Decluttering VS. Dehoarding
Ok, so dehoarding is not a real word. My point of that statement though is about how much much information is available out there for hoarders. I have searched extensively and not found an overwhelming amount of articles on hoarding. I did find a few. But look up decluttering and there is no shortage. The most helpful thing I found were some forums that you could post on and get in touch with others with the same problem. There are a few support groups as well. But what I really wanted was some help or how-to articles.
Have you read anything about how to declutter? I don't need to even reference one of them, I have them memorized. There are different methods--clean the surfaces first, clear the floors first, go in a circle, do one wall at a time. OK. But what do you do with the things? Well, the first thing these articles tell you is to put the items where they belong. So I'm already stuck. The reasons all those things were there was because they had no place to go. Everything seems to be "miscellaneous". Where does that go? What has a place in my home is in it's place, so no help there.
For example, my best friend gave me a cupcake carrier for my birthday. It's cool, but huge. It sat on the counter for a month because I had no room for it anywhere else. Finally, I got tired of it taking up half of the counter (it holds 2 dozen cupcakes) so I rearranged my cabinets and found a place for it. It's way in the back, where I can't see it or barely reach it--but I don't make cupcakes very often and my pots and pans are in front, and those are what I use every day. I squished and stacked the pots more and moved a thing or 2 more to my pot rack. Why didn't I do it sooner? Besides being a procrastinator, I really couldn't think of where to put it. Once I started concentrating, I got it. It wasn't that I couldn't do it, I didn't want to. I didn't want to make the decision. And that's just a cupcake holder.
Here's another strategy that's often used, they do this on the shows too. Get several containers, and label them: 1. throw away 2. donate/give away 3. sell 4. keep/put away. Some give you the option of a "decide later". This is for people who have trouble making decisions or need to get a "gentle" start. This may be essential for hoarders, who have a sentimental attachment to things. I can only get part of the way with this method. I get stuck pretty quick here too. Too many of my things go in the "decide later" box. Sigh. Then there is the "sell" dilemma. Not a good choice for a procrastinator like me. Besides that, if I'm listing it for sale locally, how in the world could I let anyone in my house? Do I wait in the yard for the buyer while we sit outside in the 90+ degree heat? I don't like anyone coming in my house, for good reason. How about a yard sale, you say? Sure, if you're organized. Us hoarders are known for the opposite. Either way, yard sales are a lot of hassle. You gotta price things, have change, pack up or throw out what's left, and in this zone add to that sweat, get sunburned, and possibly have a heat stroke. It's not worth it for me. The only way yard sales work for me is to group up with a friend or a neighbor. Have it at their place, in exchange for your help setting up, cleaning up, worry-free potty breaks, and of course your charming companionship. I no longer "save up" things to sell. Trash or donate are best for me.
So where does that leave you? If you only have a clutter problem, it's not as bad. You are probably just disorganized, or don't have enough space, or you procrastinate. A word of caution, these same traits exist in hoarders, just more severe. I'll write next about how to go beyond "decluttering" and actually pass those mental blocks that inhibit you. Good luck 'til then!
Have you read anything about how to declutter? I don't need to even reference one of them, I have them memorized. There are different methods--clean the surfaces first, clear the floors first, go in a circle, do one wall at a time. OK. But what do you do with the things? Well, the first thing these articles tell you is to put the items where they belong. So I'm already stuck. The reasons all those things were there was because they had no place to go. Everything seems to be "miscellaneous". Where does that go? What has a place in my home is in it's place, so no help there.
For example, my best friend gave me a cupcake carrier for my birthday. It's cool, but huge. It sat on the counter for a month because I had no room for it anywhere else. Finally, I got tired of it taking up half of the counter (it holds 2 dozen cupcakes) so I rearranged my cabinets and found a place for it. It's way in the back, where I can't see it or barely reach it--but I don't make cupcakes very often and my pots and pans are in front, and those are what I use every day. I squished and stacked the pots more and moved a thing or 2 more to my pot rack. Why didn't I do it sooner? Besides being a procrastinator, I really couldn't think of where to put it. Once I started concentrating, I got it. It wasn't that I couldn't do it, I didn't want to. I didn't want to make the decision. And that's just a cupcake holder.
Here's another strategy that's often used, they do this on the shows too. Get several containers, and label them: 1. throw away 2. donate/give away 3. sell 4. keep/put away. Some give you the option of a "decide later". This is for people who have trouble making decisions or need to get a "gentle" start. This may be essential for hoarders, who have a sentimental attachment to things. I can only get part of the way with this method. I get stuck pretty quick here too. Too many of my things go in the "decide later" box. Sigh. Then there is the "sell" dilemma. Not a good choice for a procrastinator like me. Besides that, if I'm listing it for sale locally, how in the world could I let anyone in my house? Do I wait in the yard for the buyer while we sit outside in the 90+ degree heat? I don't like anyone coming in my house, for good reason. How about a yard sale, you say? Sure, if you're organized. Us hoarders are known for the opposite. Either way, yard sales are a lot of hassle. You gotta price things, have change, pack up or throw out what's left, and in this zone add to that sweat, get sunburned, and possibly have a heat stroke. It's not worth it for me. The only way yard sales work for me is to group up with a friend or a neighbor. Have it at their place, in exchange for your help setting up, cleaning up, worry-free potty breaks, and of course your charming companionship. I no longer "save up" things to sell. Trash or donate are best for me.
So where does that leave you? If you only have a clutter problem, it's not as bad. You are probably just disorganized, or don't have enough space, or you procrastinate. A word of caution, these same traits exist in hoarders, just more severe. I'll write next about how to go beyond "decluttering" and actually pass those mental blocks that inhibit you. Good luck 'til then!
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