-shirts. :o

I would love to be able to go through people's things and organize them, etc.....and maybe collect stuff from people that they no longer want. ;)

I would love to be able to go through people's things and organize them, etc.....and maybe collect stuff from people that they no longer want. ;)


People would pay you to do that.  And then you could sell their excess stuff on ebay.  You'll be rich! ;)

I would love to be able to go through people's things and organize them, etc.....and maybe collect stuff from people that they no longer want. ;)
You should do it. There are companies in the U.K that do just that, there's big money in it apparently.

wow, if you would have just sold those on Ebay...you could have made a TON of money....people go wild for old band/concert t-shirts. :o
I did think about it but most of them had such good memories attached I couldn't bear to part with them.Thus speaks a hoarder !  ;D

People would pay you to do that.  And then you could sell their excess stuff on ebay.  You'll be rich! ;)



You should do it. There are companies in the U.K that do just that, there's big money in it apparently.


I am definitely gonna try this eBay thing, crikey I spend so much time online I might aswell get rid of my stuff and make a bit cash. Must look into it sometime.

People would pay you to do that.  And then you could sell their excess stuff on ebay.  You'll be rich! ;)




You should do it. There are companies in the U.K that do just that, there's big money in it apparently.




I should try the organizing things...yes, I have heard of "professional organizers".......I already do the Ebay thing (sell for people)...now all I need to do is organize their stuff and then sell the "junk" for them! ;)

You can now get Land O Lakes butter in one of those bowls. It's real butter, but just in a bowl.  Then Carlos can say, "I Cawn't Believe It's Butta" when you give it to him :0)  ;D



The thing is HE does the shopping so he gets what he wants.




Cat

COME ON OVER!!! ;D


Yeah.  Me too.  You can come and organize my stuff and then I'll write you a glowing letter of recommendation!  PLEASE!  ;D

I should try the organizing things...yes, I have heard of "professional organizers".......I already do the Ebay thing (sell for people)...now all I need to do is organize their stuff and then sell the "junk" for them! ;)


I bought a book by a person who does that for a living.  You know what they do? They make you go through all your stuff, and identify things you can get rid of.  Then when the pile of stuff you have to keep is smaller, they arrange it nicely for you.

I bought a book by a person who does that for a living.  You know what they do? They make you go through all your stuff, and identify things you can get rid of.  Then when the pile of stuff you have to keep is smaller, they arrange it nicely for you.



Sounds like what they do on Clean Sweep.




Cat

I bought a book by a person who does that for a living.  You know what they do? They make you go through all your stuff, and identify things you can get rid of.  Then when the pile of stuff you have to keep is smaller, they arrange it nicely for you.


Yep.  that's what I need. I can't do it by myself.  I need a Director of Cleaning and Organizing to come in and make me to it and then set everything up nicely like you say.  I'd pay for that.  But it has to be someone nice who won't make fun of me for being so mess (unlike what they do on "What Not To Wear" when they thoroughly insult everything you own).

I should try the organizing things...yes, I have heard of "professional organizers".......I already do the Ebay thing (sell for people)...now all I need to do is organize their stuff and then sell the "junk" for them! ;)


Have you seen "The 40 Year Old Virgin"?  Do what she does, only from your house... ;)

Have you seen "The 40 Year Old Virgin"?  Do what she does, only from your house... ;)



no, I haven't seen that movie yet...enlighten me! ;)

no, I haven't seen that movie yet...enlighten me! ;)


OK, I reread your earlier post, and essentially, you do what she does.  She has an ebay store where she collects things from people to sell on ebay.  She rents out the store front, but doesn't sell anything there.  She just collects the stuff there, stores it there, and sells it on ebay.  Some kid keeps trying to buy a pair of boots from her store.

The movie is pretty funny if you like that type.

OK, I reread your earlier post, and essentially, you do what she does.  She has an ebay store where she collects things from people to sell on ebay.  She rents out the store front, but doesn't sell anything there.  She just collects the stuff there, stores it there, and sells it on ebay.  Some kid keeps trying to buy a pair of boots from her store.

The movie is pretty funny if you like that type.




sounds very cool....I will have to rent the movie and check it out! 8)

I was going to make a new thread, but then I found this one.

I am a total packrat.  I generally hate it, because I run out of room for things... but the bright side is that when I am looking for something, I don't really have to worry that I might have thrown it out. :D


I don't think my problem is really so much that I hate getting rid of stuff, it's just less of a hassle to shove something into the closet than to try to figure out what is recyclable and what isn't, and then to try to make room in the garbage bin... I always tell myself I'm gonna just throw away a couple little things every week, but then I forget.

