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Backstory – Hoarding
It was springtime, and I was getting the urge to change things. I wanted to spruce up the place, make it more colorful, out with the old, in with the new.
When I looked around, I was horrified to realize what I saw. I mentioned it to a neighbor. She admitted to the same horrible condition in her house.
OMG, it must be an epidemic. Or it must be trending. I am frightened. That’s when I wrote this story.
Consider This Show – Hoarding
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Hoarding – #301
Is it a sign of our times that one of the television networks has a series based on Hoarding – the compulsive retention of things that clutter the house even to the point of causing safety concerns.
It is amazing to see hoarding – in reality or on the TV screen; piles of junk and what we would consider trash, flowing off table tops and bureaus and even sleeping places.
Thank goodness most of us don’t get to the state where parting with old magazines causes an emotional melt-down. But if we look around, chance are there are things we have not used for years; clothes that don’t fit, gadgets we don’t use, things that no longer match our lifestyle.
What so many of us do is arrange more space to accommodate these cast-offs. Box them and put them in the attic? Build more shelves or bookcases? Rent a storage locker and pay monthly for the privilege of keeping our STUFF?
Maybe it’s time to look at things a different way. How about parting with this stuff? Ask your adult kids if they want any of it. When they turn you down, have a yard sale. Call a charity. Many will even come and pick it up.
Adopt a mindset of parting with what you don’t need, instead of keeping it or worse still, treasuring it.
They say it’s freeing to give it up. Are you ready to try?
P.S. (After the show…)
Hoarding has to start somewhere. Those piles and rooms full of stuff do not just appear overnight. The key is to keep things from accumulating.
I visited a friend whose spouse had died. It was three days after her demise. In front of their house were 27 large, black trash bags. He explained they were filled with old, overworn and tattered clothes, shoes and purses that his wife should have tossed, years ago. He had wasted no time in seeing that they were removed immediately. He was determined to avoid hoarding, now that he was alone.
It seemed unusual to see belongings discarded so soon after the loss of a loved one, but perhaps he had the right idea.
[Show #301]
Appreciate this radio show topic. I am going through boxes of my mom’s estate stuff that, at her death, I didn’t have the heart to deal with. Much of it is now going, going, gone. For my own children, I want to be wise in what I keep of ours and what I get rid of before they have to. As for some things – things that make me smile; things that are beautiful – I’m pulling them out of boxes and out of the attic and using them in the house. Until they don’t bring me joy. Learning. Your topic was gentle….not the shaming I see in so many of the blogs. I will not be shamed. 🙂 Thanks!
So glad you refuse to be shamed, Deb. Our emotions explode when it comes time to part with treasures. Love letters between my grandmother and her beloved husband before they were married. The white leather gloves she wore for the wedding. The rose from his lapel. Will my great grandson treasure them as much as I did? Maybe so. He will have them, and we’ll find out.
As a child of the Great depression, and survivor of rationing during WW2, value transcends price. What is one man’s trash is another’s treasure. There is value beyond utility. How many lovebirds fly the coop when something more attractive comes along!
Agreed.
OK then.
Ah, Ted, you understand the concept of value. We still practice it. Furnished our entire Florida winter home from auctions and yard sales. It was a delight and folks thought I paid a decorator for it. Our little secret.
Hard to comprehend, I know. Such a burden lifted when it’s clean and fresh. Now how to prevent relapse?
My parents never agreed on this. Dad had lots of collections; mom was a “clear the decks” sort. When dad died, mom cleared out everything the very next trash day. Unfortunately, all dad’s military awards and documents were destroyed. And the huge backyard garden was covered with turf grass before his body was in the ground. Now mom lives her way.
And each of us needs to create their own little abode where they are comfortable and safe. Sounds like you mom found a soft place to land.
Thank you Annette. I really enjoyed reading your message are hoarding. I have watch that many times on TV and it always urged me to go through things again! Ha ha
I’ve known several…including one daughter, and the kids lived in that mess. I’ll ever understand it….
This one is right on. Fortunately, I work in a thrift shop so I periodically go through my closets and shelves and donate things. Trouble is, as my husband remarks, “you take a bag and bring home a bag.” But I promise, it’s always good stuff I need.
Maybe you could go two for one, Terry?
Cathie – A friend just sent me a copy of the notice she has hung throughout her home. Do you need it? Toss it! She says it is helping her remember to get rid of things.