calling all "junk" or collectors of stuff.....?

Question

I'm going crazy with the stuff that piles up that my husband can't bear to part with...cuz I'm going to use it someday. Are there any cures? What makes a person have to save everything a garage can hold, the basement can hold, and now he's worming his way into the home office? It is starting to make me ill and the stuff isn't easy to get to not to mention all the extra clutter.....tons of books, tools, finds along the road, computer stuff, tapes and dvd's, ratty clothes, and on and on! I never see him get rid of things that he has replaced with a better item. I'm constantly getting rid of my clutter that I roll over when I find something better or it just needs replaced.

Answer 1

You do not say how old your husband is, but I have always called these actions you mentioned as 'The War Baby Syndrome'. 'I'll keep that, you never know when it might come in handy'. Thousands of golf tees, golf balls, old golf clubs, fishing tackle, some in pieces (but the bits may come in handy), old golf shoes (and when I do throw them out, I save the laces). I know exactly how you feel. My wife is the opposite, except for boxes. She saves every box from items, expecially electrical, in case she has to send something back. She has never, ever sent anything back in all our years of marriage. Getting back to the War Baby, I can remember, during and just after the second World War, everything in Ireland was short and yet in demand. Silver paper, cord, rope and twine, old jumpers for the wool, any metal, old newspapers, screws, nuts and bolts............they were all saved by someone or other. Brown Paper for parcels - could not be bought so you went to the brown paper man who would give you as much as you needed, provided when you got a parcel, you gave the wrapping to him. I don't know where it will end, except that every year or two, my wife throws out, without any warning, some of my most 'valuable' items - which I never miss. I tried to work to the rule that if you don't use something within a year, you do not need it - but I can't do it - it might come in useful the year after.............. Take care...............

Answer 2

Compulsive hoarding is a variation of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Often people hoard things as a way of coping with insecurities.

Part of it may simply be a personality trait. Some people just like to collect things and hang on to stuff, and there's really nothing wrong with that. But if it gets to the point where it is interfering with life, there is reason to be concerned.

Compulsive hoarding is a treatable disorder, and there are many therapists out there who can help. This problem is actually quite common in American society, and there are a lot of people going through the same thing. The most difficult part will probably be getting the afflicted person to agree to treatment. Gentle persuasion will likely be more effective than constant complaining about the mess.

One other thing you might try is putting some of the junk in the house up on EBay. You might actually find a way to profit from having all that stuff in the house!

Answer 3

I am a collector. My husband tells me I probably have my first diaper in the attic. I don't understand why I do it. I always say this is the boys I will give it to them when they move out. I have baby clothes, swings, all kinds of things that were my kids. My youngest is 16 now. My therapist tells me it is a way for me to stay with the memories. If it's not that I have no idea, but I am getting better.