It's really hard to try to throw out a whole bunch of stuff at once, because then either my husband or I have to go to the dump which is expensive and a pain in the a$$.

I have so much stuff to throw away,I just don't know if I can save it all.

Don't throw it all away, sell it on ebay!

Don't throw it all away, sell it on ebay!


or

'Don't throw it all away, I don't wanna be the one who's gonna have to beg you stay'

I have some old adult magazines that date back to 1990.

I'm a pack rat all though not to the extreme of hoarding.

Something I recently discovered, much to my shock, is that I'm a packrat but I really don't need to be.  I mean, I let myself feel oddly comforted in some confusing way that I was surrounded by books, videos, furniture, clothes, and the list goes on.  However, when I moved in October/November, it all had to be dealt with in some manor.  It totally freaked me out.  I thought, it'll be ok, I'll just pack it all up and take it with me, I'll find room for it all in my new place.  Well guess what?  It's 2 months later, and I haven't unpacked 90% of it, I really don't have the room for it, and I am just so completely over the stuff.  Who would have thought that?  I'm telling you, it's been a life revelation!  Also I've been staying at my mom and dad's house in what used to be my bedroom (in the three years before I finally moved out) and while my mom has moved all of her stuff (and stuff of the children she used to babysit) into the room, the organization (and I use that term loosely) is still what it was when I left, except in the first few years after I left, every time that I came to visit, she'd give me a carload of stuff to take with me...

To make a long story short (too late), I have come to realize how crippling this stuff is, that I've felt like I shouldn't get rid of it because... what if I need it later or why did I waste perfectly good money buying it in the first place if I didn't really need it/use it?  It's a guilt thing that I do to myself clearly.  I really could stand to get rid of 90% of it.  I'm just afraid that if I did get rid of it, that I'd want to fill the space with new crap, since that is the way that I'm used to living. 

Something I recently discovered, much to my shock, is that I'm a packrat but I really don't need to be.  I mean, I let myself feel oddly comforted in some confusing way that I was surrounded by books, videos, furniture, clothes, and the list goes on.  However, when I moved in October/November, it all had to be dealt with in some manor.  It totally freaked me out.  I thought, it'll be ok, I'll just pack it all up and take it with me, I'll find room for it all in my new place.  Well guess what?  It's 2 months later, and I haven't unpacked 90% of it, I really don't have the room for it, and I am just so completely over the stuff.  Who would have thought that?  I'm telling you, it's been a life revelation!  Also I've been staying at my mom and dad's house in what used to be my bedroom (in the three years before I finally moved out) and while my mom has moved all of her stuff (and stuff of the children she used to babysit) into the room, the organization (and I use that term loosely) is still what it was when I left, except in the first few years after I left, every time that I came to visit, she'd give me a carload of stuff to take with me...

To make a long story short (too late), I have come to realize how crippling this stuff is, that I've felt like I shouldn't get rid of it because... what if I need it later or why did I waste perfectly good money buying it in the first place if I didn't really need it/use it?  It's a guilt thing that I do to myself clearly.  I really could stand to get rid of 90% of it.  I'm just afraid that if I did get rid of it, that I'd want to fill the space with new crap, since that is the way that I'm used to living. 


It sounds like you need to wait until the weather warms up a little and then have a yard sale (or whatever they are called near you!) to clear everything out and get some cash back.  Then enjoy your new place for a while and seriously think about each purchase of 'stuff'.  Will I use it,  Do I already own something similar (probably not after a clear out!),  Does it 'go' with other things in my home.

I used to save some very old Penny Power magazines dated back to 1982.

Over the Christmas Holiday I saw my collection of MAD magazines, I can not still part with them.

Recently I changed my address to an apt.!  There is only so much stuff a person can put in these apts.  So, I walked away from who knows how many books that I had inherited (sentimental value) and some antiques and most of everything else, but...one room is still crowded with stuff.

Maybe we should consider that show "Clean House" they come in, sell everything and do your house over, furnishings and all.  They're in Ca. snoz and nally (hint).  Think, we would all get to see you on tv...not to mention your stuff....I can just hear me now....snoz, I'll buy that from you for $$. http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/04/elkgrin.gif

Over the Christmas Holiday I saw my collection of MAD magazines, I can not still part with them.



I have some MAD magazines from 20 years ago and plus some CRACKED magazines as well.